Legislative Analysis for Counties: FY 2026 Appropriations

Farm to School Grants

Farm to School grants help counties and local partners bring locally produced foods into school meal programs while supporting hands-on food and agriculture education that strengthens student health and local farm economies.

$5 million

$5 million

$0

0%

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC supports early childhood development, a key county priority, through nutrition assistance and service referrals. Though administered at the state level, WIC operates through 1,900 local agencies, including county health departments, at thousands of clinic sites.

$8.2 billion

$7.6 billion

+$600 million

+7.9%

Rural Water & Waste Disposal Program

The Rural Water and Waste Disposal program helps rural counties and small communities finance drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure, supporting public health, environmental compliance and critical infrastructure development where local rate bases are limited.

$445.9 million

$478.5 million

-$32.6 million

-6.8%

Rural e-Connectivity (ReConnect) Program

The Rural e-Connectivity (ReConnect) Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.

$50.8 million

$90 million

-$39.3 million

-43.6%

Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program

The Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program helps rural counties expand access to health care, education and public services by funding the equipment and technology needed to connect residents to telehealth and remote learning.

$40.8 million

$40 million

+$767,000

+1.9%

Community Connect Grant Program

The Community Connect program helps rural counties bring broadband to unserved, economically challenged areas by providing grants to build last-mile networks and establish community access points that connect residents to online services.

$17 million

$20 million

-$3 million

-15%

Rural Community Facilities Grants Program

The Rural Community Facilities program helps counties finance essential public facilities in rural communities, supporting priorities like public safety, health care and emergency response.

$677.2 million

$523 million

+$154.2 million

+29.48%

Rural Business Development Grants

The Rural Business Development Grants program helps rural counties support small business growth and job creation by funding local economic development initiatives.

$25 million

$29 million

-$4 million

-13.8%

Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Programs

NRCS conservation programs help counties and local partners fund locally driven conservation projects through competitive opportunities like watershed work, innovative pilots, and partnership-based initiatives.

$850 million

$896 million

-$46 million

-5.1%

Watershed Protection & Flood Prevention Operations

The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention program helps counties and local partners reduce flood risk and protect water resources.

$50 million

$14.7 million

+$35.3 million

+241%

Economic Development Administration

The EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

$468 million

$468 million

$0

0%

Economic Development Assistant Programs

EDA grants are critical to county economic development, particularly in rural areas, where such resources are often scarce.

$400 million

$400 million

$0

0%

U.S. Census Bureau

Counties support accurate and fair census data, which impacts the distribution of funding across numerous federal programs.

$1,490 million

$1,511 million

-$21 million

-1.4%

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA provides critical resources such as weather forecasts, climate data and marine resource management tools to aid counties in disaster preparedness efforts.

$6,117 million

$6,078.3 million

+$38.7 million

+0.6%

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG)

Byrne-JAG provides resources to counties across the country to utilize emerging and evidence-based approaches to address public safety challenges.

$346.25 million

$346.5 million

-$0.25 million

-0.07%

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program

The COPS program supports local law enforcement agencies to ensure they have the tools, personnel and resources necessary to protect and serve their communities.

$253 million

$257 million

-$4 million

-1.56%

State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)

SCAAP reimburses states and local governments for the cost of incarcerating undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of certain crimes.

$202 million

$234 million

-$32 million

-13.7%

Second Chance Act Grants

Second Chance Act grants provide counties with resources to help individuals successfully reintegrate into the community following their release from jail.

$111 million

$117 million

-$6 million

-5.1%

Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA)

JJDPA is the principal federal program through which the federal government sets standards for the care and custody of juveniles.

$50.5 million

$65 million

-$14.5 million

-22.3%

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP)

JMHCP provides state and local governments with grants for jail diversion programs, mental health courts, and community-based treatment programs.

$35 million

$45 million

-$10 million

-22%

Drug Courts - DOJ

The Drug Courts program provides grants to states and local governments for the development and establishment of drug courts.

$86 million

$89 million

-$3 million

-3.4%

Veterans' Treatment Courts

The Veterans' Treatment Courts program provides grants and technical assistance for veteran treatment court programs.

