Blogs

CSDA Takes Action in Cases Related to Eminent Domain, Public Records Act

By Morgan Leskody posted 6 days ago
By: @Mustafa Hessabi , CSDA Chief Counsel The year is off to a busy start, and that includes CSDA efforts to represent the voice of special districts in the courts. CSDA represents the interests of independent special districts wherever law or policy is made – including the courts – and has acted in key cases described below that may influence the how public agencies operate. CSDA receives insights on its amicus efforts from the Legal Advisory Working Group , comprised of attorneys throughout the state with experience serving the unique needs of special districts and the communities they serve. You can find more information on cases from 2025 by reviewing ...

NSDA Grants Update: Week of May 18, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 6 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically challenged communities where service does not exist. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are state and local governments, Federally recognized tribes, incorporated organizations, nonprofits, and the private sector. TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $17 million WHEN IS IT DUE? June 29, 2026 Department of Commerce FY 2026 AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of May 18, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
The House and Senate are in session. The Senate returns today to consider the President’s nominees. Later this week, the Senate is expected to consider Republicans’ budget reconciliation measure. The House returns tomorrow to consider legislation on student athletes, veterans’ benefits, and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. FY27 Appropriations: The House Appropriations Committee will mark-up two more annual funding bills: the Energy and Water bill, along with the Legislative Branch measure on Wednesday . The committee will also release its Transportation-HUD and Interior-Environment funding bills on Wednesday morning, with a subcommittees ...

Advancing Wildfire Resilience: LAO Funding Overview and CAL FIRE Grant Announcement

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Anna Stagg California has increased wildfire resilience funding in recent years, according to a May 13, 2026, report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) titled “ Overview of State Wildfire Resilience Funding .” The same day as the LAO’s publication, CAL FIRE opened applications for the Regional Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Grant, underscoring the LAO report’s findings. According to grant guidelines published by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Climate & Energy Program, up to $30 million of Fiscal Year 2025/2026 funding will be awarded to eligible applicants for CAL FIRE Regional Grants. The minimum grant amount requested ...

Cal/OSHA Opens Public Comment for Revised Workplace Violence Draft Regulation

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Lilia Hernandez Cal/OSHA released for public comment the most recent updates/revisions to the draft proposed regulations implementing Senate Bill 553 (Cortese, 2023) pertaining to Workplace Violence Prevention . Special districts can provide public comment before June 1, 2026. SB 553 was signed into law September 30, 2023, and became effective July 1, 2024. With limited exceptions, the measure requires employers to develop and implement a plan for addressing workplace violence as specified in Labor Code Section 6401.9. CSDA, among other local government agencies, went on record to oppose the legislative mandate for various reasons. Cal/OSHA ...

CARB ZEV Rebate Program for Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Trucks Announced

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Brittney Barsotti On May 13, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced they are allocating $1 billion to the California Clean Fuel Reward program that will provide rebates for the purchase of medium to heavy-duty vehicles. These are class 2b and above trucks that are required by the Advanced Clean Fleets ACF regulations requiring conversion to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) for state and local government fleets. According to the press release and website the program will begin on June 26, 2026, but there is an option to “enroll now” on the website. The rebate program ...

Governor’s May Revise Could Restrict Infrastructure Funding Needed for Housing

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Ophelia Szigeti Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his final State Budget May Revision on May 14, 2026, framing the proposal as fiscally responsible and structurally balanced. However, in doing so, he outlined a budget trailer bill proposal that could restrict development related fee revenue that special districts and other local agencies rely on to fund infrastructure needed to support new housing. Throughout his presentation, Governor Newsom emphasized what he described as California’s economic “dominance,” highlighting the state’s manufacturing strength, agricultural output, and broader economic influence. At the same time, he acknowledged a series ...

CSDA Scores BIG Wins in First-House Fiscal Committees

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
@Ophelia Szigeti The efforts of special district officials attending this year’s Special Districts Legislative Days paid off last week when the two workplace technology bills opposed during the event’s 90 legislative office visits organized by CSDA were held under submission, effectively killing the legislation. California lawmakers advanced hundreds of bills on May 14, 2026, as the State Senate and Assembly Committees on Appropriations held their respective Suspense File hearings. This is one of the Legislature’s key deadlines for determining which measures will continue moving through the legislative process. During the hearings, leaders of both committees ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of May 11, 2026

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
The House and Senate are in session The Senate returns today to consider the President’s nominees, including Kevin Warsh’s nomination to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. The Senate is also set to advance their portions of the reconciliation bill funding immigration enforcement, with $38.2 billion for ICE; $26 billion for offices under CBP; $5 billion for DHS; $1.5 billion for DOJ; and $1 billion for the Secret Service The House returns tomorrow, May 12 th to consider several law enforcement measures during National Police Week, including Cashless Bail Reporting Act (H.R.5625); Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets ...

FEMA Review Council Releases Final Report

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council released its final report, outlining its recommendations to reform federal disaster response, recovery, and mitigation programs. The Council’s final report details 10 recommendations: Equip SLTT to lead disaster response with the federal government in a supporting role Encourage National Capability Standards Adoption Build Scalable Training Resources Professionalization of Emergency Management Catastrophic Planning & Exercise Standards Revitalize & promote use of the Unified Resource Catalog Enhance critical federal programs & resources to support communities Realign ...

