County Countdown – June 3, 2024
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Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Watch the video above and explore NACo resources below.
Farm Bill
Congress is advancing on the Farm Bill reauthorization, with consensus on key elements beneficial to rural development and federal nutrition programs.
- County priorities: Both the U.S. House and Senate agree on crucial funding for rural and nutrition programs, with the House proposing a three-year extension for the Secure Rural Schools program.
- Take action: As this bill moves through the legislative process, read about county priorities for the Farm Bill and make sure your member of Congress knows where your county stands.
Michelle Alyssa Go Act
NACo endorses the Michelle Alyssa Go Act to expand Medicaid-eligible psychiatric care, addressing gaps in mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
- Legislative focus: The bill aims to modernize the outdated Institutions for Mental Disease exclusion, facilitating better access to long-term psychiatric care.
- Bipartisan progress: This legislation represents a significant bipartisan effort to enhance mental health services and lower barriers to comprehensive treatment.
- NACo's advocacy: By supporting this bill, NACo highlights the urgent need to remove federal restrictions that hinder effective mental health services.
AI and Election Administration
As counties prepare for the 2024 General Election, NACo is working with our federal partners to ensure election officials have the resources necessary to address risks and leverage opportunities related to artificial intelligence (AI).
- Senate action: The U.S. Senate is focusing on legislation regarding the intersection of election administration and AI.
- NACo AI Exploratory Committee: For the latest on the potential impacts of artificial intelligence, access resources from NACo's AI Exploratory Committee.
- Stay tuned: NACo is set to release a county toolkit and report on AI at the 2024 NACo Annual Conference in Hillsborough County, Fla.
HOME Program Updates
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) new rule aims to modernize the HOME Investment Partnership Program, enhancing counties' ability to address the housing affordability crisis.
- About HOME: The program provides formula grants to counties and states and is used to build, buy, or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership, as well as fund direct rental assistance to low-income individuals.
- Proposed changes: The rule introduces significant modifications to streamline funding application and implementation.
- Public feedback: Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments on the proposed changes by July 29, 2024.
House, Senate Agriculture Committees release frameworks for 2024 Farm Bill Reauthorization
After months of negotiations and gridlock, lawmakers on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have released competing frameworks for the 2024 Farm Bill. Explore NACo's full analysis.
Senate Rules Committee considers elections and AI legislation ahead of 2024 General Elections
Senate Rules Committee held business meeting on May 15 to markup and consider legislation on the role of artificial intelligence in elections.
HUD issues proposed rule to modernize the HOME program
On May 29, HUD issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modernize the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and enable counties to implement funding more efficiently.
Related News
U.S. Department of Agriculture launches modernization efforts for loan and grant systems
On June 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a major effort to modernize more than 130 loan and grant systems that support farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
NACo urges Congress to protect HAVA Election Security Grants in FY 2027
NACo sent a letter to congressional leaders urging the Senate to restore Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Election Security Grants to at least the FY 2026 enacted level of $45 million in the FY 2027 FSGG appropriations bill.
Holmes County, Miss.’s first strategic plan opens opportunities for industrial park
A $50,000 grant through NACo's Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility program helped a rural county start planning to grow.
Upcoming Events
Collaborative Leadership Leads to Housing for All
Join the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Homebuilders for a conversation on approaches to advancing attainable housing solutions in communities across the country.
Rural Resilience & Strategic Responses to the Opioid Epidemic
This webinar will highlight how rural counties are leveraging these resources to build coordinated, sustainable opioid response strategies.
Bolstering Operations and Trust in Your County through Election Excellence
Join us for a discussion with county election officials from across the country to learn about the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence’s newly launched nonpartisan Certification Program and how it can support efforts in your county to strengthen operations, increase public trust, and recognize excellence.