The Barbed Wire - January 30, 2026

January 30, 2026 - Read the latest Advocacy News online here

Appropriations Update

The U.S. Senate reached a late-day agreement on Thursday, which would avert a broad shutdown of the federal government, by splitting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding measure away from the remaining five full-year appropriations bills. If the Senate successfully advances the measure, attention would turn to the House of Representatives... Read More

Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 899 (Grove) – Wildfire Smoke Health Assessment

RCRC is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 899, authored by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). This measure seeks to require the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force to create a wildfire smoke health assessment, intended to provide important data that would better align public health and wildfire resilience efforts... Read More

Several RCRC Supported Legislative Proposals Advance at Deadline

Thursday, January 29, was a key deadline by which bills introduced in 2025 must advance out of their house of origin in order to continue through the legislative process. Several RCRC sponsored and supported legislative proposals have moved forward... Read More

CARB Seeks Feedback on Dairy and Livestock Methane Emissions

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is soliciting feedback on dairy and livestock sector methane emissions to inform their work toward reaching short-lived climate pollutant reduction targets... Read More

Federal Approval Moves Sites Reservoir Forward

On Friday January 23, the federal government approved the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Sites Reservoir Project in Colusa and Glenn Counties, unlocking a funding source... Read More

U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation to Support Lake Tahoe Conservation Efforts

On January 27, California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with Nevada Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen introduced the Santini-Burton Modernization Act, which would deliver more funding to protect the Lake Tahoe Basin with no new costs to taxpayers... Read More

USDA Forest Service Issues Revised Oil and Gas Leasing Rule

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service finalized revisions to its regulation governing federal oil and gas resources on National Forest System lands. The revision modernizes and streamlines the process for managing energy development across millions of acres... Read More

Affiliate Updates

A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.

Rural Advancement Institute Launches 2026 Planning

The Rural Advancement Institute (RAI) moves into 2026, continuing its work to provide research and educational opportunities that deepen understanding of rural issues... Read More

Golden State Connect Authority Recognizes Barbara Hayes

At last week’s Board Meeting, Golden State Connect Authority’s Chair Chris Lopez and Vice Chair David Griffith, formally recognized Barbara Hayes, RCRC’s Chief Economic Development Officer, for her exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing rural broadband connectivity and economic development... 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

Coordinated response needed to stop golden mussel spread – Sacramento Bee

In this piece, Calaveras County Supervisor and RCRC Board Delegate Amanda Folendorf sounds the alarm on the golden mussel—an invasive species rapidly advancing through California’s waterways and threatening the state's most vital resources.

CA legislators told wolves have created ‘full-blown crisis’ – Sacramento Bee

California lawmakers on Tuesday took initial steps toward addressing the public safety concerns posed by the state’s growing populations of wolves, mountain lions and other predators — issues the state’s top environmental official called a crisis.

How FEMA cuts could impact wildfire response in California, West – San Francisco Chronicle

As the Trump administration looks to downsize the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a recent change at the organization is jeopardizing tens of millions of dollars for local fire departments, with the potential of hampering wildland firefighting efforts across the West.

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.