HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) vs. HEALS Act: Proposals for State and Local Aid

-
Reports & ToolkitsProposals for State and Local Aid Print Chart HEALS Act AnalysisHEROES Act (H.R. 6800) vs. HEALS Act: Proposals for State and Local Aid
-
Document
HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) vs. HEALS Act: Proposals for State and Local Aid
Proposals for State and Local Aid
- Print Chart
- HEALS Act Analysis
- HEROES Act Analysis
- COVID-19 Federal Advocacy Resources
Key Issue House HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) Senate HEALS Act (Package of Individual Bills) Direct funding for states $500 billion to assist state governments with the fiscal impacts from the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus
No new funding provided for state governments
Direct funding to counties of all sizes $187.5 billion total for county governments, including $125 billion within 30 days of the bill’s enactment and an additional $62.5 billion one year following the bill’s enactment. Aid would flow directly from U.S. Treasury to each county, based primarily on county population
No new funding for county governments
Lost revenue looking forward and retroactive under CARES Act Adds “lost revenue” as an eligible funding activity for existing $150 billion for state and local aid provided under the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund and any new federal fiscal aid
Expands allowable uses of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund payments for a limited amount for “lost revenue” incurred during March 1, 2020 to 90 days after the last day of the governments’ 2021 fiscal year…
Under Section 401, a direct recipient (I.e. State, Tribal government, Territory, County and/or City above 500,000 population) could use up to 25 percent of their CRF allocation for “lost revenue”, ONLY after the government certifies that it has distributed at least 25 percent of CRF funds it received to downstream governments (I.e. for counties this would mean other local governments within the county)
Based on preliminary NACo estimates, those counties above 500,000 population who were direct recipients would be forced to redistribution more than $4.7 billion of CRF dollars to other local governments in order to use their CRF allocation to recover a portion of their “lost revenue” during the COVID-19 pandemic
Guardrails around eligible use of funding State and local officials would be allowed to use the funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic broadly based on local economic, health, safety and workforce needs
Prohibits use of CRF funds for pensions or postemployment benefits, for both current and former employees
Prohibits use of CRF funds for replenishing “rainy day” accounts
Recipients of CRF funds shall not impose additional conditions, requirements, or restrictions on downstream governments on how relief funds may be used beyond those specified in the CARES Act and modifications made under the HEALS package
Important dates for use of funds Maintains CARES Act deadlines for use of existing CRF funds at December 30, 2020
New round of funds may be used until expended
Extends date for existing CARES Act funds until 90 days after the end of the recipients’ fiscal year 2021
Expands allowable uses of CRF payments to include lost revenue incurred during March 1, 2020 to 90 days after the last day of the recipients’ fiscal year 2021
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) match Would remove the 25 percent local match for FEMA public assistance funds and provide clarity on additional eligible costs and activities
Does not address the FEMA match issue but does provide an additional $930 million for FEMA grant programs
Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements N/A
A recipient of CRF funds shall use funds that it receives to supplement, but not supplant, any non-federal funds that the recipient would otherwise provide, distribute, or use for assistance to other units of government
Determining Audit Risk Factors N/A
Requires Treasury’s IG in its audit determination to consider prioritizing audits of (1) governments that did not distribute at least 25 percent of the total amount of the payments received under this section to localities within the jurisdiction, if any; or (2) governments that imposed a condition, requirement, or restriction on funds distributed to a locality that do not align with either the CARES Act or the provisions in this Act
Proposals for State and Local Aid Print Chart2020-07-30Reports & Toolkits2022-08-31
Proposals for State and Local Aid
Key Issue | House HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) | Senate HEALS Act (Package of Individual Bills) |
---|---|---|
Direct funding for states |
$500 billion to assist state governments with the fiscal impacts from the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus |
No new funding provided for state governments |
Direct funding to counties of all sizes |
$187.5 billion total for county governments, including $125 billion within 30 days of the bill’s enactment and an additional $62.5 billion one year following the bill’s enactment. Aid would flow directly from U.S. Treasury to each county, based primarily on county population |
No new funding for county governments |
Lost revenue looking forward and retroactive under CARES Act |
Adds “lost revenue” as an eligible funding activity for existing $150 billion for state and local aid provided under the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund and any new federal fiscal aid |