$32 million

$32 million

$0

0%

Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP)

COAP provides financial and technical assistance to combat the substance abuse epidemic.

$185 million

$189 million

-$4 million

-2.1%

Military Personnel

500 counties serve as home to at least one military installation. Military Personnel funding includes military pay, suicide prevention and sexual assault response programs, the basic allowance for housing, basic needs allowance and other provisions impacting quality of life.

$180.4 billion

$182.4 billion

-$2 billion

-1.1%

Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration

The REPI Program supports cost-sharing agreements to preserve military operations by avoiding land use conflicts near military installations.

$110 million

$100 million

+$10 million

+10%

Defense Community Infrastructure Program

The DCIP awards funds to state and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of a military installation.

$113 million

$90 million

+$23 million

+25.6%

Weatherization Assistance Program

Counties support the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low-income households make weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs.

$329 million

$372 million

-$43 million

-11.6%

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Funding

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office provides technical and financial assistance to counties to support renewable energy projects.

$3.1 billion

$3.46 billion

-$360 million

-10.4%

Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF)

Counties support the full expenditure of harbor maintenance trust fund collections on dredging and harbor maintenance.

$3.47 billion

$2.77 billion

+$702 million

+25.3%

Project Construction

Counties support federal investment in water infrastructure projects at the local level.

$3.17 billion

$1.84 billion

+$1.33 billion

+72.3%

Operation & Maintenance

Counties support federal investment in water infrastructure projects at the local level.

$6.01 billion

$5.55 billion

+$456 million

+8.2%

HAVA Election Security Grants

Election security grants authorized by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 provide funding to states to meet their most pressing election infrastructure security priorities. Counties support consistent federal investments in election administration.

$45 million

$15 million

+$30 million

+200%

U.S. Forest Service Wildland Fire Management

County officials believe federal, state and local governments must work together to combat the wildfire threat to communities, livelihoods and the environment.

$2.4 billion

$2.4 billion

$0

0%

U.S. Forest Service Hazardous Fuels Treatment

This effort must include accelerated harvest and fuels reduction, post-fire recovery and restoration efforts, addressing regulatory burdens, and appropriating sufficient funds to effectively combat wildfire on public lands.

$176.85 million

$175.45 million

+$1.4 million

+0.8%

U.S. Forest Service Capital Maintenance and Improvement

Counties support increased funding for overdue capital and deferred maintenance projects in national parks, national forests, and other public lands.

$153.25 million

$156.13 million

-$2.88 million

-1.8%

Refuge Revenue Sharing Act (RRS) Payments

NACo supports additional payments to local governments based on revenue generated from natural resource use and extraction within counties' jurisdiction.

$13.2 million

$13.2 million

$0

0%

DOI Wildland Fire Management

County officials believe federal, state and local governments must work together to combat the wildfire threat through accelerated harvest and fuels reduction, post-fire recovery and appropriating sufficient funds.

$1.15 billion

$1.46 billion

-$331 million

-22.7%

DOI Fuels Management

Line item within Wildland Fire Management title supporting fuels reduction and wildfire prevention efforts.

$214.45 million

$214.45 million

$0

0%

Recovery and Delisting of Threatened and Endangered Species

Counties believe the federal government should coordinate with state and local governments to decide jointly when and how to list species, designate critical habitat and plan for species recovery.

$110.01 million

$113.89 million

-$3.88 million

-3.4%

Wild Horse and Burro Program

Counties urge support for federal land agencies in the management of wild horse and burro populations to achieve appropriate management levels.

$144 million

$141.97 million

+$2.03 million

+1.4%

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land Acquisition

Acquisition or disposal of new land should be subject to coordination with the county in which the land is located, and consistent with local land use or natural resource plans.

$67.3 million

$21.9 million

+$45.4 million

+207%

BLM Maintenance

Counties support increased funding for overdue capital and deferred maintenance projects in national parks, national forests, and other public lands.

