County Countdown – Nov. 17, 2025
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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.
1. Federal government shutdown ends
Congress passed legislation last week that ends the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. The bill funds most federal agencies through January 30, 2026, with full-year funding for three of the 12 annual appropriations bills – those impacting the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs and military construction.
This legislation comes after NACo and other state and local government organizations jointly asked Congress on November 7 to reopen the federal government. Impacts for counties include:
- Sustained human services support: Provides $107 billion for SNAP and $8.2 billion for WIC through September 2026, along with reimbursement of contingency reserves depleted during the shutdown.
- Cybersecurity capacity: Extends the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
- Rural connectivity: Continues the Essential Air Service program to maintain rural air access.
- Health care stability: Reauthorizes key health programs, including a delay in Disproportionate Share Hospital payment cuts.
- Farm Bill: Extends the Farm Bill authorization through September 2026.
2. New rulemaking for web accessibility
The Department of Justice has announced plans for new rulemaking to lower compliance costs for its 2024 web accessibility rule, which required counties to meet new standards for county websites.
- The original rule required county websites, applications and online tools to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AA standards, which would have carried implementation costs of $1 billion nationwide.
- County commitment to accessibility: Counties remain committed to making local digital services accessible for all residents, and NACo has provided members with technical guidance, regulatory analysis and compliance resources.
3. Surface transportation priorities guide NACo advocacy
On November 5, NACo and the Local Officials in Transportation Coalition sent congressional leaders a letter outlining transportation policy priorities – this in advance of next year’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization.
- Counties and surface transportation: Counties and municipalities own 75 percent of public roads and 50 percent of bridges nationwide but receive only 15 percent of federal formula dollars.
- Advocacy priorities: The coalition is requesting an increased percentage of Highway Trust Fund dollars be suballocated to local governments, and is also advocating for funding for rural transportation planning so rural counties can benefit from federally funded planning opportunities.
- Next steps: With the current surface transportation bill set to expire September 30, 2026, this is likely to be an ongoing issue of interest for counties in the coming months – NACo's Surface Transportation hub is set up as an evolving home for resources and action items for counties.
4. Senate committee advances the Fix Our Forests Act
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 18-5 on October 21 to advance the Fix Our Forests Act, bipartisan legislation strengthening active forest management to curtail wildfire risks.
- What’s in the bill: The bill simplifies environmental review for forest management, establishes a Fireshed Center — including local officials — to identify high-risk areas, and strengthens Good Neighbor Authority, allowing counties to reinvest revenues from joint federal land projects.
- Forest management: Additionally, it incentivizes treatment projects up to 10,000 acres, increasing management pace and scale.
- What’s next: The bill now awaits a full Senate floor vote, after which the differences in the House and Senate bills will be reconciled before the bill becomes law.
5. The Endangered Species Act and the gray wolf
On November 3, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced it would not develop a national recovery plan for the gray wolf, which is currently considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in much of the contiguous United States.
- The USFWS assessment,which determined that a nationwide recovery plan is no longer necessary for gray wolves, is consistent with previous federal agency findings that the species no longer warrants endangered or threatened species protection.
- County impact: Removing ESA designations would shift management of wolf populations onto states and counties, allowing for more flexible responses in accordance with local conditions.
Congress votes to end longest federal government shutdown in history
On November 12, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a Continuing Resolution and funding package (CR) to end the shutdown of the federal government that began October 1.
DOJ rule grants extension on ADA web-based accessibility requirements
DOJ has announced plans to explore ways to lower the cost of compliance with its 2024 Final Rule on web-based accessibility requirements for state and local governments.
NACo sends coalition letter on surface transportation priorities to congressional leaders
On November 5, NACo, in partnership with other members of the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition, sent a letter to two key Congressional committees—the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environmental & Public Works—outlining and reiterating the coalition’s top priorities for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Bipartisan legislation encouraging active forest management advances in U.S. Senate
On January 23, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471/S. 1462), also known as FOFA. Initially introduced by Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.), this bipartisan legislation will promote active forest management to curtail the wildfire crisis and protect rural communities, infrastructure and natural resources.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces it will not develop a recovery plan for the gray wolf
On November 3, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would not develop a national recovery plan for the gray wolf, which is currently considered endangered under the Endangered Species Act in much of the contiguous United States. The Service’s assessment, which determines that a nationwide recovery plan is no longer necessary for gray wolves, is consistent with previous federal agency findings that the species no longer warrant endangered or threatened species protection.
Senate passes bill to fund the government through December 11 and delay OMB Rule
The U.S. Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend government funding through December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Unform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered.
U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member introduces legislation to protect ratepayers from costs of data center expansion
On August 3, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Guarding Ratepayers from Increased Demand-costs (GRID) Savings Act of 2026. The proposed legislation would create a process for large electricity users to pay for any infrastructure costs associated with increased demand for the electric grid.
Senate Agriculture Committee holds Farm Bill markup, remains in committee
On August 6, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill.
IIJA authorities expire September 30 – NACo urges Congress to uphold full funding levels in highway program extension
With current surface transportation authorities set to expire on September 30, 2026, NACo is urging Congress to maintain full funding levels in any extension – and is calling on county leaders to reach out to their members of Congress now to make the case.
Senate Funding Bill Delivers a Win for Counties, Delaying OMB's Uniform Guidance Proposed Rule
The Senate Appropriations Committee releases CR language to fund the government until December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Uniform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered, a major win for counties.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases new guidelines for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act
On June 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule updating its implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. The updated rule follows EO 14154, Unleashing American Energy, and the Seven County Infrastructure v. Eagle County, Colo. decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Economic Considerations for Data Centers: Understanding Revenue, Risk and Long-Term Value
As the first webinar in NACo's Fall Data Center Webinar Series, this session will provide county officials with a foundation for understanding data center development before exploring the fiscal and economic considerations counties face.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, August 13
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, August 27
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Data Center Series: Understanding Electricity Trends
Building on the first webinar in NACo's Fall Data Center Series, this session uses that foundation in data center development and economic considerations to examine how data centers and other factors are reshaping electricity costs nationwide.
NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties, September 10
Join NACo for a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties.
Data Center Series: Water Use and Cooling
As the third session in NACo's Data Center Series, this call will focus on understanding water use and cooling of data centers.
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