Jul 01, 2026

Advocacy RCRC Highlights of Recent State Budget Actions

Over the final days of June, the Legislature acted upon several budget trailer bills before the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year, July 1. While several issues have been addressed by these latest actions, several others remain unresolved and budget negotiations are expected to continue. RCRC has compiled several key highlights of the latest budget actions that impact California’s rural counties. To read RCRC’s July 1, 2026 edition of the State Budget Packet Highlights see HERE.

Jul 01, 2026

Advocacy   |   Community and Economic Development HCD Publishes Tool for Cities and Counties Subject to Streamline Housing Approvals

On Wednesday, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced that the Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process (SMAP) Dashboard is now displaying an updated list of the California cities and counties that are subject to

Jul 01, 2026

Advocacy   |   Community and Economic Development Connect the Valley Launches Digital Inclusion Resource Library

Connect the Valley (CtV) announced the launch of a new online resource on Tuesday that will serve as a centralized hub designed to help residents access nearby digital inclusion tools across multiple counties.

Jul 01, 2026

Advocacy   |   Health Care and Social Services Low-Cost Loans from State Program Available for Health Facilities

The HELP II Loan Program, administered by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) within the State Treasurer’s Office, offers low-cost loans to assist eligible health facilities wanting to expand and improve services to their clients and the greater community

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy   |   Air Quality Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1436 (Ávila Farías) – Private Fleets in Advanced Clean Fleets

RCRC, together with the California Renewable Transportation Alliance, as well as other local government and solid waste stakeholders, is supporting Assembly Bill 1436 authored by Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (D-Martinez)

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Releases Draft Action Plan

Earlier this month, the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released its draft Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Action Plan (2026-2031). Announcing its release, the Task Force states

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy   |   Community and Economic Development Adaption Planning Grant Program Round 1 Concludes

On Tuesday June 23, the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) announced Round 1 of the Adaption Planning Grant Program (APGP) has closed. The program invested $8 million across 14 projects meant to address

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy   |   Community and Economic Development NACO Issues Update and Action Alert for Signing of Bipartisan Housing Bill Awaiting Presidential Signature

​On Wednesday, the National Association of Counties sent an Action Alert regarding the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644)

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy U.S. Senate Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill Text

On June 24, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the Senate draft of the Farm Bill, marking the beginning of formal Senate consideration of the legislation ahead of an expected committee markup next month. At a high level

Jun 26, 2026

Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship DOI Announces $733 Million in 2026 PILT Funding

On June 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that more than 1,900 state and local governments will receive a combined $733 million through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for 2026