May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. House Passes Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act

On May 13, the House passed the bipartisan Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act (H.R. 2492) by voice vote. This bill would allow the U.S. Forest Service to

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal budget   |   federal issues House Agriculture Committee Advances SRS Reauthorization by way of Reconciliation Bill

On May 14, the House Agriculture Committee voted 29-25 along party lines to advance its reconciliation bill. While the measure contains many impactful provisions, perhaps the most notable is the inclusion of reauthorization language for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. Until now, SRS reauthorization has been stalled in the House of Representatives, despite significant bipartisan support in the Senate

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   state budget Governor Newsom Seeks to Include RCRC-Sponsored CEQA Measure in Budget Package

On May 14, Governor Newsom unveiled the May Revisions to his proposed budget.  As part of that presentation, he acknowledged and thanked Assembly Member Wicks and Senator Wiener for their efforts to undertake significant California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reform in AB 609 (Wicks) and SB 607 (Wiener)

May 08, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues USDA to Expedite $21 Billion in Previously Approved Disaster Assistance

On May 7, USDA Secretary Rollins announced plans to expedite the distribution of $21 billion in Congressionally-appropriated disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by recent natural disasters

May 08, 2025

Barbed Wire USDA Announces Grants to Boost Timber Production, Reduce Wildfire Risk

On May 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $23 million in grants through the Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program to support the transport of low-value wood and dead trees

May 08, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. Forest Service Testifies in Support of Fix Our Forests Act

On May 6, Acting Associate Chief of the Forest Service, Christopher French, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee during its legislative hearing on the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk and improve forest health through expanded management tools and interagency coordination

May 08, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   Bill of the Week Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 1288 (Addis and Valencia) – Registered Environmental Health Specialists 

RCRC, in coalition with our county association partners, supports Assembly Bill 1288. This measure, authored by Assembly Members Dawn Addis (D-Moro Bay) and Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim),  would extend the time in which local health/environmental health departments may train and employ a local

May 02, 2025

Barbed Wire America the Beautiful Act Introduced to Extend and Expand National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund

On Thursday April 30, Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Angus King (I-ME) unveiled bipartisan legislation, the America the Beautiful Act, which would reauthorize and expand the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. This measure would increase the legacy restoration fund created

May 02, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues 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

Barbed Wire 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