Sep 18, 2026

Advocacy   |   Public Safety and Emergency Management New Informational Resource Available to Find Home Hardening Grants and Rebates

The Climate and Wildfire Institute recently debuted a new tool to help California homeowners locate resources to help pay for home hardening. ResilientHomeFund.org is intended to be a one-stop digital hub

Sep 18, 2026

Advocacy Senate Agriculture Committee Advances the Farm Bill

On September 16, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a markup on the Agricultural Act of 2026. The bill

Sep 18, 2026

Advocacy   |   Water and Wildlife House Passes Water Resources Development Act, Senate Advances Competing Measure

On September 16, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (H.R. 9497), by a vote of 415-9. The bill now moves to the Senate, which is considering its own

Sep 11, 2026

Advocacy Congress Member Jim Costa a Leading Contender for Ranking House Agriculture Committee Seat

The House Agriculture Committee is drawing the attention of Democrats who are considering bids to become the party’s top member of the Committee, after the current Ranking Member leaves Congress at the end of her term

Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy RCRC's 2025-26 End of Session State Budget Highlights

As the 2026-27 Legislative Session came to a close, the Legislature acted upon the remaining budget trailer bills, concluding negotiations that took place throughout the summer. RCRC has compiled key highlights of the final budget action, by topic area, of interest to California’s rural counties. Some of these measures acted on by the Legislature are still awaiting the Governor’s signature, as of this writing.   Read RCRC’s 2026-27 End of Session State Budget Highlights…

Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy State Senate and Assembly Conclude the 2025-26 Legislative Session

On September 1, 2026, the California State Senate and Assembly adjourned and will take no further action for the 2025-26 Regular Session. Unless legislation signed into law contained an urgency clause, or specifies a different day, all bills will take effect on January 1, 2027. While regular session has concluded, legislative action

Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy   |   Solid Waste Management RCRC-Sponsored Legislation on Nitrous Oxide Moves to the Governor

In the closing days of the 2026 legislative session, the Legislature advanced two measures to the Governor attempted to deal with the widespread illicit use of nitrous oxide as a recreational inhalant. 

Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy   |   Solid Waste Management RCRC’s Bill to Help Schools Manage Confiscated Vapes and Ban Disguised Vapes Moves to Governor’s Desk

Assembly Bill 2667 (Hadwick) awaits consideration by the Governor after passing the Legislature.  The bill would ban vapes that are disguised as

Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy   |   Public Safety and Emergency Management Bill Streamlining Permitting for Wildfire Risk Reduction Projects Moves to Governor for Consideration

Senate Bill 1370 (Stern), which seeks to streamline the state permitting process for wildfire risk reduction projects undertaken by the state, local governments, and utilities, has moved to the Governor’s desk for consideration

Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy   |   County Operations Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Bill, Delays Hemp THC Restrictions

Congress passed a continuing resolution on September 1, 2026, funding the federal government through December 11. Along with that, they are delaying the implementation of restrictions on hemp-derived THC products that had been scheduled to take effect November 12.