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
NACo testifies before Congress on national forest partnerships, urges long-term SRS reauthorization
Modoc County, Calif. Supervisor Ned Coe testified before the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture on behalf of NACo this week, making the case for stronger federal-county partnerships in national forest management — and urging Congress to act on Secure Rural Schools (SRS) reauthorization before the program lapses at the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026.
Public lands counties fight for SRS reauthorization
Without mandatory funding, county officials must consistently make the case to Congress for why payments of federal lands a crucial for providing essential services and infrastructure maintenance.
U.S. Department of the Interior announces distribution of $733 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes
On June 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the payment of $733 million to over 1,900 local governments through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. These funds support essential government services in public lands counties nationwide that are home to untaxable federal land.
Senate Agriculture Committee introduces 2026 Farm Bill, following House passage
On June 23, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the Senate version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026.
Congress begins reauthorization process for Great American Outdoors Act
On June 10, the leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources introduced the Great American Outdoors 250 Act, which would reauthorize programs stood up in the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to invest in recreation facilities on public lands. Led by Natural Resources Chair Burce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the bipartisan proposal would provide $1.9 billion annually to tackle deferred maintenance projects.
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces reorganization
On July 24, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country.