$48.56 million

$55 million

-$6.44 million

-11.7%

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Construction

Counties support increased funding for overdue capital and deferred maintenance projects including roads, bridges, trails, campgrounds, and visitor centers.

$14.71 million

$19.3 million

-$4.59 million

-23.8%

National Park Service (NPS) Construction

For FY 2026, the NPS construction account is $88.46 million, a reduction from the FY 2025 enacted level of $172.23 million.

$88.46 million

$172.23 million

-$83.77 million

-48.6%

Brownfields Grant Program

Counties support the EPA Brownfields Program, which provides funding to assess, cleanup and redevelop brownfield sites across the country.

$46.25 million

$46.25 million

$0

0%

Clean Water State Revolving Fund

The CWSRF provides capitalization grants to states who then provide communities with low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects.

$1.64 billion

$1.64 billion

$0

0%

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

The DWSRF provides capitalization grants to states who then provide communities with low-cost financing to support water systems.

$1.13 billion

$1.13 billion

$0

0%

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)

WIFIA provides low-cost, flexible loans to counties and other eligible entities for water infrastructure projects.

$72.27 million

$72.27 million

$0

0%

Diesel Emission Reduction Grants

The DERA Program provides funding to counties to address diesel emissions in their communities.

$90 million

$90 million

$0

0%

National Estuary Program (NEP)

The NEP aims to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of 28 estuaries across the country.

$40 million

$40 million

$0

0%

Hazardous Substance Superfund

The Superfund Program provides for the assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste at contaminated and abandoned industrial sites.

$282.75 million

$537.7 million

-$254.95 million

-47.4%

Targeted Airshed Grants

Targeted Airshed Grants provide funding to reduce air pollution in nonattainment areas with the highest level of ozone and PM2.5 ambient air concentrations.

$67.8 million

$67.8 million

$0

0%

Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund

Counties support full funding for the LUST Program, which should only be used for remediating and preventing further contamination caused from underground storage tanks.

$88.9 million

$89.21 million

-$0.31 million

-0.3%

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Programs

WIOA provides federal funding to states and counties for workforce development and job training programs for jobseekers and employers. WIOA Title I establishes funding for Adult, Dislocated Workers and Youth programs.

$2.92 billion

$2.93 billion

-$10 million

-0.3%

WIOA Dislocated Worker Program

Provides training, job search aid and other assistance for workers that are about to be laid off or have been laid off.

$1.09 billion

$1.09 billion

$0

0%

WIOA Adult Program

Provides individualized career training services to jobseekers above the age of 18, with priority given to low-income individuals receiving public assistance.

$875.65 million

$885.65 million

-$10 million

-1.1%

WIOA Youth Formula Program

Provides training and education to individuals between the ages of 14 and 24, focusing primarily on youth who are out of school and face barriers to employment.

$948.130 million

$948.130 million

$0

0%

Apprenticeships

Counties play an important role in providing access to apprenticeships and efforts to expand employment opportunities.

$285 million

$285 million

$0

0%

Veterans Employment and Training

Counties support continued funding for veterans' vocational rehabilitation and apprenticeship opportunities.

$335.3 million

$335.3 million

$0

0%

YouthBuild

The YouthBuild program provides effective pathways to education, workforce training, community service and leadership training for low-income young adults.

$105 million

$105 million

$0

0%

Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)

CCDBG is the discretionary portion of the Child Care and Development Fund, providing benefits to low-income families to help them access affordable, high quality child care. County-administered in 8 states.

$8.8 billion

$8.7 billion

+$85 million

+1%

Head Start & Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start promote school readiness for infants and children up to five years of age from low-income families. County governments play an important role in operation of these programs.

$12.4 billion

$12.3 billion

+$185 million

+1.5%

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP delivers short-term benefits to low-income households to afford home heating, cooling and weatherization costs. County governments fully or partially administer LIHEAP in 13 states.

$4.05 billion

$4.03 billion

+$20 million

+0.5%

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

CSBG funds a network of 1,000 local public and private agencies to perform a range of eligible anti-poverty activities. CSBG agencies operate in 99 percent of the nation's counties.

