The Barbed Wire - February 13, 2026

February 13, 2026 - Read the latest Advocacy News online here

After Deadly Wildfires, California Utility Regulator Suggests Exploring Avenues to Limit Utility Liability and Shift Mitigation Costs to the State

On January 30, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released recommendations on wildfire mitigation and victim compensation. The document makes sweeping and transformative recommendations... Read More

Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 442 (Hadwick) – Working Forest Management Plans

RCRC supports Assembly Bill 442, authored by Assemblymember Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas). This measure would allow management of private timberlands across multiple watersheds... Read More

Bulletin Board

Announcements regarding job postings, hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties. View the Bulletin Board Here

Keeping Up

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties. Read Keeping Up Here

Weekly News Clips

Central Valley farmers push Trump on Shasta Dam raise – Sacramento Bee

A coalition of farmers in Central Valley sent a letter to President Trump on Monday, urging advancement of the controversial Shasta Dam enlargement plan.

Illegal pot farms pollute public lands with lasting effects - CalMatters

Even after legalization, illicit cannabis grows continue to pollute California’s public lands. And the contamination, new research shows, lingers.

These maps show where California sank the most over the past decade – SF Chronicle

Over the past decade, parts of California have plummeted by multiple feet, according to satellite measurements.

Legislative Update

Click "Read More" to access information related to the current status of legislation impacting California's rural counties. Read More

For a full list of RCRC-tracked legislation, by issue area, use our Legislative Tracking Tool.