2023 Western Interstate Region Conference
About the Conference
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the fifteen Western states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming – and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges.
County News
WIR showcases Utah counties
Next step on PILT requires more outreach
Facing headwinds on making PILT funding permanent, county veteran Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) told county officials to reach out to any member of Congress who will listen.
Counties receive first Secure Rural Schools payments after program is reauthorized
On February 20, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced that counties across the country will receive payments through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program for the first time in nearly two years. The release of payments will deliver critical relief to timber-dependent counties that rely on these funds to maintain essential services as they transition toward long-term fiscal stability.
House Agriculture Committee introduces 2026 Farm Bill
On February 13, House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.-15) introduced the House version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.
Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 signed into law in victory for counties
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-58) into law. The reauthorization of the SRS program is a major victory for counties and ensures that timber-dependent counties will receive critical funding to maintain essential local government services such as public education and transportation infrastructure.
DOI announces creation of new U.S. Wildland Fire Service
On September 15, the U.S. Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Agriculture (USDA) announced major joint directives to change how the agencies will coordinate and provide wildfire response, including the creation of a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service within Interior.
U.S. House of Representatives passes SPEED Act and other permitting reform bills
On December 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SPEED Act (H.R. 4776). The SPEED Act would strengthen county involvement in decision-making and make needed commonsense reforms to the federal environmental review process.