Policy Insider – March 30, 2026
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Appropriations: DHS shutdown continues with no resolution in sight
On March 27, the Senate passed a bill to fund most of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — everything except Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Protection — after a 42-day shutdown. The House declined to take up the Senate bill and instead passed its own measure to fund all of DHS through May 22. With both chambers now on a two-week recess and no agreement reached, the shutdown is expected to continue into at least mid-April. Counties rely on DHS funding for FEMA grants, emergency preparedness programs and public safety operations, and NACo will monitor developments closely. Read NACo's policy update.
Housing: White House issues Executive Order on housing construction barriers
On March 19, the White House issued an Executive Order directing federal agencies to review and revise regulations, permitting requirements, building and energy standards and historic preservation practices that may be increasing housing construction costs or timelines. The order has direct implications for county land use authority, permitting processes and local housing programs. NACo is analyzing the order and its potential effects on county planning and development functions. Read NACo’s policy update.
Public Lands: Senators introduce bipartisan bill to reauthorize Federal Lands Access Program
Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the FLAP Reauthorization Act (S. 4135) to extend the Federal Lands Access Program, which provides essential funding for transportation projects on or adjacent to federal lands in gateway communities. FLAP is a critical resource for rural counties with significant federal land. NACo supports reauthorization and will engage on county priorities as the bill advances. Read NACo's policy update.
Human Services: Bipartisan House bills introduced to modernize the Chafee Foster Care Program
Members of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare introduced five bipartisan bills to modernize the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program, addressing housing access, workforce training, education, legal services and parenting support for youth transitioning out of foster care. Several proposals would improve coordination with existing federal programs, creating new opportunities for county child welfare agencies. In the 11 states where counties administer child welfare, these bills would have direct operational impact. Read NACo's policy update.
Elections: SAVE America Act remains under consideration
The SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296) — which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections — remains under active Senate consideration. NACo continues to engage on county concerns, including unfunded mandates on election offices, compressed implementation timelines, criminal penalties for election workers and lack of flexibility for diverse local election systems. Read NACo's SAVE America Act brief.
NACo in Action
NACo continues Hill outreach on surface transportation and BASICS Act
NACo is actively meeting with congressional offices and committee staff to advance county priorities in surface transportation reauthorization. With bill text expected imminently, NACo is making the case for inclusion of the BASICS Act (H.R. 7437) — which would guarantee direct, formula-based federal funding for county-owned roads and bridges. NACo is urging county leaders to reach out to their House Representatives to cosponsor the bill. View NACo's Surface Transportation Reauthorization Hub.
NACo engages Congress on FirstNet reauthorization
As Congress advances discussion on draft legislation to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) before its February 2027 sunset, NACo submitted a letter expressing strong support for reauthorization. FirstNet connects more than 30,000 public safety agencies — including county sheriff's offices and emergency management agencies — with dedicated broadband communications during disasters and day-to-day emergencies. NACo urged Congress to act swiftly to preserve this critical public safety network. Read NACo’s policy update.
April is National County Government Month — resources available
April is National County Government Month, and NACo has a full toolkit to help counties champion their workforce, boost civic engagement and raise public awareness of the essential services counties provide. The toolkit includes press releases, proclamations, sample social media posts and educational resources. Share with us how your county is celebrating. Get the toolkit.
County Impact & Action Needed
BASICS Act — action needed now
Congressional negotiations are underway on surface transportation reauthorization, which will determine five-year federal funding levels and policies for roads, bridges, public transit and more.
County Action: Use NACo's template letter to contact your U.S. Representative and urge support for the bipartisan BASICS Act (H.R. 7437), which would guarantee direct federal funding for county-owned roads and bridges.
Housing and Section 205 — engage your Senators and Representatives
With the Senate having passed its housing package, both chambers must go to conference. Section 205 of H.R. 6644 would impact, and potentially reduce, certain county CDBG allocations.
County Action: Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives to urge support for a House-Senate conference and exclusion of Section 205 in the final bill.
What's Next
- DHS funding: The Senate passed a partial DHS funding bill, but the House declined to take it up and instead passed its own measure to fund all of DHS through May 22. With both chambers now on a two-week recess and no agreement reached, the shutdown is expected to continue into at least mid-April. NACo will monitor developments and update members on impacts to county-administered DHS programs including FEMA and emergency preparedness grants.
- SAVE America Act: Senate action is expected to continue. NACo will monitor developments and keep members updated on any provisions affecting county election administration.
- Surface transportation reauthorization: NACo will continue advocating for inclusion of the BASICS Act as bill text and markup timelines come into focus.
- Housing: NACo will continue engaging both chambers on the path to conference and will advocate for a final package that excludes Section 205 and supports CDBG-DR institutionalization, HOME program flexibility and other county housing priorities.
- FLAP Reauthorization: NACo will engage with Senate sponsors and House counterparts on county priorities as the bill moves through the legislative process.
- Chafee Foster Care Program: NACo will monitor the five bipartisan House bills and engage with the Ways and Means Subcommittee to ensure county child welfare agencies are reflected in any final legislation.
Webinar Series
NACo Policy Insider: Understanding the Federal Landscape for Counties
Join NACo Policy Insider’s biweekly webinar series for timely updates on the federal policy landscape impacting counties and deeper dives into the issues shaping local leadership. Each session equips county leaders with insights, context and strategies to engage effectively on key issues ranging from transportation and infrastructure to public lands, health and human services, and more.
U.S. Forest Service begins revision process for regulations on road and trail closure in National Forests
On August 21, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it is moving forward with plans to revise the 2005 Travel Management Rule, which regulates how USFS plans which roads and trails are open to the public. Revising the Travel Management Rule is an important step that will increase public access to National Forests and help connect forest communities. As part of the rulemaking process, USFS is seeking public comment on its proposed revisions. Counties have until September 23 to submit comments on the agency’s initial action.
Congress passes short-term funding bill, keeping the federal government funded through Dec. 11 and delaying OMB rule
The U.S. Congress 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.
USPS rule to restrict mail-in ballots makes its way through federal courts after ruling by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision to allow the Trump administration to move forward with its Executive Order 14399 directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to compile official U.S. citizenship lists to be used in voter citizenship verification and the U.S. Postal Service to impose new mail-in ballot restrictions.
U.S. Forest Service seeks comment on proposal to rescind 2001 Roadless Rule in National Forests
Roadless Rule
On August 20, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. The rule prohibits road construction, reconstruction and most timber management on almost 45 million acres of National Forest land, and its repeal would give federal forest managers significant flexibility to manage forests in accordance with local need.
U.S. Forest Service reopens Resource Advisory Committee nomination process
On August 13, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced it was reopening the nomination process for Resource Advisory Committee (RACs) that direct certain funding from the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. County elected officials are eligible and encouraged to apply to serve on a RAC by November 12, 2026.