May 02, 2025

Advocacy House Votes to Overturn California-Specific Environmental Waivers and Rules

This week, the House passed four Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions addressing environmental waivers and rules issued during the Biden administration, each tied to California-specific standards or policy

May 02, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA CEQA Wildfire Bills Advance Through Assembly Committee

On April 28, the Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard and passed two bills that provide California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) relief for wildfire prevention projects

May 02, 2025

Advocacy RCRC-Sponsored CEQA, Vape, and Enforcement Bills Advance

Last week, three RCRC-sponsored measures advanced through policy committees.

May 02, 2025

Advocacy   |   County Operations Bill of the Week – Assembly Bill 418 (Wilson): Property Taxation: Tax-Defaulted Property

RCRC, in coalition with our county government partners UCC and CSAC, supports Assembly Bill 418, authored by Assembly Member Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City). This measure preserves the ability of California counties to utilize Chapter 8 sales of tax-defaulted properties

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy USDA Announces Disaster Assistance Funding Available to Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters

On April 22, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $340.6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to deliver relief to farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy Congress Members Urge FEMA to Restore BRIC Grant Program

Last week, Representatives Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) led a letter with 26 other representatives opposing FEMA’s decision to terminate funding under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and urging

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy DOI Implements Emergency Permitting Procedures to Strengthen Domestic Energy Supply

In response to President Trump’s declaration of a National Energy Emergency, the U.S. Department of the Interior will implement emergency permitting procedures to accelerate the development of domestic energy resources and critical minerals. These measures are designed

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Senate Energy Affordability Proposal Extends and Expands Energy Commission’s AB 205 Opt-In Permitting Program that Bypasses Local Permitting Processes

This week, the Senate announced a legislative package intended to increase affordability related to energy, housing, and workforce.  Amendments to the energy bill, Senate Bill 254 (Becker, D-Menlo Park), make a number of changes to address permitting challenges and affordability, but also make several significant changes to the Energy Commission’s AB 205 opt-in permitting program

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy   |   County Operations Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1383 (McKinnor) - Public Employees’ Retirement Benefits

In coalition with local government and public agency partners, RCRC opposes Assembly Bill 1383, authored by Assembly Member Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood). This measure would make several significant changes to the public employees’ retirement benefits, increasing pension liability for public agencies

Apr 25, 2025

Advocacy   |   Water and Wildlife Fish and Game Committee to Consider Coyote Hunting Limits at May Meeting

The Wildlife Resources Committee, a subcommittee of the California Fish and Game Commission, is set to consider a proposal that would place coyotes under a bag limit