County Countdown – September 9, 2025

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

​Bipartisan FEMA reform bill advances to the House floor

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has ​passed​ the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act, marking a major step toward long-sought disaster reform.

• County-aligned reforms: The bill, which responds directly to county feedback, would convert FEMA’s Public Assistance program to a grant-based model, ensure fund disbursement within 120 days of a disaster and establish a universal disaster application.
• Structural changes: The bill ​proposes​ moving FEMA out from under the Department of Homeland Security and reestablishing it as a Cabinet-level agency. The FEMA Act would also require states to identify at least one pre-approved mitigation project in every county.
• Next step: The bill now awaits full House and Senate consideration, and counties are urged to continue ​advocacy​ to ensure final passage.

​USDA announces major reorganization affecting county services

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is undertaking a large-scale ​reorganization​ that will significantly alter how counties interact with rural development and nutrition programs.

• What’s changing: USDA will reduce its Washington, D.C. workforce by over half and establish five regional hubs, while the Forest Service and Food and Nutrition Service will consolidate their regional operations.
• County impacts: Administrative centralization may affect counties' ability to access grants, technical assistance and emergency coordination. NACo has submitted ​formal comments​ outlining county concerns.

​NACo urges county priorities in surface transportation reauthorization

NACo has ​submitted​ a detailed letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlining county infrastructure needs ahead of the surface transportation reauthorization.

• Key stats: Counties own 44% of public road miles and 38% of bridges – yet their assets are twice as likely to be in poor condition compared to state-owned infrastructure.
• Top priorities: NACo ​calls​ for rural road safety investments, rail safety legislation, locally led project flexibility and opposition to heavier truck allowances without added infrastructure funding.

New executive order reshapes federal grantmaking process

President Trump’s Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking Executive Order ​introduces sweeping changes​ in how federal agencies review and manage discretionary grants.

• Key provisions: The order ​requires​ agencies to prioritize grants aligned with administration policy goals, streamline applications and review awards annually. It also authorizes tighter financial controls, including grant termination and drawdown restrictions.
• County concern: At NACo’s Annual Conference, counties ​passed​ a resolution urging Congress and the administration not to freeze or revoke previously awarded funds – many of which support critical local services.

​DOJ publishes updated sanctuary jurisdictions list

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has ​released​ an updated list of designated sanctuary jurisdictions, reducing the ​list​ from nearly 400 counties to just four under a ​recent​ executive order.

• Designation criteria: According to the DOJ, characteristics of a sanctuary jurisdiction include – but are not limited to – refusals to honor ICE detainers without judicial warrants and limitations on immigration-related cooperation.
• Legal caution: NACo advises counties to consult legal counsel on immigration policies to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, especially as legal liability concerns persist.