Capital Loop - Oct. 17, 2016

Department of Homeland Security engages with NACo on elections cybersecurity

On Oct. 7, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held a national conference call with NACo and state associations of counties to discuss elections cybersecurity and the resources the agency is making available to counties to help protect voting systems. Read more here.

 

WIR Board adopts 2017 key issues

The Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors met Oct. 5 to 7 in Jackson County (Ashland), Ore. to conduct strategic planning for the organization, including setting their key policy issues for 2017.  The board adopted the following key policy issues:  strengthen local infrastructure; maintain access to Western lands and responsible development of Western resources; ensure certainty in federal county payments; promote safe and healthy communities; advocate for local control and strengthen the federal partnership.

Contact: Chris Marklund, cmarklund@naco.org

NACo Submits Comments on DOJ Proposal to Regulate County Websites

On Oct. 7, NACo submitted comments to DOJ on its Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) on the potential application of technical requirements to make state and local government websites accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The SANPRM, which was first released by DOJ May 9 to solicit public comment on the proposal, included more than 100 questions related to how county governments use, pay-for and maintain their websites.
NACo’s comments highlighted the voluntary work county governments have done to provide information, services and promote government transparency using the internet. NACo also emphasized that the resources available to each county vary widely and that broadband deployment, particularly in rural and low-income areas of the country, should precede applying new accessibility standards.
DOJ has not announced its timeframe for reviewing the submitted comments or its next steps in developing its proposed rule. Each of the comments filed to this SANPRM can be reviewed at www.regulations.gov RIN: 1190-AA65. 

U.S. House passes bill to delay overtime pay rule

The bill would delay for six months the U.S. Department of Labor’s overtime pay regulation that would make 4.2 million Americans newly eligible for overtime pay. The bill was passed Sept. 28.

U.S. House passes WRDA bill

On Sept. 28, the House passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA) (H.R. 5303) by a vote of 399–25. The Senate bill was passed Sept. 15.

Child welfare bill stalls as Congress breaks for elections

Congress was unable to finalize H.R. 5456, the Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPPSA) — a bill that would significantly reshape child welfare nationwide — before recessing until after the November elections.

Congress averts shutdown, passes bill to fund the government through Dec. 9

See County News, Oct. 3, “Congress Averts Shutdown.”

EPA announces $7 million now available for cutting school bus diesel emissions

EPA has announced that $7 million is available in rebates to public school bus fleet owners for the replacement or retrofit of older school bus diesel engines in order to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality. 
This is the fourth rebate program to fund cleaner school buses offered under the 2011 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) reauthorization. Nearly 25,000 buses across the country have already been made cleaner as a result of DERA funding.
The new EPA standards for diesel engines makes them more than 90 percent cleaner than older ones. Older diesel engines emit large quantities of pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxide, which have been linked to serious health problems. Modernizing school bus fleets with retrofits, replacements and reduction practices is aimed at reducing children’s exposure to air pollutants.
EPA will accept applications for this funding until Nov. 1, 2016. This is a resource that could be available to counties that operate their local school bus systems.
To learn more about the rebate program, applicant eligibility, selection process and informational webinar dates, visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-rebates. For FAQs, you can email CleanDieselRebate@epa.gov.