Jul 18, 2025

Advocacy   |   Forest and Public Lands Stewardship Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 547 (Pérez) – Commercial Property Insurance Cancellation and Nonrenewal

RCRC supports Senate Bill 547, authored by Senator Sasha Renee Pérez (D-Alhambra). This measure extends the moratorium on insurance non-renewals for residential properties located

Jul 18, 2025

Advocacy   |   Air Quality State Releases Annual 30x30 Progress Report

Earlier this week, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) released its Annual Progress Report to update stakeholders on the status of California’s efforts to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and water by the year 2030

Jul 18, 2025

Advocacy Congress Passes $9B Rescissions Package, Sends to President’s Desk

Early Friday morning, Congress narrowly passed the $9 billion dollar rescissions package with a vote of 216-213 in the House, and 51-48 in the Senate. The package now heads to the President’s desk for signature

Jul 18, 2025

Advocacy   |   Health Care and Social Services Telehealth Permanence Bill Introduced in Congress

On July 11, U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral CONNECT for Health Act

Jul 18, 2025

Advocacy Federal Government Revokes $4B for California High Speed Rail Project

On July 16, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has terminated approximately $4 billion in unspent federal funding for California’s High Speed Rail project

Jul 11, 2025

Advocacy   |   Energy Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 531 – Geothermal Project Permitting

Assembly Bill 531, authored by Assembly Member Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), seeks to usurp local land use authority for smaller geothermal energy projects under 50MW by allowing developers to bypass local governments and seek approval through the California Energy Commission’s AB 205 opt-in permitting process. 

Jul 11, 2025

Advocacy Federal Update: Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization, Farm Bill, Closing the Intoxicating Hemp Loophole

While the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1) was signed into law on July 4th, several RCRC priorities were left on the cutting floor.

Jul 11, 2025

Advocacy   |   CEQA/NEPA Trump Administration Advances NEPA Reform Across Federal Agencies

As part of a coordinated push to streamline environmental permitting, the Departments of the Interior, Energy, and Agriculture each issued revised National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. These reforms—driven by President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order (E.O. 14154) and the 2023 BUILDER Act —aim to cut red tape, reduce review timelines, and eliminate duplicative regulations that delay infrastructure and energy projects.

Jul 03, 2025

Advocacy RCRC Highlights the Latest Updates in the 2025-2026 State Budget Package

On Monday, June 30, Governor Newsom signed the package of bills that make up the 2025 State Budget, which took effect immediately upon signature.  RCRC’s latest budget package highlights, of interest to California’s rural counties, is available here.

Jul 03, 2025

Advocacy   |   Community and Economic Development Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 769 - The Golden State Infrastructure Corporation Act

Senate Bill 769, authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), seeks to establish the Golden State Infrastructure Corporation within the State Treasurer’s Office to offer flexible financing solutions for infrastructure projects throughout California.