County Countdown – September 22, 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.
Congress continues negotiations ahead of government funding deadline
Contrasting government funding proposals have been introduced with House Republicans pushing for a "clean" seven-week stopgap funding bill, while Senate Democrats have introduced an alternative measure that would extend funding for four weeks with additional policy riders.
- Next steps: President Trump has indicated he will meet with House and Senate minority leaders to discuss a path forward.
- Why it matters: Counties rely on predictable federal funding to deliver services, and NACo continues to advocate for full-year, bipartisan appropriations agreements.
CMS launches $50B Rural Health Transformation Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced application details for the new Rural Health Transformation Program, created under H.R. 1.
- Massive investment: The program provides $10 billion annually starting fiscal 2026 through 2030 to strengthen local health care systems in rural areas.
- State-led plans: Only states can apply, but counties are urged to work with state leaders to shape proposals and define rural priorities.
Upcoming deadline: State applications are due Nov. 5, and awards are expected by Dec. 31.
NACo testifies before Congress on key county priorities
In three separate House hearings, NACo leaders emphasized counties’ roles in administering federal programs and managing federal lands.
- SNAP administration: Joy Bivens, deputy county administrator of Franklin County, Ohio, testified on the importance of improving local-state coordination for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program delivery.
- Public lands and energy: Commissioner Jerry Taylor of Garfield County, Utah, highlighted county involvement in balancing energy development and conservation.
- Rural development: Commissioner Paul Heimel of Potter County, Pa., remarked on USDA Rural Development's important role in empowering rural counties and recommended equitable county access to tools and funding.
USDA proposes repeal of longstanding Roadless Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the intention to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which restricts development on nearly 45 million acres of Forest Service land.
- Greater flexibility: Repeal would allow road construction and timber activity in previously restricted areas.
- Local input critical: NACo highlighted the importance of the county voice in shaping final rules to advance wildfire mitigation and strengthen rural economies.
- What’s next: With the comment period now closed, NACo continues engagement with USDA on implementation.
Federal agencies create new U.S. Wildland Fire Service
The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture have announced a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service to streamline wildfire response.
- Unified command: The initiative consolidates firefighting functions and standardizes hiring, pay and operations across agencies.
- New intelligence hub: A Fire Intelligence Center will be established to coordinate wildfire mitigation, response and recovery efforts.
- County engagement: Both departments have committed to including counties in the rollout of these structural changes.
House passes clean Continuing Resolution to fund the government through November 21
On September 16, the U.S. House passed the text of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 to extend government funding at current levels through November 21.
CMS announces Rural Health Transformation Program funding
On December 29, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced $50 billion in awards over 5 years to all 50 states under the Rural Health Transformation Program.
NACo testifies on the county role in administering SNAP
On September 9, Franklin County, Ohio Deputy County Administrator Joy Bivens testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture at a hearing titled “Exploring State Options in SNAP.”
U.S. Forest Service announces recission of Roadless Rule in National Forests
On August 29, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prohibited road construction, reconstruction and logging on almost 45 million acres of U.S. Forest Service land.
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.
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NACo submits comments on OMB's Proposed Rewrite of the Uniform Guidance
NACo submitted comments to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on its proposed rewrite of 2 CFR Part 200, the Uniform Guidance governing federal grants.
NACo endorses bipartisan legislation to reform agricultural workforce program
On June 30, House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.-15), along with 49 co-sponsors, including Reps. Don Davis (D-N.C.-01) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.-04), introduced the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 (H.R.9535).
Upcoming Events
Supreme Court Review for Local Governments: 2025-2026
Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the Supreme Court’s important decisions of the term impacting local governments.
Grassroots Advocacy Series: In-District Advocacy During Congressional Recess
This session will walk through NACo’s new recess advocacy guide and provide step-by-step guidance on engaging members of Congress while they are in their districts.
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.