Aug 20, 2026

Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Sierra Nevada Conservancy to Host Quarterly Meeting in Mono County

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) will host its quarterly Board field tour and meeting in June Lake in Mono County on Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3

Aug 20, 2026

Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship USDA Acts to Remove Roadless Rule Restrictions to Combat Wildfire Risk

On Tuesday, August 18, the U.S. Forest Service filed a proposed rule to rescind, in its entirety, the national 2001 Roadless Area Conversation Rule, citing that the one-size-fits-all restriction has frustrated land managers and served as a barrier to wildfire risk reduction work

Aug 20, 2026

Advocacy   |   Water and Wildlife California Congress Members Oppose Army Corps Proposal to Deauthorize New River, Imperial County Infrastructure Projects

On August 19, Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla and Representative Raul Ruiz sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers opposing a proposal to deauthorize environmental infrastructure projects for the New River and Imperial County, which carry $20 million in federal funding for wastewater infrastructure addressing contaminated cross-border flow

Aug 13, 2026

Advocacy Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees Act on Nearly 700 Bills

In simultaneous hearings on August 13, the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees acted on nearly 700 bills on their respective suspense files. RCRC has compiled a recap of the actions of the Appropriations Committees on notable measures

Aug 13, 2026

Water and Wildlife Comment Period on Proposed Mussel Regulations Ends Tuesday

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) has published the Notice of Proposed Action to amend sections 650, 672, 672.1, and 672.2 to Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR). Amendments include management measures for watercraft removed from invasive mussel infested waters, such as

Aug 13, 2026

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Governor Announces State Parks’ Fourth Grade Pass Available for 2026-27 School Year

On Wednesday, August 12, Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom announced the Free Fourth Grade Pass, offering unlimited access to 54 participating state parks. Passes can be downloaded through ReserveCalifornia.

Aug 13, 2026

Advocacy   |   Public Safety and Emergency Management Congress Sends Disaster Tax Relief Legislation to President’s Desk

On August 7, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act (H.R. 5366), sending the bipartisan legislation to the President’s desk

Aug 13, 2026

Advocacy U.S. Senate Confirms Glen Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development

On August 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed Glen R. Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development by a vote of 51–47. As Under Secretary, Smith will oversee

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   County Operations State Controller’s Office Issues Draft Claiming Instructions for New Reimbursable State-Mandated Programs

The State Controller’s Office (SCO) has circulated the draft claiming instructions for two newly adopted test claims for reimbursable state-mandated programs

Aug 07, 2026

Advocacy   |   Air Quality Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 35 (Alvarez) – Administrative Procedure Act Exemption for Prop 4 (Climate Bond) Funds

RCRC supported Assembly Bill 35, authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), which was signed into law by Governor Newsom on July 16th. This measure will exempt Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) funding from