Budget Season Heating Up: May Revise This Week

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
By: @Kyle Packham With Governor Gavin Newsom set to release the May Revision to his 2026-2027 State Budget Proposal this week, legislative leaders in the State Senate and Assembly recently announced their own budget frameworks. Assembly Framework On May 7, Assembly Democrats announced their Road Map to a Responsible and Compassionate Budget : a framework of priorities that underscores an ongoing commitment to protecting health care access and essential safety-net programs, along with increasing the rainy-day fund and advancing new housing policies. Among the housing policies referenced in the Assembly plan are a push for a new housing bond, more ...

Participate in your County’s Teeter Plan? Be Sure to Check the Math

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
By: @Marcus Detwiler First enacted in 1949, the " Teeter Plan " provides counties with an optional alternative method for allocating delinquent property tax revenues. Using the accrual method of accounting under the Teeter Plan, counties allocate property tax revenues based on the total amount of property taxes billed but not yet collected. The Teeter Plan allows counties to finance property tax receipts for local agencies, including special districts, by borrowing money to advance cash to each taxing jurisdiction in an amount equal to the current year's delinquent property taxes. In exchange, the counties receive the penalties and interest on the delinquent ...

NSDA Grants Update: Week of May 11, 2026

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
New Grant Opportunities Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides financial assistance to enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas, supporting the use of telecommunications-enabled equipment and technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. This program is targeted to rural areas with populations 20,000 or fewer. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants include most entities that provide education or health care through ...

Public Records Act Meets AI: What Recent Requests Reveal About CHATGPT Use in Government

By Kristin Withrow posted 13 days ago
Republished with permission of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore ( www.lcwlegal.com ) By Abigail Choi on April 28, 2026 As California public agencies increasingly experiment with generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools like ChatGPT, a critical question is no longer theoretical: are AI prompts and outputs subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (“CPRA”)? Recent reporting and public records requests suggest the answer may soon be tested in real time—and that agencies should prepare now. Just as importantly, these developments highlight a parallel concern: how AI use may affect public trust in government communications. ...

Public Contracting Made Simple

By Amber Phelen posted 17 days ago
By @Jeff Frey , Of Counsel, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Do public contracting issues freak you out? Well, my friend, I feel you. Despite the Legislature’s goal to make the law “clearer and easier to find” (Pub. Contract Code § 100), the topic involves numerous statutes buried across the Civil Code, Labor Code, Public Contract Code, Government Code, and more. The following is a summary of important issues to consider when preparing and reviewing your next bid or contract. Bidding Many, but not all, special districts have competitive bidding requirements. Knowing your bidding rules is half the battle! If competitive bidding is required ...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What Was Promised, What Changed, and What Special Districts Need to Know

By Morgan Leskody posted 19 days ago
By: @Morgan Leskody This article is based on an interview with @Samantha Prall , Partner at Platinum Strategies Inc. When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the message many Americans heard was simple and appealing: overtime would be tax-exempt. Widely advertised as a benefit for workers, OBBBA suggested that employees who put in extra hours would keep more of their pay. However, once the legislation was analyzed and implemented, it became clear that the overtime exemption was far narrower than originally understood. What the Bill Was Advertised to Do The early messaging around the One Big Beautiful Bill Act focused on the ...

Partner with CSDA - Help Us Build Next Year’s Education Lineup!

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026 Special district leaders across California rely on CSDA to provide professional development opportunities that empower them to tackle the challenges they face every day – and often the best sessions are hosted by thought leaders and innovators like you, who provide services to these same leaders. We are currently working to build next year’s calendar of educational offerings and would like to invite you to submit your session ideas. Choose your format: Webinar: 1–2 hours, offered free to CSDA members. Perfect for timely topics and broad reach across the state. Virtual Workshop: Two half-day sessions, ~6 hours ...

Federal Legislative Updates: Week of May 4, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
DHS Reopened: The House approved a bill by voice vote to fund all of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except its immigration enforcement agencies, ending the longest agency shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown has lasted more than 10 weeks, with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin warning that the agency would soon run out of money to pay its employees. While House Republicans have opposed passing the Senate-approved bill, arguing that it should include funding for immigration enforcement agencies, House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly faced pressure from the White House and some House Republican lawmakers to pass it before the chamber leaves town for ...

Support SDLF Scholarships: Get Your Custom Horseshoe Artwork

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
Looking for a meaningful, one‑of‑a‑kind way to showcase your district pride? The Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) is offering custom cowboy horseshoe artwork personalized with your district’s initials, handcrafted by artist Rick Wood. Best of all, proceeds support the SDLF Scholarship Program. Each piece is uniquely designed to highlight your district’s identity—making it a standout display for your office, board room, or home. How It Works Bidding starts at $200, and the top 10 highest bids received by July 1 will be accepted. What Winners Receive Each winning bidder will receive a custom-designed horseshoe art piece and can: Choose ...

The Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan: From Fallowed Land to an Energy Powerhouse

By Morgan Leskody posted 20 days ago
By; @Kristin Withrow One of the nation’s largest agricultural water districts, Westlands Water District spans roughly 1,000 square miles — about 614,000 acres — primarily in western Fresno County with a small portion in Kings County. Formed in 1952, its core mission is to deliver reliable and affordable agricultural water to farmers who grow nearly 70 varieties of food and fiber commodities to communities across the country and the world. That mission has grown more complicated as the state addresses the limitations of an unpredictable water supply. Allocations from the federal Central Valley Project fluctuate sharply from year to year. At the same time, ...