Advocacy Hub
Through NACo, advocate for county priorities in federal policy making
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Get involved and make a difference. Learn how you can join a NACo committee or caucus and drive our federal policy agenda.
Take Action to Support County Priorities
Counties play an instrumental role in the overall public administration and governance of federal, state and local policies, programs and services.
NACo supports federal policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to effectively serve our residents. NACo works to preserve local decision making and protect counties from unfunded mandates and preemption of local authority. Since counties implement many federal programs at the local level and must enforce many federal regulations, NACo encourages meaningful intergovernmental consultation with counties throughout all federal policy, program and regulatory development processes.
NACo Federal Policy Priorities
2024–2025 American County Platform and Resolutions
The American County Platform is NACo’s permanent policy document, reflecting the philosophy and broad objectives of NACo’s membership.
2024 Federal Policy Priorities
NACo supports federal policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to serve our residents effectively.
Policy Briefs
Explore the updated legislative policy briefs for NACo's ten policy steering committees.
County Countdown
July 1, 2024
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Supreme Court Update: Chiaverini vs. City of Napoleon
The county perspective on a case involving malicious prosecution
Supreme Court Update: Gonzalez v. Trevino
The county perspective on a case involving retaliatory arrests
Congress reauthorizes critical SAFER and AFG grants until 2030
On June 18, Congress took a significant step in supporting local fire departments across the nation by passing the Fire Grants and Safety Act. Pending President Biden’s signature, final passage ensures the continuation and enhancement of the AFG and SAFER grant programs.
County Policy Priorities for Transforming the Child Welfare System
Regardless of population size, geography and available resources, counties are deeply invested in our residents’ health and well-being. Every day, we provide services that help vulnerable individuals and families thrive, functioning as an integral part of the federal, state and local partnership in human service delivery.
Ten states added to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Medicaid Demonstration Program
On June 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through CMS and SAMHSA, announced that ten new states have joined the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program.
Department of the Interior announces PILT funding total of over $621 million will be distributed to counties
On June 26, the Department of the Interior announced that more than 1,900 state and local governments around the country will receive a total of $621.2 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2024.
Latest Advocacy Updates
White House announces new actions to repurpose public lands available for affordable housing
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
On November 15, 2021, President Biden enacted the five-year, $973 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, formally known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: FY 2024 Appropriations
In March 2024, Congress passed and the president signed two Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 “minibus” appropriations bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024.
Legislative Analysis: Impact of PFAS Regulations on Counties
NACo's analysis provides an in-depth examination of current and proposed regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their implications for county governments.
NACo Federal Funding Matrix
NACo is your voice in Washington. Our experts review federal funding opportunities for counties daily. Explore our interactive funding matrix to find support for your local priorities.
Latest Policy Analysis
The County Human Services and Education Landscape
The role of counties varies widely from state to state, but human services and education expenditures are among the largest parts of county budgets: every year, counties invest $62.8 billion in federal, state and local resources and employ 259,000 human services workers.
Policy Steering Committees
Caucuses
Ad Hoc & Task Force Committees
Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee
NACo's AI Exploratory Committee covers emerging policies, practices and potential applications and consequences of Artificial Intelligence (AI), through the lens of county government governance, operations, constituent services, innovation, public trust, privacy, and security, and workforce productivity.
NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
Launched in February 2023, the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing brings together county leaders from across the nation to take action to address the ever-growing mental health crisis from the county government perspective.
Legislative Analysis
NACo Legislative Analysis: Farm, Food, and National Security Act
After months of negotiations, lawmakers on the House Committee on Agriculture advanced their version of the 2024 Farm Bill, dubbed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, after a committee markup on May 23. The bipartisan legislative package passed 31-22 with full support from committee Republicans and four Democratic votes.
NACo Analysis: U.S. Department of Justice Final Rule on Web Accessibility for State and Local Governments
NACo Overview of the U.S. Department of Justice Final Rule on Web Accessibility for State and Local Governments
Legislative Analysis: Impact of PFAS Regulations on Counties
NACo's analysis provides an in-depth examination of current and proposed regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their implications for county governments.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: FY 2024 Appropriations
In March 2024, Congress passed and the president signed two Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 “minibus” appropriations bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024.
The Conforming Rule: The Waters of the United States
The definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) directly impacts county governments as owners and operators of local infrastructure.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA will strengthen county resiliency and better prepare us to address risks in a manner that can minimize the impact on local residents and businesses, while helping counties save money.