AI Policy Advocacy Resource Hub
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This hub serves as a comprehensive resource offering background on the county role in AI, key county policy and advocacy asks, educational primers on counties & AI and additional information to help county leaders understand the dynamics taking place at the national level.
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The county role in artificial intelligence is expanding. Since the dawn of generative AI in 2022, counties have sought to responsibly adopt artificial intelligence – striking a balance between fostering innovation in local government services, and protecting residents from unforeseen risks. As Congress and the Administration seek to develop a national framework on artificial intelligence, counties remain steadfast in achieving our priorities while respecting key roles that exist across the intergovernmental partnership.
This hub serves as a comprehensive resource offering background on the county role in AI, key county policy and advocacy asks, educational primers on counties & AI and additional information to help county leaders understand the dynamics taking place at the national level. This platform will equip county leaders to have productive conversations with lawmakers on how counties are partners in the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence across the country.
NACo 2025-2026 Artificial Intelligence Policy Priorities
Read NACo’s key policy priorities for the 119th Congress in more detail here.
The 119th Congress has an opportunity to pass meaningful laws on a bipartisan basis that will address the opportunities and challenges of AI. By promoting policies that incorporate and prioritize intergovernmental collaboration, Congress can balance innovation in the AI economy with safeguarding against nefarious uses of the technology.
Key county AI policy priorities include the following:
- Establish an intergovernmental working body for artificial intelligence (AI) that addresses the different policymaking roles for AI at the federal, state, and local levels to improve coordination and respect assigned roles of government.
- Protect local land use and zoning policies in the construction and placement of AI infrastructure
- Provide direct funding assistance to counties to promote AI education and workforce development initiatives.
- Promote voluntary standards for public sector procurement of AI solutions while preserving state and local flexibility to meet the unique needs of communities.
- Guard against a novel cybersecurity threat landscape by investing in local IT infrastructure and information-sharing capacity.
- Strengthen enforcement and regulatory oversight at agencies to combat fraud geared towards consumers.
- Implement federal guidance clarifying provisions of liability for adverse outcomes of AI products in the public sector.
Oppose the Preemption of Local Broadband Permitting Authorities
Urge your Members of Congress to oppose the preemption of local permitting authorities as outlined in H.R. 2289, The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.).
Reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
Urge your Members of Congress to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)
Support the Reauthorization of the First Responder Network Authority
Urge your Members of Congress to preserve the National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) and pass legislation to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority). On January 28 2026, Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) and Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) introduced discussion draft legislation to reauthorize the FirstNet Authority to 2037, while clarifying the mission of the NPSBN, establishing new governance measures for the FirstNet Authority and encouraging continued network development to meet emerging technology needs.
Enhance Resources and Support For County Compliance with Web-Based Accessibility Standards
Urge your Members of Congress to explore legislative solutions and resources to support local compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Final Rule titled Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities.
Featured News & Resources
White House Signs Executive Order on Increased Cybersecurity Defense for AI
The White House EO directs multiple federal agencies to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and improve the secure deployment of advanced AI technologies.
White House sends legislative recommendations on national AI policy framework to Congress
The proposals prioritize children’s online safety, intellectual property rights, establishing risk mitigation and duty of care for AI , and enshrining protections for ratepayers.
White House signs Executive Order on state AI lawmaking
President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) aimed at mobilizing federal agencies to challenge existing state laws on artificial intelligence.
White House releases AI Action Plan: What it means for counties
The White House releases America’s AI Action Plan, a national framework to guide artificial intelligence infrastructure initiatives and federal policymaking across a range of priority areas.
NACo Submits Comments to the White House on Development of a National AI Action Plan
On February 6, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced its first steps towards creating an Artificial Intelligence Action Plan by seeking public comments on what priority policy action items should be implemented at the national level.
Latest from NACo on AI
Explore the feed below pulling the latest from NACo on AI, and for more visit the Technology and Telecommunications topic page.
More Information
For more on AI, be sure to also visit NACo's relevant reports, programs and committees.
AI County Compass: A Comprehensive Toolkit for Local Governance and Implementation of Artificial Intelligence
The NACo AI Compass and Resource Hub provides county governments with essential tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). This toolkit covers key themes such as responsible applications, policy models, ethical frameworks, and workforce preparation, helping counties leverage GenAI for improved operations and services.
Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee
The AI Exploratory Committee examined and developed resources on emerging policies, practices and potential applications and consequences of AI through the lens of county governance, operations, constituent services, innovation, public trust, privacy, security, and workforce productivity.
Resource
Data Centers Resource Hub
NACo’s Data Center Resource Hub provides counties with a collection of strategies and resources to strengthen our approach to data center development and oversight. As local authority shapes decisions on permitting, infrastructure planning and community engagement for data centers, this dynamic hub turns ideas into practice across key areas, giving county leaders practical tools to support local decision making around development and long-term economic growth.
