County Countdown – Dec. 1, 2025

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.

1. Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations

With the government shutdown ended and a continuing resolution in place through late January, Congress can now focus on completing the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process. While the current continuing resolution maintains 2025 funding levels, final appropriations bills will determine whether counties see increases, cuts or policy changes affecting everything from emergency management to broadband deployment.

• Advocacy opportunity: For counties, this means renewed opportunities to advocate for critical programs that directly support local services. The continuing resolution included full-year appropriations for three of the 12 spending bills, leaving nine to go.
• Stay up to date: NACo's appropriations tracker highlights county priorities across the remaining bills, from PILT payments that sustain public lands counties, to community development block grants and rural infrastructure investments that serve residents nationwide.

4. NACo secures a county voice in permitting reform

On Nov. 20, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the SPEED Act, which reforms the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with a key amendment from NACo giving counties a greater voice in the permitting process.

• How NEPA impacts counties: NEPA – a 1970 law requiring federal agencies to conduct environmental reviews before major federal actions like construction projects or land-use decisions – affects nearly every infrastructure project involving federal funding, federal lands or federal permits.
• NACo advocacy: After sustained engagement from counties, the committee passed a bill that explicitly identifies "counties, boroughs, and parishes" as cooperating local agencies during federal environmental reviews, codifying our seat at the table as intergovernmental partners.
• Next steps: The SPEED Act now moves to the full House of Representatives.

3. House passes cybersecurity grant reauthorization

The House has passed the PILLAR Act, reauthorizing the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through 2033. This is a major win for counties, who face escalating cyber threats but often lack resources to build robust defenses.

• Key support for counties: The reauthorization maintains an existing requirement that 80 percent of state allocations pass through to local governments and expands eligible uses to include artificial intelligence systems and operational technology.
• Program success: The program has already funded 839 state and local cybersecurity projects since 2021. Reauthorization provides long-term stability for county IT security planning.
• Next steps: The bill now moves to the Senate.

4. World Cup and counter-drone grants announced

The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA have released notices of a funding opportunity for two new homeland security grant programs created by H.R. 1, passed earlier this year.

• Grant details: The FIFA World Cup program provides $625 million to 11 U.S. host cities, and the Counter-UAS program provides $250 million in 2026 to nine states plus the National Capital Region hosting major events.
• Important note: While these are not universal county programs, they represent significant federal support for regions facing extraordinary security and operational demands.
• Actions for counties: Counties in World Cup host regions should continue to coordinate with state and federal public safety officials and stay tuned for opportunities to engage through NACo with other host cities and counties. Both programs have Dec. 5 application deadlines.

5. EPA proposes a new WOTUS definition

The EPA and the Army Corps released a proposed rule defining "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.

• The proposal narrows federal jurisdiction and codifies the Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. EPA.
• Need for clarity: For counties that own and operate essential water infrastructure, regulatory clarity matters. NACo has advocated for clear, consistent definitions that help local officials easily determine jurisdictional status.
• NACo advocacy next steps: The proposal includes a 45-day comment period closing Jan. 5. NACo has a long history working on this issue and will continue coordinating with partner organizations to provide feedback on county impacts.