Blogs

By; Abigail Ellerman, Associate, Richards, Watson & Gershon. The California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) does not impose an obligation on a public agency to preserve records it withholds as exempt beyond their otherwise applicable retention period merely because the agency’s justification for withholding may later be challenged in court. In Gilroy v. Superior Court , the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley submitted a series of CPRA requests to the City of Gilroy after receiving complaints about the destruction of personal property during homeless encampment cleanups. A 2018 request sought “any and all public records constituting, reflecting or relating ...

Data Center Newsletter

With the range of opportunities and challenges data centers present for local governments, understanding how to navigate the federal and state AI policy landscape is key for local governments considering measures to best support their communities. The AI/Data Center Newsletter that is linked below, provided through the National Special Districts Association, provides an overview of AI and data center policy developments at multiple levels of government. Review the Newsletter #AdvocacyNews #FeatureNews
CSDA partner California CLASS is pleased to introduce California CLASS Term Series II, a pooled investment vehicle designed to deliver a fixed rate of return while prioritizing capital preservation, planned-date liquidity, and competitive yields - built on the same high‑quality credit exposures as the California CLASS Prime Fund. TERM SERIES II HIGHLIGHTS • Competitive yields • Minimum investment: $100,000 • Minimum investment period: 60 days • Maximum investment period: 365 days • Customized redemption date selected by you • Interest paid at maturity • Investments permitted by California Government Code 53601. View the California CLASS Information Statement ...
MGS AI/Data Center Newsletter: With the range of opportunities and challenges data centers present for local governments, understanding how to navigate the federal and state AI policy landscape is key for local governments considering measures to best support their communities. Our new attached AI/Data Center Newsletter provides an overview of AI and data center policy developments at multiple levels of government. Congress: FY 27 Appropriations: House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) released the House’s schedule of FY27 appropriations markups and text for the Financial Services and Mil-Con House appropriations bills. Committee ...
This article originally appeared in the January/February Issue of the California Special Districts magazine. By @Enriqueta (Henri) Castro , Chief Risk Officer, SDRMA January is the perfect time of year to take a fresh look at your workplace and make organization a priority. A clean, orderly workplace doesn’t just look better, it directly supports a safer, more efficient operation. Cleaning and organizing is a major step in reducing potential hazards, and good housekeeping remains one of the simplest, most effective controls for preventing workplace injuries. Poor housekeeping is a leading and preventable cause of incidents such as slips, trips and falls, ...
By @Kyle Packham Media outlets widely covered CSDA members’ concerns regarding the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which concluded a 15-day comment period on its rulemaking process April 17. Leading experts in water and wildfire prevention are publicly urging CARB to amend its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate on state and local medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. ABC 7 (KRCR): Paradise Irrigation District General Manager San Diego Union Tribune Editorial: Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Red Bluff Daily News Editorial: Tehama County Resource Conservation District GM ...
BioWatch Grant: DHS announced the availability of $10 million to fund early warning systems in select jurisdictions that detect the release of a select biological agent that may pose a danger to public health. Applications are due April 30, 2026. Defense Community Infrastructure Grant: The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation announced the availability of $230 million to address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of a military installation. Applications are due June 25, 2026. Program Description Public Safety/Law Enforcement Homeland Security: BioWatch Program BioWatch ...
Please welcome the latest agencies and Business Affiliates approved by the CSDA Board of Directors: Gazelle Fire Protection District California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank) Silicon Valley Clean Energy Syserco Energy Solutions Westside Water Authority Workday Nichols Consulting Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency i3 Verticals Somach Simmons & Dunn Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Burney Basin Mosquito Abatement District Merchant Cost Consulting Pico Water District Marin Clean Energy (MCE) #FeatureNews
@Aaron Avery CSDA recently joined its local government partners in signing onto coalitions to preserve public agencies’ flexibility in using workplace technology. The first measure, AB 2027 (Ward) Worker data: prohibitions: artificial intelligence, provides that an employer shall not use a worker’s personal information to train an artificial intelligence system to replicate, automate, or replace a worker’s job. The bill would leave significant questions about whether agencies can use AI systems or how they could train them to perform their tasks. AB 2027 will be heard in the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on April 16. The second ...
@Brittney Barsotti April 17 deadline rapidly approaching to comment on CARB mandate on local agencies’ to purchase only ZEV medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Special district leaders brief media on how CARB truck ban would severely hinder emergency readiness, using real-life examples from recent events. CalTrans releases report detailing the extraordinary costs and operational deficiencies of CARB’s truck ban. On Thursday April 9, 2026, CSDA hosted a press briefing with four special district general managers who provided clear examples of the troubling consequences the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations ...
