The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted its 2026 Legislative Platform, setting priorities that will guide the County’s state and federal advocacy efforts in the year ahead, including identifying funding for wildfire mitigation, bridge replacement projects and a new regional animal shelter.
Last year, the County’s collaboration with Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) halted Assembly Bill 470, which could have phased out traditional copper wire landlines. Tracy Rhine, a senior policy advocate for RCRC, praised Supervisor Sue Hoek for advocacy on the issue.”
Kimberly Rodriguez, chief legislative advocate for California State Association of Counties (CSAC), spoke of another example when they secured funding from the state for the last-minute November 2025 Statewide Special Election which counties had not budgeted for.
Both RCRC and CSAC, as well as senior County executives, elected officials and community stakeholders, gave input to the County’s 2026 legislative platform. It is focused on protecting core services and programs against funding cuts and supporting funding for special districts, including fire districts. It also advocates for flexibility when statewide requirements do not account for the realities of rural living.
It allows the County to respond quickly when urgent legislative opportunities or threats arise through actions the Board has already unanimously approved. “The more that we can advocate quickly with letters and phone calls, or anything that means we don’t all have to be in a meeting, that’s very important,” said Hoek.
The 50-page document lists 30 priority projects for funding, including wildfire mitigation projects; HealthSpan, the community wellness initiative; the Edwards Crossing bridge replacement, a new regional animal shelter and a new psychiatric treatment center.
With about 225 specific policies, the issues in the platform fall under five categories: administration of justice; agriculture, environment, and natural resources; government finance and administration; health and human services; and housing, and land use, and transportation.