Aug 13, 2026

Advocacy Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees Act on Nearly 700 Bills

In simultaneous hearings on August 13, the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees acted on nearly 700 bills on their respective suspense files. RCRC has compiled a recap of the actions of the Appropriations Committees on notable measures

Aug 13, 2026

Water and Wildlife Comment Period on Proposed Mussel Regulations Ends Tuesday

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has published the Notice of Proposed Action to amend sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2 to Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR). Amendments include management measures for watercraft removed from invasive mussel infested waters, such as

Aug 13, 2026

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Governor Announces State Parks’ Fourth Grade Pass Available for 2026-27 School Year

On Wednesday, August 12, Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom announced the Free Fourth Grade Pass, offering unlimited access to 54 participating state parks. Passes can be downloaded through ReserveCalifornia.

Aug 13, 2026

Advocacy   |   Public Safety and Emergency Management Congress Sends Disaster Tax Relief Legislation to President’s Desk

On August 7, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act (H.R. 5366), sending the bipartisan legislation to the President’s desk

Aug 13, 2026

Advocacy U.S. Senate Confirms Glen Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development

On August 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed Glen R. Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development by a vote of 51–47. As Under Secretary, Smith will oversee

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   County Operations State Controller’s Office Issues Draft Claiming Instructions for New Reimbursable State-Mandated Programs

The State Controller’s Office (SCO) has circulated the draft claiming instructions for two newly adopted test claims for reimbursable state-mandated programs

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   Air Quality Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 35 (Alvarez) – Administrative Procedure Act Exemption for Prop 4 (Climate Bond) Funds

RCRC supported Assembly Bill 35, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), which was signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 16th. This measure will exempt Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) funding from

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   County Operations Additional Election Funding Made Available to Counties for Expedited November Vote Counting

A letter, issued on August 4, 2026, by the Department of Finance shared that $34 million dollars has been allocated to counties to expedite the vote counting process and to provide voter outreach and education for the November 3, 2026, statewide general election

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   Agriculture U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Marks Up Farm Bill 2.0

On August 6, the Senate Agriculture Committee marked up the Agricultural Act of 2026, but a motion to report the bill failed 10- 11. Rather than adjourn the meeting, Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) recessed the Committee, subject to the call of the Chair, preserving the option to hold another vote after the August recess

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   County Operations U.S. Senate Funding Bill Would Temporarily Narrow Hemp THC Ban

The Senate’s stopgap funding bill (H.R. 6500), which would fund federal agencies through December 11, would also provide a temporary reprieve from the upcoming prohibition on most hemp-derived THC products. The ban was enacted late last year through