2023 has been a year to remember for CARPD! This year got off to a great start with the introduction of CARPD's new Legislative Advocate, Renne Public Policy Group ("RPPG"). RPPG, led by Alyssa Silhi and Sharon Gonsalves, has worked diligently with CARPD executive leadership, the Legislative Committee, and individual member districts to elevate our Association’s profile in Sacramento this past year and we look forward to continuing this great partnership. Please check out RPPG's End of Year Report for more on their legislative efforts and the impact made on CARPD's behalf in 2023.

Earlier this year, CARPD Board Members headed to the Capitol and met with legislators and key staff to explain the important role that recreation and park districts and community services districts play in California's communities. The Board also educated them on and advocated for CARPD's first-ever sponsored bill, AB 817 (Pacheco), which we will continue to push for into 2024.

In May, CARPD Members from nearly half of the association's membership joined us in Yosemite for the 2023 Annual Conference. We were lucky to have a number of great speakers join us at the beautiful Tenaya Lodge and it made for another great event. We closed the Conference with the installation of new CARPD officers including now CARPD Board President, Doug Nickles from Conejo Recreation and Park District.

In April and June, CARPD Executive Director, Matthew Duarte, provided testimony to two State committees in support of AB 334. The bill was signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 30, 2023 as Government Code Section 1097.6 which will now provide public agencies with new options to maintain independent contractors' continuity of services through a multistage project.

As always, throughout the year we had great member participation at our regular Legislative Committee meetings as well as our bi-monthly GM Roundtables hosted by CARPD Board Members, Michelle Lacy and Dean Wetter. 

Catch up on all things CARPD for the year 2023 by reflecting back on the links below. Thank you to all our members who helped make this year a great success! We wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all in 2024.