Barbed Wire – March 7, 2025

The weekly newsletter of RCRC and your source for legislative and regulatory news impacting California’s rural counties.

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RCRC Delegation Visits Washington D.C

Last week, RCRC delegates engaged in productive discussions in Washington D.C. as they met with Congress Members and Federal Agency leaders on Capitol Hill, to raise awareness of challenges and opportunities in California’s rural communities

lightbulbs batteries and thermometer scattered on wooden table

Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 501 (Allen) - Household Hazardous Waste Producer Responsibility

RCRC is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 501, authored by Senator Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) with the National Stewardship Action Council.  This measure establishes an extended producer responsibility program for manufacturers of certain types of products that become household hazardous wastes

Yellow caution sign set against blue sky with clouds

Governor Waives CEQA and Coastal Act for Authorized Fuel Management Projects While Legislators Introduce Multiple Bills Aimed at Long-Lasting Regulatory Relief

On March 1, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a wildfire-related state of emergency to reduce regulatory barriers for wildfire risk reduction and community protection projects

wooden blocks with letters on them set in front of a blurred background

Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform Releases Final Report

On March 4, the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform released its final report containing recommendations to reduce red tape and expedite housing, energy, water, and transportation projects. RCRC submitted extensive recommendations in December 2024

pen writing a letter

Legislators Urge State to Extend Sunset for Key Program Supporting Small Biomass Facilities

On March 4, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and ten other legislators sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) urging the CPUC to “extend and fully implement” the BioMAT program

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Join GO-Biz to Discuss Battery Energy Storage Permitting

On Wednesday, March 26, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is hosting a webinar bringing together state and local planning authorities and other industry leaders to discuss Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) permitting

the word "Vision" on top of a road with fields beside and distant mountains awash in the light of the rising sun

Secretary Rollins Previews Her Vision for Restoring Rural Prosperity at NACo

On March 4, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered remarks to hundreds of local leaders at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington DC…

 

dictionary page under green highlighter

Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act Introduced in U.S. House

On March 5, Congress Members Doug LaMalfa (R-Butte), Mike Thompson (D-Napa), Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), and Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) introducedthe Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act

 

USDA Forest Service logo on green bag sits on top of American flag

USDA Forest Service Leadership Transition

On March 3, the USDA Forest Service (USFS) experienced a significant leadership transition. Chief Randy Moore has retired after a tenure of four and a half decades with the Forest Service. Moore is succeeded by

 

stacked timber with forest in the background

President Trump Issues Executive Order on Timber Production

On March 1, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order to stimulate U.S. timber production. The order directs

 

Bulletin Board

Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of rural county importance.

Weekly News Clips

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.

Even in wet years, wells are still dry. Why replenishing California’s groundwater is painfully slow – The Mendocino Voice

After abundant rain and moderate snowfall this year in the northern half of the state, California’s largest reservoirs are holding more than 120% of their historical average. But underground, the state’s supply of water for drinking and irrigating crops remains depleted.

 

California Rice and Wildlife Report Released – Morning Ag Clips

From ducks and cranes to giant garter snakes and salmon, flooded rice fields in California’s Central Valley offer important — often vital — habitat to many wildlife species. Yet uncertainties around crop markets, water and climate can prompt some growers to fallow rice fields or change their management practices.

 

Residents near a fire at a California lithium battery plant worry about their health – National Public Radio

In January, a lithium-ion battery-storage plant in Monterey County, California, caught fire and burned for days, prompting evacuations and school shutdowns. Residents are concerned about their health.

Legislative Update

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.