NACo Publishes 2025 AI Policy Priorities Primer

AI Capitol Hill

Key Takeaways

On December 4, NACo published its Key Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Priorities for Counties for the 119th Congress, building on the policy platform proposals voted on and passed at NACo’s 2024 Annual Conference. AI and Generative AI (GenAI) technologies have brought new opportunities for counties to automate existing practices, while also posing new challenges and risks that should be thoroughly addressed. Counties stand ready to serve as intergovernmental partners in the continued policy approach to AI and GenAI technologies. 

Read the full brief here

Key AI policy priorities for counties include: 

  • Establishing an intergovernmental governance structure that addresses the various uses of generative AI across different sectors.
  • Dedicating a new information sharing analysis center (ISAC) for the creation of resource hubs and task forces, and development of an ongoing communication channel for intergovernmental coordination.
  • Providing direct funding assistance to promote digital literacy and best practices, assistance for counties and workforce development.
  • Dedicating support mechanisms to federal and local government agencies promoting the use of AI for public services.
  • Mitigating the negative uses of GenAI in the election space.
  • Strengthening funding resources and regulatory oversight at independent agencies to combat mis- and dis-information geared toward consumers.
  • Implementing federal guidance clarifying that liability for outputs causing discrimination rests with the owners and operators of AI models.
  • Adopting and disseminating data privacy governance standards and best practices across all levels of government.
  • Requiring public engagement and participation in AI policy making processes to ensure the voices of diverse stakeholders are heard and considered.

As county responsibilities are vast, ranging from owners of critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges to providing essential human services, counties have a vested interest in ensuring the governmental use of AI and GenAI will be deployed safely and reliably across all sectors and levels of government. 

Counties support legislation for a national AI education campaign, focused on risk management, consumer education, and workforce training to better prepare individuals and counties for the shifting landscape. NACo is also signed on to the of the “Take It Down Act” (S. 4569), which passed in the Senate on December 3. Introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), this bill criminalizes non-consensual intimate image-sharing and serves as an example of how counties push back against clear, nefarious uses of the technology. 

Counties are committed to working with the new administration and Congress to advance these policy priorities in a bipartisan manner. Counties will continue to evaluate initiatives from the White House and Congress, such as executive orders, new policies energy reform and land use, and research and development initiatives on AI in the coming year.

Related News

Capitol Building
Advocacy

U.S. House passes rescissions package

On June 12,  the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) in a narrow 214-212 vote. The legislation would cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved federal funding, marking the Trump Administration’s first formal attempt to codify funding cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

Department of Commerce in Herbert Hoover Building
Advocacy

NTIA releases new guidance on BEAD program funding rules

On June 6, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Policy Notice modifying the requirements outlined in the Broadband Equity Access Deployment (BEAD) Notice of Funding Opportunity.

THE_County Countdown_working_image-4.png
Advocacy

County Countdown – June 3, 2025

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. This week features sanctuary jurisdictions, the TAKE IT DOWN Act and more.