Advocacy News

Stay up to date with the latest news from RCRC’s advocacy team. Your source for legislative and regulatory news impacting California’s rural counties.

Update on Key Trump Administration Appointments

Update on Key Trump Administration Appointments

Last Friday, January 31, Doug Burgum was sworn in as the 55th Secretary of the Interior after being confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 79-18. On his first day in office, Secretary Burgum met with Department leadership, outlined his key priorities, took immediate...

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CPUC Releases Safety Updates for Energy Storage Systems and Electric Generation Facilities

CPUC Releases Safety Updates for Energy Storage Systems and Electric Generation Facilities

On Monday, January 27th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a Draft Resolution (ESRB-13) to enhance the safety and reliability of electric generation and energy storage facilities by updating CPUC General Order 167. The Draft Resolution incorporates two recently passed measures: Senate Bill 38 (Laird, 2023) which mandates Emergency Response and Action Plans for Energy Storage System (ESS) owners; and Senate Bill 1383 (Hueso, 2022) which requires the CPUC to

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Residents and Community Leaders in Monterey and Calaveras Counties Call on CPUC to Award Broadband Funding to GSCA

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is in the process of awarding critical grant funding for broadband deployment through the Federal Funding Account (FFA) Last Mile program. At this time, Monterey and Calaveras counties remain two of the six counties that have not yet been awarded funding and the last two in which Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) has applications. Elected Supervisors and staff members from many GSCA member counties, business and community leaders, and residents sent letters and videos…

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RCRC Priorities a Topic of Discussion During Inaugural Week

RCRC Priorities a Topic of Discussion During Inaugural Week

A number of Supervisors from California counties made the trek to Washington, DC for the inauguration, including RCRC Chair, Supervisor Geri Byrne (Modoc County) and Second Vice-Chair, Bob Nelson (Santa Barbara County). Extending their stay to focus on RCRC county issues, the two Officers met with

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Congressmember Vince Fong Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Fight Wildfires

Congressmember Vince Fong Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Fight Wildfires

On January 14, U.S. Representative Vince Fong (R-CA-20), along with Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), introduced the bipartisan ACERO Act. This legislation authorizes NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project to develop technology for drones to improve wildfire response operations, including in low-visibility conditions where manned aircraft cannot be used.  

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Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 240 (Alanis) – Community Colleges Study

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 240 (Alanis) – Community Colleges Study

The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is sponsoring Assembly Bill 240 (Alanis). This measure would require the Little Hoover Commission to conduct a study evaluating the educational needs and opportunities that exist for the five rural counties that are not included in a California Community College (CCC) district. In 2024, an earlier version of this legislation

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U.S. House Leadership is Urged to Reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program

U.S. House Leadership is Urged to Reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program

On January 16th, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) sent a letter urging House Leadership to immediately prioritize a three-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. The SRS program provides vital funding to address school and infrastructure needs in rural communities that are highly impacted by federal lands and historically relied on timber revenue from those lands.

Last Spring, the final authorized SRS payment was made. Reauthorization was introduced in both chambers of Congress in late July 2023 but was not passed in the 118th Congress. The House bill (H.R. 5030) went nowhere after being referred to committee in the fall of 2023, despite having more than six dozen co-sponsors by the end of 2024…

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RCRC’s Rural Rundown of Governor Newsom’s 2025-26 Proposed Budget

RCRC’s Rural Rundown of Governor Newsom’s 2025-26 Proposed Budget

On Friday, January 10th, Governor Newsom released his Administration’s 2025-26 Proposed Budget. This proposal begins the budget development process between the Governor and Legislature; with the onus on lawmakers who must pass a budget by June 15th for the July 1st start of the 2025-26 fiscal year.  RCRC’s Rural Rundown captures highlights of the proposal as it relates to RCRC member counties…

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Special Feature! Artificial Intelligence in Rural California Counties: Practical Steps for Leaders

Special Feature! Artificial Intelligence in Rural California Counties: Practical Steps for Leaders

Today Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are no longer just futuristic concepts—they are reshaping how local governments operate. From theoretical ideas to practical solutions, tools like ChatGPT are enabling more efficient, impactful public service delivery. In this special feature to the Barbed Wire, Nevada County Information & General Services Agency Director, Steve Monaghan, explores actionable ways to adopt AI, best practices for implementation, and critical considerations for local elected officials.

A Special Feature of the Barbed Wire Newsletter – December 20, 2024 Edition

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GSCA – December 2024 Update

GSCA – December 2024 Update

RCRC-affiliated entity Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) has reached a significant milestone, receiving its first complete Low-Level Design package for the city of Gonzales in Monterey County. This package, developed using LATA Grant funding from the California Public Utilities Commission, will serve as a valuable resource when planning future broadband infrastructure initiatives. This accomplishment marks a crucial step forward in GSCA’s efforts to expand broadband access and connectivity across the state.

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