Grant Announcements: FTA Ferry Grant Program: The FTA announced the availability of $657 million to modernize passenger ferry service in rural and urban communities nationwide. The Ferry Grant Program provides funds to modernize terminal infrastructure, launch new ferry routes, and fund new ferries. Applications are due May 11, 2026. Safe Streets for All NOFO: The DOT announced $993 million for projects and strategies to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets. Applications are due May 26, 2026. Program Description Transportation Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit ...
The House and Senate are in session this week. The Senate returns April 13, and the House returns April 14. Congress: Reconciliation Update: Congressional Republicans continue to deliberate on a new party-line budget reconciliation bill to fund ICE and CBP. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) visited the White House to brief the President on Senate Republicans’ plans for a budget reconciliation bill. Surface Transportation Reauthorization: The markup of the surface transportation bill has been delayed from April 14 until late April. Lawmakers will reportedly continue negotiating the top-line funding ...
Local leaders are calling on CARB to amend its Advanced Clean Fleets ZEV mandate on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. CSDA is organizing action to elevate the voice of special districts and the communities they serve. Check out the latest developments below and visit csda.net/ZEV-Flexibility to learn more and join the cause. · San Diego Union Tribune Publishes OpEd by Olivenhain Municipal Water District General Manager Kimberly Thorner · April 9 CSDA Virtual Media Availability: Impacted District Managers Speak Out · Like and share @CSDAdistrict posts on X and Bluesky
By: @Brittney Barsotti Download a sample letter you can submit to CARB urging the exclusion of all vehicles that support emergencies. Also, download graphics and sample social media posts . On April 2nd the California Air Resource Board (CARB) posted their latest proposed amendments to their Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulations , opening a new 15-day public comment window. Comments will only be accepted until April 17, 2026 at 5:00pm. CARB’s 15-day amendments follow the previous 45-day comment period in September where CSDA and our partners requested amendments . CSDA is reiterating our request that vehicles that support emergency response ...
*This content is provided by SDRMA Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention - California’s outdoor temperatures have been exceeding 80°F much earlier in the year. While heat illness prevention training is typically recommended in April, it is important to note the Cal/OSHA Outdoor Heat Illness regulation CCR 3395 applies whenever temperatures exceed 80°F. Click to read more: (English) (Spanish) Indoor Heat Illness Prevention - If your District is required to comply with the Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Illness regulation CCR 3396 , training is also required. For additional information on the indoor requirements, please click here or contact your risk control ...
By: @Kyle Packham Celebrate Special Districts Week (April 5-11, 2026) by taking the Special Districts 101 Challenge! CSDA is pleased to launch a free online course where special district officials and the public at-large can enjoy a fun, interactive resource for learning more about the most popular form of local government in California. Gain a better understanding of the local agencies providing essential services to our communities and download a personalized certificate if you enroll and complete the course. Access Free Online Course: Special Districts 101 Course participants will learn: What a special district is What services do special ...
By: @Chris Palmer As part of our coverage of Special Districts Week (April 5-11, 2026), CSDA is pleased to feature our recent interview of Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Juan Carrillo , author of last year’s Special Districts Week Assembly Concurrent Resolution. Assembly Member Carrillo was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022 and re-elected in November 2024 to represent the 39th Assembly District, which includes portions of the northern Antelope Valley and stretches into San Bernardino County. Prior to his election to the State Legislature, Carrillo served as a city planner for 15 years and held office on the Palmdale ...
The House and Senate are out of session. The Senate returns April 13, and the House returns April 14. Congress: Reconciliation Update 2.0: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) are working on a budget reconciliation package to fund ICE and CBP outside of the regular appropriations process. A proposed timeline plans for the Senate to provide a blueprint for a reconciliation package by the end of April, with a bill reaching President Trump’s desk by early June. This was the procedural maneuver by which H.R. 1; the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in 2025. However, razor-thin margins in the House could ...
UPCOMING DEADLINES Deadline Program Notes 4/10/2026 BJA FY25 Second Chance Act Training and Technical Assistance Program Supports Second Chance Act grantees to assess community reentry strategies and implement or expand interventions to address identified gaps in technical areas to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. 4/13/2026 Region 9 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants Assists eligible entities in developing programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands. Seeks to increase the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring ...
House and Senate Action T he House and Senate are out of session and return the week of April 13. DHS Funding Senate Majority Leader John Thune (S-SD) said he’s working with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to find an agreement on DHS funding after House Republicans rejected the Senate’s compromise Friday and passed their own clean 60-day continuing resolution. The House bill passed 213-203 . However, Senate Democrats signaled that they would only support the Senate’s DHS funding measure, which excluded ICE and CBP funding. As the shutdown nears a second month, President Trump signed a memo that could allow TSA workers to ...