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

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Secretary Rollins Previews Her Vision for Restoring Rural Prosperity at NACo

On March 4, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered remarks to hundreds of local leaders at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington DC…

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   Bill of the Week Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 501 (Allen) - Household Hazardous Waste Producer Responsibility

RCRC is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 501, authored by Senator Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica) with the National Stewardship Action Council.  This measure establishes an extended producer responsibility program for manufacturers of certain types of products that become household hazardous wastes…

Mar 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues RCRC Delegation Visits Washington D.C

Last week, RCRC delegates engaged in productive discussions in Washington D.C. as they met with Congress Members and Federal Agency leaders on Capitol Hill, to raise awareness of challenges and opportunities in California’s rural communities…