Oct 03, 2025

Advocacy Federal Government Shutdown Begins: What It Means for Rural Communities

The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., following the rejection of H.R. 5371 in the U.S. Senate. Federal agencies have begun implementing contingency plans, due to a lapse in appropriations. While essential services such as Social Security and Medicare continue, many departments are reducing operations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), which provide critical support to rural areas, are among those affected.

Oct 03, 2025

Advocacy   |   Solid Waste Management Governor Signs RCRC Bill Increasing Funding for Rural CUPAs

On October 1, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 993 (Hadwick), co-sponsored by RCRC and the California Association of Environmental Health Administrators. AB 993 expands eligibility

Oct 03, 2025

Advocacy   |   County Operations Cannabis Equity Grants Announced

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) announced the opening of the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions with $15 million available for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Local jurisdictions can be awarded

Oct 03, 2025

Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Padilla, Schiff Announce Bipartisan Bills to Support Over 2,000 Acres of Tribal Land Management

On September 29, the U.S. Senators of California, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, announced a trio of bipartisan, bicameral bills to promote Tribal management of over 2,000 acres of land in California. The bills would transfer federal land to

Oct 03, 2025

Advocacy   |   Health Care and Social Services Bipartisan Letter Calls on Congressional Leadership to Extend Telehealth Access for Seniors

On September 30, a bipartisan coalition of 70 Members of Congress urged House and Senate leadership to extend telehealth coverage benefits to preserve access

Sep 25, 2025

Solid Waste Management Register Now - SB 54 Plastic Packaging Consultation Webinars Begin September 30

The Circular Action Alliance will kick off its California Consultation Series to engage with California cities, counties, and stakeholders to inform its implementation of the SB 54 single use packaging law

Sep 25, 2025

Solid Waste Management CARB Proposes Major Updates to Landfill Methane Regulation

On September 23, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released proposed regulations updating its existing Landfill Methane Regulation (LRM).  The release begins the formal regulatory process.  Written comments must be submitted by November 10th, and CARB will hold a hearing

Sep 25, 2025

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship USDA Awards Grants to Community Fire Resilience Projects

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $200 million in grant funding for 58 community wildfire resilience projects across the nation. This funding includes nearly $25 million

Sep 25, 2025

Water and Wildlife Congressman Fong Introduces Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act

This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-Bakersfield) introduced the Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act (H.R. 5513), in partnership with Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). This bipartisan bill aims to empower communities to

Sep 12, 2025

Advocacy Like the Energizer Bunny, the Legislature Keeps Going and Going and Going…

The end of session is always chaotic in California’s Legislature: every year seems to bring a slightly different flavor of chaos