Barbed Wire – May 2, 2025

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

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RCRC-Sponsored CEQA, Vape, and Enforcement Bills Advance

Last week, three RCRC-sponsored measures advanced through policy committees…

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Bill of the Week – Assembly Bill 418 (Wilson): Property Taxation: Tax-Defaulted Property

RCRC, in coalition with our county government partners UCC and CSAC, supports Assembly Bill 418, authored by Assembly Member Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City). This measure preserves the ability of California counties to utilize Chapter 8 sales of tax-defaulted properties….

field of purple flowers

CEQA Wildfire Bills Advance Through Assembly Committee

On April 28, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard and passed two bills that provide California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) relief for wildfire prevention projects…

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America the Beautiful Act Introduced to Extend and Expand National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund

On Thursday April 30, Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Angus King (I-ME) unveiled bipartisan legislation, the America the Beautiful Act, which would reauthorize and expand the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. This measure would increase the legacy restoration fund created

US Capitol in background with flowery trees in the foreground.

House Votes to Overturn California-Specific Environmental Waivers and Rules

This week, the House passed four Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions addressing environmental waivers and rules issued during the Biden administration, each tied to California-specific standards or policy

geological formation closeup

ICYMI: RCRC to Host Webinar May 5: SMGB Mining Ordinance Update Project

Join RCRC and the State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) on May 5th at 10:00 AM for an informative webinar on the statewide effort to update local mining ordinances…

 

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.

California Directs $118.9M in Federal Funds to Enhance Affordable Housing in Rural Areas – Hoodline

The state of California is directing $118.9 million in federal funding to affordable housing projects through a program meant to create over 300 new homes for low-income households.

California’s Labor Market amid Economic Uncertainty – Public Policy Institute of California

While California has regained the jobs lost during the pandemic, uncertainty over inflation, interest rates, and tech sector layoffs casts a shadow on future employment growth.

Rural Californians Fear Medi-Cal Cuts – California Health Care Foundation

In California’s rural communities, where doctor shortages are already common, upcoming Medi-Cal budget cuts could make health care even harder to access.

 

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.