Advocacy Archives - Rural County Representatives Of California

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Sep 04, 2026

Advocacy House Agriculture Chair Seeks Waiver of GOP Term Limit

House Agriculture Committee Chair, G.T. Thompson (R-PA), is seeking a waiver from House GOP leadership to continue serving as the panel’s top Republican next year, despite being term-limited under conference rules that cap members at three terms leading a committee.

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Aug 28, 2026

Advocacy | County Operations Call to Action and Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1383 (McKinnor): Public Employee's Retirement Benefits

RCRC has joined with public agency partners to oppose Assembly Bill 1383, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Los Angeles). This measure would make several significant changes to public employees’ retirement benefits, ultimately leading to increased pension liability for state and local agencies. Please call your legislators and ask them to oppose AB 1383.

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Aug 28, 2026

Advocacy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Call to Action: RCRC Seeks Veto on Demonstration State Forests Bill

RCRC is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to veto legislation that would profoundly impact the management of California’s Demonstration State Forest (DSF) system. The bill, which recently passed the Legislature, conflicts with state forest resilience goals outlined in the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and would severely diminish research opportunities for the forest science community. RCRC requests that counties submit a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to veto this bill.

Aug 28, 2026

Advocacy | Transportation Governor Signs Local Government Sponsored Legislation: Senate Bill 922 (Laird) – Vehicles: Local Agency Charges: Use of Streets or Highways

On August 27, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 922 (Laird) into law. RCRC, in coalition with public agency partners, supported the measure, which reaffirms long-standing local authority related to the recovery of street maintenance and repair costs associated with providing essential public services. Specifically, SB 922 will