The Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the Veteran Women’s Mental Health Symposium—a dynamic event that brought together over 75 women veterans for an in-depth discussion on mental health challenges, available resources, and support systems. The symposium fostered a supportive community environment, empowering women veterans with practical tools and a network of advocates.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley provided welcome remarks, and a highlight of the event was the panel discussion, moderated by Kathryn Morrison, ACC-OC’s Director of Member Services, herself a veteran, who expertly guided conversations and shared personal insights from her own experience.
ACC-OC continues to demonstrate its commitment to the veteran community through initiatives such as the newly established Healthcare, Veterans and Community Services Committee, which focuses on enhancing healthcare access and developing comprehensive support programs. Through these efforts and events like the symposium, ACC-OC remains a steadfast advocate for the well-being of those who have served our country.
Join us for this critical ACC-OC Special Briefing - Strengthening Integrity in Public Leadership held in partnership with the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Orange County District Attorney's Office and Orange County Sheriff’s Department. This essential conversation will feature expert insights from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Ahn who will discuss red flag signs of public corruption, practical applications, and resources for ensuring good governance, alongside a vital briefing from the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) on combating malign foreign influence.
This event is open to Orange County Elected Officials and Senior Staff only. Registration Required.
Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, April 17th
Location: County Administration South (CAS) Conference Center (parking and location details provided upon registration) Time: 1:30-3:30 PM (please arrive at 1:00 for parking and check-in)
Program:
1:00-1:30 - Arrive and Check In
1:30 - Program Begins with Welcome and Remarks from OC Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee and OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer
1:45 - Special Briefing by Former Assistant US Attorney Daniel Ahn
2:45 - OCAIC Briefing – Combatting Malign Foreign Influences
3:30 - Program Concludes
Light Refreshments will be served.
Please contact Lauren Kline, Director of Programs and Operations at lkline@accoc.org with any questions.
At today’s ACC-OC Legislative & Regulatory Committee meeting, we welcomed Dr. Sarah Rees, Deputy Executive Officer for Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). Dr. Rees provided an essential update on Proposed Amended Rules (PARS) 1111 and 1121, which aim to reduce NOx emissions from natural-gas-fired furnaces and water heaters.
While these regulations could bring significant environmental changes, concerns remain about transparency, financial impacts on homeowners and businesses, public awareness, and the readiness of the electrical grid. A coalition of stakeholders urges AQMD to delay implementation until at least 2029 to allow for infrastructure improvements and cost mitigation.
What’s Next?
March 21, 2025 - Stationary Source Committee
May 2, 2025 - Public Hearing (subject to change)
Two New Released Documents
Third Preliminary Proposed Amended Rule 1111 - February 28, 2025
Third Preliminary Proposed Amended Rule 1121 - February 28, 2025
ACC-OC remains committed to advocating a balanced, practical approach supporting environmental goals and economic feasibility.
ACC-OC's Submitted Letter | SCAQMD Presentation |
On February 27th, ACC-OC's Legislative and Regulatory Committee convened to review and take positions on critical legislation impacting Orange County. The committee voted to support the following bills:
AB 226 (Calderon) California FAIR Plan Association
SB 38 (Umberg) Proposition 36 Implementation
SB 233 (Seyarto) RHNA Reform
CASLAR/ Sober Living Regulations
AB 3 (Dixon) Alcohol and drug treatment facilities: local regulation
AB 423 (Davies) Alcohol and drug recovery or treatment facilities: discharge and continuing care planning
AB 424 (Davies) Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints
AB 425 (Davies) Certification of alcohol and other drug programs
AB 448 (Patel) Short-term residential therapeutic program: requirements
AB 492 (Valencia) Alcohol and drug programs: licensing
SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery or treatment facilities: investigations
These bills align with ACC-OC's mission to advocate for policies that support Orange County's cities and residents. Stay tuned for further updates.
ACC-OC February Bill Briefs
ACC-OC’s Sacramento Advocacy Trip is SOLD OUT!
Next week, ACC-OC will be in Sacramento for our highly anticipated, sold-out Advocacy Trip from March 17 to 18, 2025. We’re thrilled to have a full group of local Orange County leaders join us as we meet with key legislators, state agencies, and policy experts to discuss critical issues such as housing, transportation, infrastructure, utilities, public safety, and more.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the trip! We’ll be sharing real-time insights and highlights through our newsletter and social media, so make sure to follow along and stay engaged as we work to shape the future of Orange County in Sacramento.
Follow Our Socials
Webinar: Transforming Medi-Cal through California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)
The Association of California Cities—Orange County (ACC-OC) and CalOptima Health invite all Orange County-based federal, state, and local elected officials, as well as their staff and ACC-OC affiliate members, to participate in this webinar.
Women in Leadership
Join us for the 3rd Annual Orange County Women in Leadership Summit as we focus on empowering women in elected office, business, and community-based organizations. Building on the success of the past two years, this summit will bring together Orange County’s leaders to explore strategies to drive meaningful change and accelerate effective action across all sectors. Be part of the conversation and help shape the future of women’s leadership in our region. #OCWOMENLEAD2025
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To find out more information about these events or to register, visit our upcoming events page!
ACC-OC is proud to serve as the SoCalGas Regional Energy Pathways Program Ambassador for Orange County, helping cities and public sector organizations improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
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Benefits of Participating:
✔ No-cost energy assessments to identify saving opportunities
✔ Financial support for energy-efficient equipment upgrades
✔ Expert guidance from energy professionals on best practices
✔ Reduced energy consumption to meet state and local sustainability goals
✔ Project management assistance to streamline implentation
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Through programs like the Large Public Sector Program and Public Direct Install Program, eligible organizations can receive:
Whole facility energy audits to create customized energy-saving roadmaps
No-cost efficiency upgrades, including hot water insulation, low-flow fixtures, and commercial kitchen improvements
Rebates and on-bill financing for energy-efficient equipment installations
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To learn more about how your city or organization can benefit, contact Marlene Barraza (mbarraza@accoc.org) to schedule a meeting or ask questions!
