Mar 20, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Bill of the Week Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 2494 (Rogers) – Demonstration Forests

RCRC opposes Assembly Bill 2494, authored by Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), which seeks to significantly alter the mission, funding structure, and management framework of California’s demonstration state forests. 

Mar 20, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Interior Announces $889 Million Investment in Western Water Infrastructure

On March 17, the Department of the Interior announced $889 million in investments for critical water infrastructure projects across the West, funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Of those investments, California projects will receive $540 million.

Mar 20, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Federal Advocacy House Unanimously Passes Save Our Sequoias Act, Senate Introduces Companion Bill

On March 16, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Save our Sequoias Act (H.R. 2709). The bill aims to enhance interagency coordination between state, federal, and tribal partners, accelerate forest restoration efforts, and provide science-based resources to land managers to guard these ancient trees from further destruction.

Mar 20, 2026

Barbed Wire Homeland Security Nominee Markwayne Mullin Commits to End ‘Micromanaging’ Policy on FEMA Money

On March 19th, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security advanced Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security by a vote of 8-7.

Mar 20, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Keeping Up Keeping Up - The Barbed Wire - March 20, 2026

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.

Mar 20, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Weekly News Clips Weekly News Clips - The Barbed Wire - March 20, 2026

RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.

Mar 13, 2026

Barbed Wire Governor Newsom Announces Additional Homelessness and Behavioral Health Grant Awards

On Wednesday March 11th, Governor Newsom announced round two of Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) awards, totaling $1.2 billion to fund an additional 66 projects across 130 behavioral health facilities.

Mar 13, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Bill of the Week Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 935 (Choi) - Local agency design-build projects: authorization

RCRC, in coalition with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the League of California Cities (CalCities), is supporting Senate Bill 935 authored by Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine). This measure seeks to allow local governments to continue to use the Design-Build (DB) procurement process for qualifying public works projects. 

Mar 13, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Federal Advocacy US Senate Passes 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, combining elements of existing House and Senate Housing packages

On Thursday March 12, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a vote of 89-10. The bill combines the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act (S. 2651) from last year with elements of the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) which previously passed the House. 

Mar 13, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   Federal Advocacy Rep. Fong Re-Introduces Bill Supporting Wildfire Victims in Honor of Doug LaMalfa

Last week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) introduced the Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act. Re-introduced in memorial to the late Mr. LaMalfa, this bill would exempt wildfire relief payments made...