Oct 16, 2026
Advocacy RCRC 2026 Legislative Digest Provides Guide to Latest Legislation Impacting California's Rural CountiesOn September 30, 2026, Governor Newsom completed final action on bills sent to him by the Legislature for 2025-2026 session. Of the 1,160 bills sent to his desk in 2026, the Governor signed 1,040 and...
Oct 16, 2026
Advocacy | Public Safety and Emergency Management Proposed EMSA Regulations Would Reshape Local EMS AdministrationThe California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) has proposed a comprehensive update to regulations governing the administration of local emergency medical services (EMS) systems. The package addresses a wide range of issues, including local EMS...
Oct 16, 2026
Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program Through Fiscal Year 2029On September 30, 2026, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. 5608), to extend the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, through fiscal year (FY) 2029. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2026
Oct 16, 2026
Advocacy | Health Care and Social Services CMS Releases First Rural Health Transformation Program Obligated Funds ReportOn October 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its first report on state obligations under the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. California obligated the largest dollar amount of any state
Oct 09, 2026
Advocacy | Water and Wildlife California Expands Swiftwater Rescue Capacity Ahead of Winter Storm SeasonOn Thursday, October 8, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of new swiftwater rescue vehicles, boats and specialized equipment to 13 local fire departments across California, part of an effort to strengthen the state’s preparedness for flooding and other water emergencies ahead of the winter storm season
Oct 09, 2026
Advocacy | Water and Wildlife USDA-NRCS Announces 2027 Application Period for Regional Conservation Partnership Program in CaliforniaThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California has announced an application period for projects seeking funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) during the 2027 program cycle.
Oct 02, 2026
Advocacy Governor Newsom Concludes Action on Legislative Proposals Advanced in 2025-26 Regular SessionOn September 30, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom finished taking action on legislative proposals advanced by the Legislature in the 2025-26 Regular Session.
Oct 02, 2026
Advocacy | Community and Economic Development RCRC Supports CPUC Proposal to Establish Minimum Wireless Service Quality StandardsIn August, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) put forward a proposal to establish wireless service quality standards, recognizing that wireless service has become essential infrastructure for emergency communications, public safety, economic activity, and everyday connectivity. This rulemaking follows years of discussion regarding
Oct 02, 2026
Advocacy | Solid Waste Management Governor Signs RCRC Measure to Help Schools Manage Confiscated Vapes, Ban Disguised and Video Game VapesGovernor Newsom signed RCRC-sponsored Assembly Bill 2667 (Hadwick), which seeks to help schools manage and properly dispose of vapes confiscated from students. The bill also
Oct 02, 2026
Advocacy | Solid Waste Management Governor Signs Measures Restricting Sales of Nitrous OxideOn September 30, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 758 (Umberg), the second of two measures restricting the sale of nitrous oxide (NOX), which is increasingly used as an illicit recreational inhalant