Oct 30, 2024
Advocacy | Agriculture Farm Bill AuthorizationThe federal Farm Bill is typically taken up and renewed by the Congress on a five-year cycle since being authorized as part of the New Deal era of programs. RCRC member counties benefit from several...
Oct 29, 2024
Advocacy | Agriculture About the Williamson ActThe California Land Conservation Act of 1965, commonly referred to as the Williamson Act, is a program that was created by the State to help conserve agricultural land. The Williamson Act enabled local governments to enter into contracts with private landowners for the purpose of…
Oct 18, 2024
Energy CPUC Adopts Decision to Improve Utility Distribution PlanningOn October 17th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved new planning and execution processes for the state’s three major utilities: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas &...
Oct 18, 2024
Advocacy | Solid Waste Management CalRecycle Releases Revised SB 54 Single Use Packaging Regulations for 15-Day Comment PeriodOn October 14, CalRecycle released its much-anticipated revisions to SB 54 single-use plastic packaging draft regulations. The release triggers a 15-day comment period for the public to weigh in on the proposed changes. The revised...
Oct 18, 2024
Advocacy | Health Care and Social Services Congressmembers Urge DEA to Extend Current Flexibilities for Telemedicine Prescription of Controlled SubstancesOn October 15, a group of eighteen U.S. Congressmembers, led by Representative Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Georgia), urged the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to extend flexibilities for telemedicine prescribing of controlled...
Oct 18, 2024
Advocacy | Water and Wildlife Groundbreaking of Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project ExpansionOn October 15, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Congressmember Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Imperial) joined federal and state leaders to celebrate...
Oct 11, 2024
Advocacy RCRC 2024 Legislative Digest Provides Guide to Latest Legislation Impacting Rural California CountiesOn September 30, 2024, Governor Newsom completed final action on bills sent to him by the Legislature for the year. Signing 1,017 bills and vetoing 189, this year marked the highest number of bills to...
Oct 11, 2024
Advocacy | Water and Wildlife Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act Introduced in CongressThis week, U.S. Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-Butte) and Mike Thompson (D-Lake) announced the introduction of the Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act, which would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll additional agricultural lands in the Farm...
Oct 11, 2024
Advocacy | Energy California Launches First Phase of Federal Home Energy Rebate Program to Help Families with Energy Efficiency ImprovementsOn October 8, 2024, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that California is launching its first federally-funded Home Energy Rebate program, the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR...
Oct 04, 2024
Advocacy | Water and Wildlife California Congressional Representatives Introduce Legislation to Expand San Pablo Bay National Wildlife RefugeLast Friday, legislation was introduced to expand the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge by approximately 5,658 acres. The expansion, proposed in the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act (H.R. 9826), would include adjacent baylands...