We had a great time with our legislative partners at the Fresno Irrigation District getting a firsthand look at the critical role special districts play in delivering one of California's most essential resources — water. 💧

Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars are exempt from CARB's mandate. But many of the vehicles that support emergency response are not.

"Climate goals and public safety are not mutually exclusive, yet these requirements continue to overlook operational realities faced by public agencies." — Neil McCormick, CSDA CEO

California uses essential diesel-powered vehicles with no comparable zero-emission alternatives available to save lives during emergency situations. CARB should provide a categorical exemption for these critical vehicles. #ACF Learn more: www.csda.net/advocate/tak...

CARB's proposed resiliency exemption would allow only 25% of an agency's fleet to remain exempt. During a wildfire, flood, or extended power outage, agencies need their entire fleet available — not just 25%. #ACF #PublicSafety Learn more: www.csda.net/advocate/tak...

CARB’s #ACF regulation sidelines the trucks that protect us in emergencies. From maintaining wastewater systems to repairing electrical grids after a storm — emergency support vehicles must be explicitly excluded from #ZEV mandates. Learn more: www.csda.net/advocate/tak...

During a power outage, utility crews need to tow generators up steep terrain to keep water flowing. Those vehicles can't depend on charging infrastructure that may be unavailable during an emergency. Public safety and water reliability depend on operational flexibility.

Wildfire mitigation requires heavy-duty trucks capable of hauling 10,000+ lbs into rugged, remote terrain. Today's ZEVs lack the range, towing capacity, and charging infrastructure needed for these conditions.

Emergency support vehicles used for wildfire prevention, water reliability, search and rescue, and disaster response shouldn't be forced into unworkable #ZEV mandates. Forcing them to go electric right now puts public safety at risk during natural disasters.

NSDA supports the bipartisan FIRE SMART Act, introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) to help rural communities strengthen water infrastructure and wildfire preparedness. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Boozman (R-AR), (cont.)

We’ve seen what happens when communities neglect adequate planning and infrastructure investment. Neighborhoods decline into places that are only “affordable” because nobody wants to live there.

Growth requires infrastructure. Development-related fees help fund the roads, parks, flood control, and emergency services that growing communities need.

SB 1117 could reduce housing infrastructure revenue by up to $52 million annually statewide. That funding helps support the infrastructure growing communities need: 🚒 Fire protection 🛣️Roads 🌳 Parks 💧Flood control Housing and infrastructure must go hand in hand.

Who should pay for the roads, parks, and fire protection needed by new housing? Nearly 74% of California voters say developers should pay for the infrastructure required by new development. Housing needs infrastructure. Infrastructure needs funding. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3QOBcOW

"You can’t build a house if you don’t have water."

How does the Desert Recreation District build new parks in one of the few places building housing in CA without shifting costs onto existing residents? In this video, DRD explains how development related fees help fund the parks and recreational facilities growing communities need.

“We don't know how it will be possible to protect California's communities if this is to go into place.” — Kyle Packham, CSDA Chief Advocacy & External Affairs Officer

SB 1117 restricts critical funding for infrastructure and emergency services that growing communities rely on. In this video, the Chino Valley Fire District explains how these fees help support service in one of California’s fastest-growing housing regions. Learn more: www.csda.net/viewdocument...

NSDA’s Impact: Strengthening Special Districts Nationwide Across the country, special districts deliver essential services that communities rely on every day. NSDA works to ensure those districts have the voice, resources, and recognition they deserve.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board approved its 2026 Business Plan last week. Marcus Detwiler, an advocate with the California Special Districts Association, warned that the plan still contains problematic provisions related to tax increment financing and local land-use authority.

Special district representatives had a productive meeting with the office of Senator Tony Strickland to discuss issues important to our communities, including water and wastewater services, mosquito and vector control, and the proposed Orange County Veterans Cemetery.

Drinking water. Wildfire response. Transportation. Special districts are behind many of California's most essential local services. Curious how they work? Explore CSDA's free Special Districts 101 course: specialdistricts101.csda.net/courses/spec...

Congratulations to San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency on the successful use of its Heli-Hydrant system during the recent Lemon Fire in Cabazon. Both local Heli-Hydrant sites were used during the response, allowing aircraft to refill quickly and helping contain the fire to approximately 14 acres.

Congratulations to Caleigh M. from Vacaville High School in California for earning first place in the Districts Make the Difference nationwide 2026 #StudentVideoContest. Caleigh’s compelling video details how special districts process wastewater.

Last week, the Central Valley Local Chapter of CSDA brought together special districts from across the region to discuss district IT infrastructure and emerging technology best practices.

