Mar 14, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues EMBER Act Reintroduced as Part of Larger Congressional Package

On March 11, Congressman Ken Calvert (R-Riverside County) reintroduced the Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act, which would reduce the threat of wildfires along the southern border and protect

Mar 14, 2025

Barbed Wire FISH Act Reintroduced in Congress

On March 6, the Federally Integrated Species Health Act (FISH Act) was introduced by Representative Ken Calvert (R-Riverside County) in the 119th Congress. This measure seeks to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by transferring certain functions from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the

Mar 13, 2025

Barbed Wire Call For Support Letters: RCRC Sponsored Measure Senate Bill 496 (Hurtado) – Advanced Clean Fleets

RCRC, in coalition with local government partners, is sponsoring Senate Bill 496, authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado. This measure would provide more flexibility for local agencies implementing the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) mandate by ensuring disaster service workers are able to effectively respond to emergency situations, creating

Mar 13, 2025

Barbed Wire Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 339 (Ortega) – Local Public Employee Organizations: Notice Requirements

RCRC, as part of a large coalition, strongly opposes Assembly 339, authored by Assembly Member Liz Ortega. This measure would require the governing body of a local public agency (non-school) to provide written notice to the employee organization no less than 120 days prior to issuing a request for proposals, request for quotes, or renewing or extending…

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues USDA Forest Service Leadership Transition

On March 3, the USDA Forest Service (USFS) experienced a significant leadership transition. Chief Randy Moore has retired after a tenure of four and a half decades with the Forest Service. Moore is succeeded by

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire Join GO-Biz to Discuss Battery Energy Storage Permitting

On Wednesday, March 26, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is hosting a webinar bringing together state and local planning authorities and other industry leaders to discuss Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) permitting

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire Legislators Urge State to Extend Sunset for Key Program Supporting Small Biomass Facilities

On March 4, Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and ten other legislators sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) urging the CPUC to “extend and fully implement” the BioMAT program

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform Releases Final Report

On March 4, the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform released its final report containing recommendations to reduce red tape and expedite housing, energy, water, and transportation projects. RCRC submitted extensive recommendations in December 2024   

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire Governor Waives CEQA and Coastal Act for Authorized Fuel Management Projects While Legislators Introduce Multiple Bills Aimed at Long-Lasting Regulatory Relief

On March 1, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a wildfire-related state of emergency to reduce regulatory barriers for wildfire risk reduction and community protection projects

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act Introduced in U.S. House

On March 5, Congress Members Doug LaMalfa (R-Butte), Mike Thompson (D-Napa), Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), and Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act