Large Public Sector Program | Public Direct Install Program |
CalOptima Health
CalOptima, the health insurance provider for low-income residents in Orange County, is expanding its innovative Street Medicine Program to Santa Ana. This program delivers medical care directly to individuals experiencing homelessness, addressing the critical need for accessible healthcare among this vulnerable population.
The expansion is a direct response to the growing number of people facing homelessness in Santa Ana and the surrounding areas. Many of these individuals face significant barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services, such as transportation challenges and lack of stable housing. By bringing healthcare to the streets, CalOptima aims to improve health outcomes and provide essential services to those in need, including preventative care, mental health support, and chronic disease management.
Press Release
Southern California Association of Governments
Applications for the 2025 SCAG Scholarship Program are now open. The program, in partnership with the California Transportation Foundation, provides nine $4,000 scholarship awards for high school or community college students from the SCAG region. Applications are due electronically on March 21. More information is available on the SCAG website.
City of Laguna Beach
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The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is set to host its annual State of the City Mayor's Luncheon on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the Montage Laguna Beach, located at 30801 South Coast Highway. This event allows attendees to gain insights into the city's activities, with presentations from Laguna Beach's Mayor and other city officials. The Chamber will also provide an overview of recent highlights and future goals.
All tickets for the luncheon have been sold out. However, the event will be accessible to the public via a live stream.
For additional information, including how to join the live stream, visit the official event page:
State Treasurer's Office
Join the State Treasurer’s Office for Inside the Vault, a quarterly webinar series designed to provide local leaders with updates on financial programs and resources that benefit their communities.
Key Topics for the March 19, 2025 Webinar (1:00 PM - 1:30 PM):
✔ State Treasurer’s Office Updates
✔ Sales Tax Exclusion Program – Learn about tax incentives for qualifying businesses
✔ California Debt & Investment Advisory Committee’s Education Portal – Access financial education and guidance.
Sustain SoCal
Sustain SoCal is hosting its "Agriculture & Food Systems" event on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Cove, UCI Beall Applied Innovation, located at 5270 California Avenue, Irvine, CA. This gathering aims to bring together regional leaders to explore sustainable practices and technological innovations in agriculture and food systems.
Event Details:
Date & Time: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: The Cove, UCI Beall Applied Innovation, 5270 California Avenue, Irvine, CA
Agenda Highlights:
Registration & Networking: 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Welcome Remarks: 1:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Scott Kitcher, President & CEO, Sustain SoCal
Chris Karr, Project Lead, Climate Action Business Incubator (CABI)
Juan Carrillo, Hub Director, RevHubOC
Kiran Manchikanti, CEO, MAPSOL GEO
Keynote Address: 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
Jose Arriaga, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures, County of Orange
Roundtable Discussions: 1:50 PM – 4:50 PM
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Food Systems
Eliminating and Diverting Food Waste
Reception: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Get discounted tickets prior to
Thursday, March 20th at 11:59pm.
City of Newport Beach
A significant environmental advancement has taken place in Upper Newport Bay, where the West Coast's first water wheel, named "Mr. Trash Wheel," has been installed to address the growing concern of water pollution in the area. This innovative device is designed to efficiently collect floating debris, including plastic waste and other pollutants, thereby improving water quality and protecting local wildlife habitats.
The introduction of "Mr. Trash Wheel" marks a pivotal moment in environmental conservation efforts along the West Coast, offering a promising solution to the persistent problem of water pollution in urban waterways.
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Join MWDOC’s Water Policy Forum & Dinner on Thursday, March 20, 2025, featuring Deven Upadhyay, the newly appointed General Manager of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. With over 20 years of experience, Upadhyay has played a key role in shaping Southern California’s water future through leadership in system operations, engineering, and resource management.
This must-attend event provides a unique opportunity to hear Upadhyay’s vision and strategies for addressing the region’s evolving water challenges. Attendees will connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and water experts for meaningful discussions on water policy, sustainability, and regional planning.
Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged in the future of Southern California’s water supply! Visit MWDOC’s website for more details and registration.
California Public Utilities Commission
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Join the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for an in-depth webinar on wildfire oversight and mitigation. This session will provide valuable insights into the CPUC’s role in wildfire safety, enforcement, and regulatory actions.
CPUC's Safety and Enforcement Division (SED) will review its collaboration with other state agencies, wildfire investigations, wildfire oversight, and the process of conducting a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). SED will also review enforcement actions and present a real-life case study of a PSPS/wildfire investigation. The CPUC Safety Policy Division (SPD) will discuss wildfire mitigation plans, tracking the implementation of these plans, and CPUC's oversight role.
Details:
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
California Energy Commission National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program – Solicitation 2 This program supports expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, contributing to the national EV network under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funding aims to boost EV infrastructure across California. Application Deadline: March 25, 2025 | Department of Labor  Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)  This program provides funding to support the reintegration of homeless veterans, including specialized initiatives such as the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) and the Homeless Women Veterans' and Homeless Veterans' with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC). These grants aim to assist veterans in securing meaningful employment and achieving long-term stability.  Application Deadline: March 17, 2025 |
Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation/ 2023 PLHA NOFA  This program provides long-term funding to support affordable housing, homeless prevention programs, and other housing-related projects. Funds are allocated based on California jurisdictions’ housing needs.  Application Deadline: June 30, 2027 | Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service  This program provides technical and financial support to conserve priority coastal ecosystems. Through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies, the Coastal Program aims to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats on both public and private lands.  Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 |