The Barbed Wire - November 6, 2026

November 6, 2026 - Read the latest Advocacy News online here

ICYMI: RCRC 2026 Legislative Digest Provides Guide to Latest Legislation Impacting California’s Rural Counties

On September 30, 2026, Governor Newsom completed final action on bills sent to him by the Legislature for 2025-2026 session. Of the 1,160 bills sent to his desk in 2026, the Governor signed 1,040 and vetoed only 120. RCRC’s Legislative Digest is a thorough guide to significant bills representing the advocacy efforts of the RCRC Government Affairs staff during the legislative session.

View RCRC’s 2026 Legislative Digest here.

General Election Outcomes Result in Some Changes to RCRC Congressional Delegation

The outcomes of California’s congressional races will bring several new faces to districts covering RCRC member counties... 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

Utilities lobby for shield from wildfire costs - Los Angeles Times

According to slides recently presented to a group of state senators, utilities are asking for a permanent cap to limit their corporate liability for a fire where they are found to have acted negligently or imprudently.

California lawmakers weigh who should pay for wildfires - Abridged (PBS/KVIE)

California Assembly members questioned utility executives, insurance experts, consumer advocates and others in recent hearings on who should pay for wildfire destruction. The deliberations follow a failed deal between the Assembly, Senate and Governor Gavin Newsom on new regulations on the issue.

FCC Moves to Block California From Demanding Proof Copper Replacements Work - Tech Times

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on October 30, 2026, circulated a draft preemption order that would eliminate California's legal authority to require carriers to verify that wireless or fiber replacements actually work before retiring copper telephone networks — stripping the state's most direct consumer protection in a forced technology transition that leaves elderly, rural, and medically dependent residents with no fallback if the replacement fails.

Plan for California’s largest reservoir in 50 years wins approval - San Francisco Chronicle

Construction of California’s largest reservoir in half a century, Sites Reservoir, could begin next summer after state water regulators gave the project the go-ahead Wednesday, a rare breakthrough for big water infrastructure.

See Also: State Water Board Approves Water Right for Sites Reservoir – Northern California Water

California’s plastic law will cut far less single-use plastic than expected - Los Angeles Times

CalRecycle has picked the number that decides how much plastic California has to cut under the state’s 2022 landmark plastic law, and it is low. It’s just one-third of what the state estimated in a 2024 report, and 20% lower than an initial number the industry announced in June.

State fights Trump administration’s attempt to lift ban on disposable camping propane canisters – The San Francisco Chronicle

California is going to court to defend its plan to prohibit sales of single-use propane canisters that fuel campers’ stoves, a ban that the Trump administration derides as part of the state’s “climate scam.”