Legislative Victories Rural Caucus representation in the California Legislature ensures a voice for rural communities and Rural Caucus members authored and/or supported passage of legislation addressing critical issues in their constituent communities. 2005-2006 • Assembly Bill 7 created the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund into which 33 1/3% of sport fishing license revenue will be deposited and used for hatcheries, wild, and heritage trout programs. • Assembly Bill 354 added the asynchronous store and forward teledermatology and teleophthalmology to the definition of telemedicine, and would limit the practice of those services to board certified dermatologists and ophthalmologists. • Assembly Bill 365 clarified that greenhouse operations on agricultural reserves are eligibile under the Williamson Act and shall be not assessed at any higher rate than the normal rate provided in the Williamson Act contracts for that county. • Assembly Bill 453 provided one additional year for local agencies to complete state-funded grade separation projects in rural and remote areas. • Senate Bill 70 this bill provided significant investment in vocational or Career Technical Education (CTE) and strengthens the partnership between community colleges and high schools to reform and expand vocational programs in rural California. • Senate Bill 453 this bill eliminated the statutory sunset of the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program and reinstated its historical funding. The program coordinates the efforts of Central Valley law enforcement and citizens to develop and implement new crime prevention strategies in an effort to reduce rural crime, specifically agricultural property crimes. 2004 • Assembly Bill 923 protects funding for the Carl Moyer program. • Assembly Bill 2706 delivers more federal grant funds earmarked for technology projects to smaller Northern California school districts. • Assembly Bill 2758 continues funding for the California Teleconnect Fund which provides discounted rates to qualifying schools, libraries, hospitals, health clinics, and community organizations. • Assembly Bill 1963 encourages the use of promotores de salud and community health workers to provide better health outcomes for rural and underserved communities through the various public health programs. • Senate Bill 260 authorizes the California Department of Corrections (CDC) and Health Care Districts to create regional Inmate Health Service Joint Powers Agencies (JPAs) which, if fully utilized, could help reduce inmate health care costs by an estimated $20,000,000 annually. • Senate Bill 1276 continued the State Public Utilities Commission (PUC) High Cost Fund programs which provide affordable and equitable basic telephone service in rural and remote areas.   Web site design by Legislative Data Center Photo Credit: Robert Holmes/California Division of Tourism