$810.4 million

$804.38 million

+$6.02 million

+0.7%

Administration for Community Living

ACL administers programs that help older adults and disabled individuals live independently. The largest program within ACL is the Older Americans Act. County governments are key recipients of OAA dollars.

$2.45 billion

$2.55 billion

-$100 million

-3.9%

Social Services Block Grant

SSBG provides funding to states to support social services for vulnerable children, adults and families. Counties administer the program in 9 states.

$1.70 billion

$1.70 billion

$0

0%

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Block Grant

County behavioral health authorities rely on SUBG funding for the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.

$2.13 billion

$2.134 billion

$0

0%

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Approximately 750 county behavioral health authorities receive block grant funding from SAMHSA to plan and operate community-based services for people with mental illness and substance use conditions.

$7.17 billion

$7.02 billion

+$150 million

+2.13%

Rural Communities Opioid Response

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program provides direct funding to select counties to reduce the morbidity and mortality of SUD/OUD in high-risk rural communities.

$145 million

$135 million

+$10 million

+7.4%

Opioid State Response Grants

Opioid State Response Grants are formula funds awarded to states to support the expansion of addiction treatment and recovery activities.

$1.6 billion

$1.575 billion

+$25 million

+1.6%

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

NHSC is administered by HRSA and provides financial and other support to primary care providers in exchange for their service in underserved communities.

$510 million

$510 million

$0

0%

Maternal and Child Health Block Grant

The MCH Block Grant program provides federal funding to states to support access to quality maternal and child health services.

$1.01 billion

$1.01 billion

$0

0%

Health Resources and Services Administration

Discretionary funding under HRSA makes federal investments in the sustainability of rural healthcare providers and ensures coal miners and their families receive health benefits.

$8.3 billion

$8.22 billion

+$82 million

+1%

Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative

The Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative currently provides funding and resources direct to 48 counties to reduce new HIV infections by 75 percent by 2025 and by 90 percent over the next 10 years.

$1.03 billion

$1.03 billion

$0

0%

Mental Health Block Grant

Counties utilize the Mental Health Block Grant to provide a range of services for adults and children with serious mental illnesses through 750 behavioral health authorities.

$1.01 billion

$1.01 billion

$0

0%

Community Health Centers Fund

The community health centers fund supports local health centers, many of which are county owned and operated, delivering comprehensive health care services in areas with limited access.

$5.4 billion

$5.4 billion

$0

0%

Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) Program

Helps counties and other local entities provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals.

$534.6 million

$385 million

+$149.6 million

+38.8%

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Discretionary funding from the CDC assists counties in making large annual investments in community health systems to prepare and respond to existing and emerging public health crises.

$9.85 billion

$9.63 billion

+$221 million

+2.3%

CDC & DOJ Community Based Violence Intervention Initiative

This initiative supports implementation of community violence interventions at the county level and invests in data collection and research.

$100 million

$100 million

$0

0%

Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) Grants to States

County governments fully or partially fund school districts in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alaska. Counties support the goal of free public education available to all children with disabilities and urge full federal funding for IDEA.

$15.49 billion

$15.17 billion

+$320 million

+2.1%

Title I Grants to Local Education Agencies

Counties urge the federal government to fully meet its commitment to fund Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which provides federal resources to high-poverty school districts.

$13.2 billion

$18.4 billion

-$5.2 billion

-28.3%

Pell Grant Maximum Award (Discretionary Portion)

Pell provides need-based grants to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree.

$6,335

$6,335

$0

0%

Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

Counties support the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program, which they can use to revitalize distressed public and HUD-assisted housing units in their communities.

$25 million

$75 million

-$50 million

-66.7%

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Counties strongly support the CDBG program, which provides increased opportunities for elected county officials to plan, implement and evaluate local community development and housing assistance programs.

$3.3 billion

$3.3 billion

$0

0%

HOME Investment Partnership

The HOME Investment Partnerships program builds upon the significant capacity and experience of county and other local and state governments to design and implement affordable housing programs.

$1.25 billion

$1.25 billion

$0

0%

Homeless Assistance Grants

Counties support full funding of federal homeless assistance programs.

