RCRC-sponsored bill, AB 240 (Alanis) is heading to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education on March 18. RCRC is asking for support letters from our counties to help bolster our advocacy efforts. Letters are due by Wednesday, March 12th at 5:00 p.m. RCRC has prepared a template letter…
RCRC is sponsoring Assembly Bill 632, authored by Assembly Member Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara). This measure would enhance local enforcement mechanisms for unlicensed cannabis activities, state housing law violations, and fire hazards by…
In coming months, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold in-person and virtual public forums to receive customer input regarding its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) Proceeding. The COLR proceeding will consider updates and changes to rules that currently require universal access to essential telecommunication services…
On February 14, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved Emergency Regulations adopted by CalRecycle concerning illegal dumping and land application of solid and organic waste.
While supportive of CalRecycle’s efforts to stop illegal and improper land application, RCRC expressed significant concerns about…
The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act (S. 356/H.R. 1383) has been introduced in the 119th Congress amid pressure to act swiftly to avoid significant budget cuts or tax hikes. Attempts to pass SRS legislation in the 118th Congress failed, despite unanimous consent in the Senate in November, and broad bipartisan support in both chambers…
On February 13, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mazie Hirono (D-HI, and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act (S. 602), bipartisan legislation to promote research on how grazing can support wildfire mitigation, fuels reduction, and post-fire recovery…
On February 20, at the direction of Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) initiated a review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA). This review will…
This is the second installment of the RCRC Board Member Spotlight, a recurring feature of the Barbed Wire! The Board Member Spotlight is intended to familiarize subscribers with RCRC Board members, providing insights from their background in public service to their views on pressing rural county issues. RCRC is pleased to introduce the subject of our second Board Member Spotlight, Mariposa County Supervisor and RCRC’s 2025 First Vice Chair, Miles Menetrey…
Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of rural county importance.
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Randall Harr, of Shasta County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Modoc County Superior Court. Harr was a Partner at Maire & Deedon since 2022. He worked at the Law Office of Randall Harr from 2011 to 2022. Harr served as a Partner at Gifford & Harr from 2009 to 2011. He was a Partner at Harr Arthofer & Ayres from 2001 to 2009. Harr worked at Borton Petrini & Conron as a Partner from 1985 to 2000 and an Associate Attorney from 1982 to 1985. Harr received a Juris Doctor degree from McGeorge School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Francis W. Barclay. Harr is registered as no party preference.
Lynda Hopkins, of Sebastopol, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Hopkins has been the Fifth District Supervisor on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors since 2016. She was a Co-Owner at Foggy River Farm from 2008 to 2020. Hopkins was a Reporter at the Sonoma West Times & News from 2009 to 2013. She was the Executive Director at Sonoma County Farm Trails from 2008 to 2010. Hopkins was a Head Teaching Assistant at the Stanford University Earth Systems Program from 2005 to 2007. She is a member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Hopkins earned a Master of Science degree in Earth Systems, a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Systems, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Creative Writing and Poetry from Stanford University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hopkins is a Democrat.
Dawn Ortiz-Legg, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Ortiz-Legg has been the Third District Supervisor on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors since 2020. She was a Right of Way Agent at Pacific Gas and Electric Company from 2018 to 2020. Ortiz-Legg was a Project Manager & Public Affairs Liaison at First Solar from 2010 to 2018. She was North American Sales and Marketing Manager at PTEC Corporation from 1999 to 2010. Ortiz-Legg is a member of the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District. She earned her Master of Public Policy degree in Climate Change and Technology Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Pepperdine University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ortiz-Legg is a Democrat.
Brian Lin Walsh, of Rocklin, has been appointed Principal Labor Relations Officer at the California Department of Human Resources. Lin Walsh has been Director of the Administrative Services Division at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing since 2024. He was Senior Labor Relations Officer at the California Department of Human Resources from 2022 to 2024, and Labor Relations Officer from 2020 to 2022. Lin Walsh was Labor Relations Manager II at the California Department of Motor Vehicles from 2014 to 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. The position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $153,492. Lin Walsh is a Democrat.
Jason Taylor, of Kings County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Tulare County Superior Court. Taylor has worked as a sole practitioner since 2014. He worked at the Tulare County Public Defender Conflict Panel as a Contract Attorney from 2018 to 2025. Taylor served at the Kings County Public Defender’s Office as a Contract Attorney from 2019 to 2022. He worked at the Tulare County Public Defender’s Office as a Deputy Public Defender in 2014. Taylor received a Juris Doctorate degree from the San Joaquin College of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Walter L. Gorlick. Taylor is registered as no party preference.
Joseph Tuggle, of Placerville, has been appointed Warden of Folsom State Prison, where he has been serving as Acting Warden since 2024 and was Chief Deputy Administrator from 2023 to 2024. Tuggle was Acting Chief Deputy Administrator at California Medical Facility from 2022 to 2023. He held several positions at Folsom State Prison from 2000 to 2022, including Correctional Administrator, Correctional Captain, Correctional Lieutenant, Correctional Sergeant, and Correctional Officer. Tuggle was a Correctional Officer at Pelican Bay State Prison from 1998 to 2000. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $193,524. Tuggle is a Republican.
Stephanie Weldon, of McKinleyville, has been appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon has been Chief Operations Officer at United Indian Health Services since 2024. She was the Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs at the California Department of Social Services from 2021 to 2024. Weldon was a Program Associate for the Indian Child Welfare Act and Tribal Social Services Specialist at the Child and Family Institute of California from 2020 to 2021. She was Director of Health and Human Services for the Yurok Tribe from 2019 to 2020. Weldon held several roles at the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services from 2014 to 2019, including Child Welfare Director, Social Services Branch Director, and Deputy Director. She was Director of Social Services for the Yurok Tribe from 2010 to 2013. Weldon is a member of the Yurok Tribe, National Indian Child Welfare Association, and California Department of Public Health Tribal Equity Advisory Group. She earned a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies from Humboldt State University. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $191,868. Weldon is a Democrat.
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.
Local nonprofits like the Central California Food Bank aren’t quite sure what will happen next. “We run a number of programs, specifically in rural areas that could be impacted by that federal spending freeze,”
Rural Americans – particularly men – are expected to live significantly shorter, less healthy lives than their urban counterparts, according to our research, recently published in the Journal of Rural Health.
Plumas County officials are scrambling to help rescue a federal program that has bolstered local schools and roads for over a century. At stake is around $3.4 million in federal funds designated for Plumas County schools and roads through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
Information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties. This report updates in real time.
For a full list of RCRC-tracked legislation, by issue area, use our Legislative Tracking Tool.