Last week, 30 students graduated from the Port of Hueneme’s Spring 2026 Global Trade & Logistics Class! This award-winning program introduces local high school juniors and seniors to careers in maritime, supply chain management, and related industries.

What happens when water scarcity forces thousands of acres of farmland out of production? Westlands Water District is exploring a bold answer: transforming fallowed land into a large-scale renewable energy and battery storage initiative through the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan.

“We look forward to reviewing the details of the Governor’s May Revise concerning developer related fees that fund housing infrastructure.

Construction of #ProjectNexus is complete — a Central Valley pilot project testing solar-covered canals in real-world conditions.

Local agencies are already doing more with less. CSDA and a coalition of local government association stakeholders are opposing a proposal in the CA High-Speed Rail Authority’s draft 2026 Business Plan to redirect local revenue from special districts, undermining essential local services.

✨ Meet CSDA Subject Matter Expert: Gregg Fishman Gregg is a Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board Member and clean energy advocate.

Ten high school students have made it to the final round of the #DistrictsMakeTheDifference nationwide #StudentVideoContest — and you can help choose the winner! Voting is now open for the contest, which awards #scholarships. Vote here: districtsmakethedifference.org/video-contest

The National Special Districts Association wrapped up 2026 Special Districts Days in Washington, D.C. by celebrating the inaugural National Special Districts Day alongside congressional offices from across the country. #NSDAdistricts #SpecialDistricts #FederalAdvocacy

State & local stakeholders agree: CARB's #ZEV regulations are unworkable and endanger life and property. Read more: www.calaverasenterprise.com/articles/gov... @airresources.bsky.social

Freezing local revenues while costs rise is not sustainable. Tax increment financing and land use authority proposed in @cahsra.bsky.social’s draft 2026 Business Plan would divert future property tax growth away from special districts.

Water and sanitation district leaders had a productive meeting with the office of Senator Steven Choi to discuss priorities affecting our communities. Topics included water reliability, wastewater infrastructure, and sustainable planning for future growth.

Special districts leaders had a productive meeting with the office of Congressman Derek Tran to discuss important federal legislative issues impacting our communities.

Happy National Special Districts Day! Today we celebrate the first-ever National Special Districts Day as special district leaders across the country gather in DC to meet with Congress and advocate for communities they serve. Thank you for championing local services and advancing national impact.

CSDA's CEO Neil McCormick and Chief Advocacy & External Affairs Officer Kyle Packham are in Washington D.C. this week with representatives from National Special Districts Association to advocate for special districts on Capitol Hill. #NSDA #specialdistricts #DistrictsAdvocate

As ZEV requirements move forward, flexibility is critical for local agencies to maintain essential services. Implementation must reflect real world operational needs, especially for emergency response. Learn more: https://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article_ca6ce178-4806-4707-a1b2-b33df04818e3.html

Great meeting with the office of Asm. Sharon Quirk-Silva alongside fellow special district leaders. We had productive conversations on key issues impacting our communities, including water resources, library services, mosquito & vector control, and the proposed new Orange County Veterans Cemetery.

CSDA's Marcus Detwiler and Ripon Fire Chief Eric DeHart recently testified before the CA Senate Transportation Committee opposing a proposal to divert local revenue to the CA High-Speed Rail project.

Rural healthcare districts are on the front lines of care — and last week’s Rural Healthcare Policy Tour at Northern Inyo Healthcare District made that clearer than ever.

"Our District depends on diesel-powered trucks capable of hauling 15,000-pound mastication equipment into remote, mountainous terrain. Currently, no CARB-compliant vehicles on the market meet these operational demands..."

California has launched its first conservancy in 15 years — the Salton Sea Conservancy will support long-term habitat restoration, improve air quality, and deliver lasting benefits to communities around the Salton Sea.

Library districts make books, learning, and programs accessible — keeping communities informed, inspired, and connected. #NSDAdistricts #NationalLibraryWeek

"No agency can effectively protect the public with 75% of its emergency fleet grounded or unavailable if they are not ZEVs. California has already experienced devastating wildfires, storms and power outages.

California #ZEV regulations ban trucks that protect our environment. Public comment period ends TODAY! Ask #CARB for local flexibility: csda.net/zev-flexibility

Yesterday, CSDA Senior Field Coordinator Chris Palmer met with CA State Sen. Kelly Seyarto’s district office staff, alongside Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and Tenaja Community Services District.

Local agencies are being asked to do the impossible. Without expanded #ZEV exemptions, emergency response is at risk. Public comment period end APRIL 17. Ask #CARB for local flexibility: http://csda.net/zev-flexibility 🎥 Kimberly Thorner, General Manager, Olivenhain Municipal Water District