$4.3 billion

$4.05 billion

+$250 million

+6.2%

Section 8 Housing Vouchers Housing Choice Vouchers

Counties support the expansion of the Section 8 voucher program in addition to full funding for existing Section 8 project-based and tenant-based contracts.

$34.96 billion

$32.39 billion

+$2.57 billion

+7.9%

Project-Based Rental Assistance

Counties support expanding the limit for project-based vouchers from 20 to 35 percent of a locality's allocation.

$18.1 billion

$16.01 billion

+$2.1 billion

+13.1%

HUD-VASH

Counties strongly recommend the continued appropriation of resources through HUD-VASH.

$15 million

$15 million

$0

0%

Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP)

Counties support full funding of ATIIP and encourage Congress to develop and fund additional programs specifically focused on development of trail networks at the county and regional level.

$0

$0

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Airport Improvement Program (discretionary)

The Airport Improvement Program supports public-use airports across the country, including many airports owned or operated by counties.

$35 million

$49.75 million

-$14.75 million

-29.65%

Amtrak

Counties believe Congress should continue to provide subsidies to Amtrak at a level consistent with maintaining a reasonable level of service and necessary capital improvements.

$2.427 billion

$2.427763 billion

-$763,000

-0.03%

Bus and Bus Facilities Program

This program makes funding available to local public agencies to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities.

$490.358916 million

$478.202088 million

+$12.156828 million

+2.54%

Capital Investment Grants (CIG)

Counties are directly eligible for CIG grants that ensure the 78 percent of public transit systems directly supported by counties can carry out vital capital projects.

$1.7 billion

$2.205 billion

-$505 million

-22.9%

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grants

Counties are eligible for CRISI grants, which fund capital projects to improve rail infrastructure and safety.

$50 million

$100 million

-$50 million

-50%

Essential Air Service (EAS) Program (discretionary)

Small and isolated communities rely on EAS to ensure access to air service. Counties believe the federal government should continue subsidies for assisting airlines serving small communities.

$513.637231 million

$450 million

+$63.637231 million

+14.14%

Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail

Counties are eligible to apply for Fed-State Program grants, formerly known as State of Good Repair Grants, which fund capital projects that replace and rehabilitate rolling stock, track infrastructure, communication and security systems.

$65 million

$75 million

-$10 million

-13.33%

Passenger Ferry Grants

The geography of some counties makes ferry service essential for daily commutes and access to critical community services and institutions.

$25 million

$20 million

+$5 million

+25%

Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP)

Counties support continued, sufficient, and guaranteed funding of SCASDP to meet the needs of small and rural communities to retain, expand, and/or attract air service.

$15 million

$10 million

+$5 million

+50%

Low or No Emission Bus Grants

Local public agencies are eligible for funding under the Low-No Program, which is designed to support the transition of the nation's transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles.

$78.457427 million

$76.512334 million

+$1.945092 million

+2.54%

Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)

Annually, counties invest over $550 million in the operation, maintenance and support of sea and inland port facilities. The PIDP assists counties with coastal and inland ports to improve port facilities.

$38.628 million

$50 million

-$11.372 million

-22.74%

PROTECT Program: At-Risk Coastal Grants

The PROTECT program provides competitive grants that counties can apply for to carry out projects that enhance resilience, improve evacuation routes and ensure continuity of operations and/or rapid recovery where a natural disaster has occurred.

$30 million

$30 million

$0

0%

PROTECT Program: Resilience Grants

The PROTECT program provides competitive grants to enhance resilience, improve evacuation routes and ensure continuity of operations.

$210 million

$210 million

$0

0%

Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants

Counties own and maintain 44 percent of America's public roads miles and 38 percent of the National Bridge Inventory. Counties rely on programs like BUILD that directly invest in worthy infrastructure projects.

$145 million

$345 million

-$200 million

-58%

Thriving Communities Program

The Thriving Communities Program allows USDOT to enter into cooperative agreements with counties to provide technical assistance, planning and capacity building for projects designed to foster thriving communities through transportation improvements.

$0

$0

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