On June 18, 2025, the Senate approved the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization (SRS) Act (S. 356). This bipartisan measure, reintroduced earlier this year by Senators Crapo (R-ID), Wyden (D-OR), Risch (R-ID), and Merkley (D-OR), would reauthorize the Secure Rural...
On Thursday, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) announced that they have completed their review of the first forward-looking wildfire risk model for use by insurers in setting rates for property insurance. The Verisk Wildfire Model underwent a six-month...
RCRC Ad Hoc Advisory Committees play an important role in the periodic review and consideration of issues impacting our rural counties. This year, RCRC currently has three active Ad Hoc Advisory Committees, with a proposal for a fourth anticipated in the coming...
On July 22, Congress Member Vince Fong (D-Bakersfield) was joined by 8 other members of California’s Congressional Republican delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, urging that the $4 billion recently recovered from...
In a letter of July 22, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to ensure the agency delivers disaster assistance from the American Relief Act of 2025 to California farmers. In the letter, the Senator emphasized...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. Convenience operators face underground storage tank deadline – CSP RCRC’s Senior Policy Advocate...
Registration is now open for RCRC’s 2025 Annual Meeting! The conference will be held September 17–19, 2025 at the Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley (Placer County). This year’s program will feature experts discussing a wide range of topics from programs for...
RCRC supports Senate Bill 547, authored by Senator Sasha Renee Pérez (D-Alhambra). This measure extends the moratorium on insurance non-renewals for residential properties located in a ZIP Code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter for one year after the...
Earlier this week, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) released its Annual Progress Report to update stakeholders on the status of California’s efforts to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and water by the year 2030, also known as...
Early Friday morning, Congress narrowly passed the $9 billion dollar rescissions package with a vote of 216-213 in the House, and 51-48 in the Senate. The package now heads to the President’s desk for signature.  The package rescinds $9 billion in unobligated funds...
On July 11, U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral CONNECT for Health Act, which would expand telehealth access for millions of...
On July 16, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has terminated approximately $4 billion in unspent federal funding for California’s High Speed Rail project.  At its inception, the project was intended to be...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Henry Nutt III, of American Canyon, has been reappointed to the Contractors State Licensing Board where he has served since 2024. Nutt has been a Preconstruction Executive...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. Weather Service cuts are harming agriculture, worsening wildfire danger, California senators say – Los...
Assembly Bill 531, authored by Assembly Member Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), seeks to usurp local land use authority for smaller geothermal energy projects under 50MW by allowing developers to bypass local governments and seek approval through the California Energy...
When the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) was signed into law on July 4th, several RCRC priorities were left on the cutting floor. RCRC continues to push for the following federal priorities: Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Although Secure Rural Schools (SRS)...
As part of a coordinated push to streamline environmental permitting, the Departments of the Interior, Energy, and Agriculture each issued revised National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. These reforms—driven by President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. California thins its forests, then burns the wood. Is there a better way? – Sacramento Bee In...
On Monday, June 30, Governor Newsom signed the package of bills that make up the 2025 State Budget, which took effect immediately upon signature. A number of details remain to be worked out through subsequent legislative action throughout the summer. While the 2025-26...
2024 Photo Contest Winner – Lisa Wilhelmi Perkins RCRC’s 9th Annual Rural County Photo Contest launched on July 1, 2025.  The contest invites individuals to share captivating images that showcase the incredible diversity, breathtaking scenery, vibrant activities, rich...
Senate Bill 769, authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), seeks to establish the Golden State Infrastructure Corporation within the State Treasurer’s Office to offer flexible financing solutions for infrastructure projects throughout California. Specifically,...
On June 30, the Legislature passed and Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 131, which is a budget trailer bill that makes numerous changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Responding to widespread criticism about CEQA misuse and delays, Senator Scott...
After an overnight vote-a-rama, the U.S. Senate narrowly advanced the budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a 50–50 tie early Tuesday morning. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) were the only...
As reconciliation legislation moves toward final passage, attention is beginning to shift to other bipartisan priorities—including the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) reauthorization. On June 18, the Senate unanimously approved the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act...
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities. GSNR to Revise DEIR to Reflect a Reduced-Scale Forest Resiliency Project In accordance with the California...
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. Governor Newsom Signs Broadest CEQA Reform Ever To Boost Affordability & Cut Red Tape – Senator...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties. Henry Nutt III, of American Canyon, has been reappointed to the Contractors State Licensing Board where he has served since 2024. Nutt has been a Preconstruction Executive...
Earlier this week, maps began to surface that showed at least 2 million acres of potential USDA Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands that could be liquidated as part of the Senate version of the “Big, Beautiful Budget Bill.” It...
Assembly Bill 28, authored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita), seeks to create a temperature monitoring and reporting regime for landfills.  Specifically, AB 28 would require landfill operators to continuously monitor and notify the community of...
On June 14, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee released the text and section-by-section summary of its reconciliation proposal. The proposal includes Medicaid cuts that are significantly deeper than those in the House-passed version (H.R. 1). Of great potential impact...
Sarah Dukett
Senior Policy Advocate
Leigh Kammerich
Senior Policy Advocate
John Kennedy
Senior Policy Advocate
Staci Heaton
Senior Policy Advocate
Tracy Rhine
Senior Policy Advocate
Eric Will
Policy Advocate
Mary-Ann Warmerdam
Senior Vice President Governmental Affairs