Blogs

District Leaders Speak Out on CARB ZEV Mandate

By Kyle Packham posted 4 days ago
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

Call on CARB Now to Exclude Emergency Support Vehicles from ZEV Mandate

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
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 ...

April Recommended Safety Talk – Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Training

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
*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 ...

Take the Special Districts 101 Challenge This Special Districts Week!

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
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 ...

Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Speaks with CSDA

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
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 ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of April 6, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
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 ...

Grants Update: Week of April 6, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 10 days ago
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 ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of March 30, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 14 days ago
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 ...

Smart Cash Flow and Management Practices for California Special Districts

By Morgan Leskody posted 14 days ago
This article originally appeared in the 2026 January/February issue of the California Special Districts magazine. By; California CLASS Relationship Team For California special districts, a sound cash flow and cash management practices are the foundation for delivering services, planning capital projects and navigating economic uncertainty. Regardless of your special district size, having a clear grip on your cash flow is critical to making smart financial decisions and maintaining long-term stability. Understanding Cash Flow Cash flow refers to the timing and movement of money in and out of special districts. A good cash flow forecast brings ...

Last Call: Student Video Contest Closes Tomorrow

By Kristin Withrow posted 14 days ago
There’s still time—but not much. The Districts Make the Difference Student Video Contest closes tomorrow, March 31, and high school students across the country are already stepping up. Entries have come in from 21 states so far, showing just how far the message is spreading. Open to students in grades 9–12, the contest invites participants to create a short (60 seconds or less) video showcasing how special districts make a difference in their communities—from clean water and fire protection to parks and public safety. The opportunity is simple, creative, and impactful. There’s no essay required, and submissions are judged on creativity, accuracy, production ...

NSDA Growing Stronger with Six New States

By Morgan Leskody posted 14 days ago
By: National Special Districts Association Since its formal establishment in January 2025, the National Special Districts Association (NSDA) has rapidly emerged as the unified national voice for special districts across the United States. From the outset, NSDA set an ambitious goal: to achieve representation in all 50 states by the end of 2027. Just one year later, that vision is on the road to becoming reality. Over the past year alone, NSDA has welcomed 12 new members, including nine individual special districts and three statewide associations, while expanding representation into six new states. This growth reflects both the increasing demand for a coordinated ...

Over 200 District Leaders Will Meet With 90 Legislative Offices on Priority Issues

By Morgan Leskody posted 14 days ago
By; @Kyle Packham On April 7, more than 200 special district leaders will join together at the State Capitol to meet with nearly 90 legislative offices as part of Special Districts Legislative Days . The office visits, pre-arranged by CSDA, allow attendees to bridge the gap between state policymakers and local service specialists. Legislative priorities on this year’s agenda include advocating for local flexibility in the use of emerging technology that makes local service delivery more affordable, as well as protecting special districts from the looming threat of local property tax diversions. Those already registered for this important opportunity to ...

Grants Update: Week of March 30, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 14 days ago
Check out the new "Federal Grant Funding Outlook for Special Districts in 2026" resource for NSDA members! These slides are intended to provide an overview of FY 2026 funding, help structure your grant planning strategy, and highlight NSDA Grants resources. We also invite you to complete the 2026 NSDA Grants Survey to help us better understand your familiarity with federal grants and your interest in pursuing these opportunities. Your responses will enable us to tailor resources and support to better meet your needs. Feedback from this survey will also shape the topics for upcoming NSDA Grants Brownbag sessions scheduled for April 16, July 16, & September ...

Edison Fire Protection District Receives more than $218,000 in Grants to Strengthen Rural Emergency Services

By Kristin Withrow posted 19 days ago
This article originally appeared at koaa.com news on February 25, 2026. EDISON, Colo. (KOAA) — Following their busiest year to date, the Edison Fire Protection District (EFPD) cut its emergency response times by almost 12 minutes in 2025. EFPD released its 2025 annual report, highlighting the time reduction and more than $218,000 in grants and donations that have significantly strengthened the district's emergency services in El Paso, Lincoln, and Pueblo counties. The breakdown of the $218,325.95 in grant funding and donated equipment from 2025 can be found below: $146,825.95 – FEMA AFG SAFER Recruitment & Retention Grant $40,000 – Ambulance ...

Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act Approved in House Committee

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
In a victory for special districts across the country, last week, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act. The legislation (H.R. 2766), which is sponsored by Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), cleared the committee on a strong, bipartisan vote of 32-8. To view the committee's action on H.R. 2766, please click here . The discussion on the bill begins at the 8:15 mark. The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act embodies NSDA's longstanding objective of codifying in federal law a first-ever, formal definition of special district. In addition ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of March 23, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
House and Senate Action The House and Senate are both in session this week. House The House is expected to consider several measures this week, including legislation related to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and support for DHS employees amid the ongoing funding lapse. Lawmakers will also take up bills addressing the protection of U.S. property abroad. Senate The Senate will continue working on a major election-reform package (the SAVE America Act ), as Republican leaders attempt to advance the House-passed bill despite lacking the 60 votes needed for passage. At the same time, the chamber may also consider legislation ...

Grants Update: Week of March 23, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
Check out the new "Federal Grant Funding Outlook for Special Districts in 2026" resource for NSDA members! These slides provide an overview of FY 2026 funding, help structure grant planning strategies, and highlight NSDA Grants resources. We also invite you to complete the 2026 NSDA Grants Survey to help us better understand your familiarity with federal grants and interest in these opportunities. Your responses will enable us to tailor resources and shape topics for upcoming NSDA Grants Brownbag sessions scheduled for April 16, July 16, and September 9. The survey is open until March 31 and takes approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. NSDA Grants Survey ...

CSDA Co-Sponsored Pennies Bill Passes First Committee

By Morgan Leskody posted 21 days ago
By: @Lilia Hernandez This week, CSDA’s Co-Sponsored legislation, Senate Bill 1005 (Caballero) Local agency: payment: rounding amount , passed out of the Senate Local Government Committee on Consent. Because it is not a bill with a significant cost, it has been sent directly to the Senate floor for consideration. SB 1005 allows a local agency to pass a resolution adopting the bill’s provisions to grant authority to round cash transactions to the nearest five cents. This bill was introduced in response to the decision to cease production of pennies by the US Mint due to rising inflation costs of penny production - costing roughly 3.69 cents per penny. ...

How to Get Involved for Special Districts Week 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 21 days ago
@Lilia Hernandez Assembly Member Dawn Addis from Assembly District 30 has introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 161 commemorating April 5 – April 11, 2026 as Special Districts Week! As California’s essential services backbone, special districts are the leading forces behind spreading awareness throughout the state to educate legislators, local elected officials, and community members on the importance of special districts in providing safe, thriving, and affordable communities. There are a variety of ways that your special district can celebrate another year of Special Districts Week 2026 through our CSDA Take Action Toolkit . Access our downloadable ...

CSDA Goes on the Record to Protect Workplace Technology Flexibility

By Morgan Leskody posted 21 days ago
By: @Lilia Hernandez CSDA recently joined its local government parters in signing onto two letters aiming to preserve public agencies’ flexibility in using workplace technology. The first measure, Assembly Bill 1883 (Bryan) , prohibits an employer from utilizing workplace surveillance technology that collects specified emotional, facial recognition, gait, and neural data. Given the broad definition of workplace surveillance technology, this bill could hinder the use of routine equipment for security, daily operations, or public health. The second measure, Assembly Bill 1898 (Schultz) , requires public agencies to provide written notice to employees, ...