Expands allowable uses of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund payments for a limited amount for “lost revenue” incurred during March 1, 2020 to 90 days after the last day of the governments’ 2021 fiscal year… Under Section 401, a direct recipient (I.e. State, Tribal government, Territory, County and/or City above 500,000 population) could use up to 25 percent of their CRF allocation for “lost revenue”, ONLY after the government certifies that it has distributed at least 25 percent of CRF funds it received to downstream governments (I.e. for counties this would mean other local governments within the county) Based on preliminary NACo estimates, those counties above 500,000 population who were direct recipients would be forced to redistribution more than $4.7 billion of CRF dollars to other local governments in order to use their CRF allocation to recover a portion of their “lost revenue” during the COVID-19 pandemic |
Guardrails around eligible use of funding |
State and local officials would be allowed to use the funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic broadly based on local economic, health, safety and workforce needs |
Prohibits use of CRF funds for pensions or postemployment benefits, for both current and former employees Prohibits use of CRF funds for replenishing “rainy day” accounts Recipients of CRF funds shall not impose additional conditions, requirements, or restrictions on downstream governments on how relief funds may be used beyond those specified in the CARES Act and modifications made under the HEALS package |
Important dates for use of funds |
Maintains CARES Act deadlines for use of existing CRF funds at December 30, 2020 New round of funds may be used until expended |
Extends date for existing CARES Act funds until 90 days after the end of the recipients’ fiscal year 2021 Expands allowable uses of CRF payments to include lost revenue incurred during March 1, 2020 to 90 days after the last day of the recipients’ fiscal year 2021 |
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) match |
Would remove the 25 percent local match for FEMA public assistance funds and provide clarity on additional eligible costs and activities |
Does not address the FEMA match issue but does provide an additional $930 million for FEMA grant programs |
Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements |
N/A |
A recipient of CRF funds shall use funds that it receives to supplement, but not supplant, any non-federal funds that the recipient would otherwise provide, distribute, or use for assistance to other units of government |
Determining Audit Risk Factors |
N/A |
Requires Treasury’s IG in its audit determination to consider prioritizing audits of (1) governments that did not distribute at least 25 percent of the total amount of the payments received under this section to localities within the jurisdiction, if any; or (2) governments that imposed a condition, requirement, or restriction on funds distributed to a locality that do not align with either the CARES Act or the provisions in this Act |

About Mark Ritacco (Full Bio)
Chief Government Affairs Officer
Mark Ritacco serves as the chief government affairs officer for the National Association of Counties. Mark leads NACo’s congressional and executive branch outreach, coalition building and advocacy on behalf of NACo’s members and America’s 3,069 counties.More from Mark Ritacco
-
Blog
HHS awards CCBHC planning grants to 15 states to help address ongoing mental health crisis
On March 16, the U.S. -
County News
NACo's new report shows how counties are investing ARPA dollars
In the two years since ARPA's historic passage, counties continue to make transformational investments, spur recovery efforts and bolster the economy through our Recovery Fund allocations. -
County News
Maryland rural health program aims to prevent teen pregnancies, STIs
“True You Maryland” aims to reduce rural Maryland county teen birth rates by 15 percent, STI rates by 10 percent and racial disparities in teen birth and STI rates by 20 percent through educational partnerships with county health departments. -
County News
Working for the county pays off for Colorado retirees
Part-time work options are helping seniors pay property taxes and counties recruit extra help. -
Reports & Toolkits
Mental Health Awareness Month: County Participation Toolkit
This May, we invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to participate in Mental Health Awareness month. -
Webinar
BRECC National Network: Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification
Mar. 23, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording here.
-
Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
April 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmCounties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve community stability and health.04052:00 pm<p>Counties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve communit
-
Webinar
Strategies for Leveraging County Health Rankings Data to Improve Community Health
April 19, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmCounties play a key role in public health at the local level, as the conveners of multi-sector stakeholders, administrators of federal health-funding programs, like Medicaid, and providers of many crucial health services for residents.04192:00 pm<p>Counties play a key role in public health at the local level, as the conveners of multi-sector stakeholders, administrators of federal health-funding programs, like Medicaid, and providers of many crucial health services for residen
-
Basic page
The Stepping Up Initiative
In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APA Foundation launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Reports & Toolkits
COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse
The COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.Reports & Toolkitsdocument03127:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="ad-block no-top-margin no-bullets">
<caption>Jump to Section</caption> -
Basic page
Economic Mobility Leadership Network
The Economic Mobility Leadership Network (EMLN) is a NACo cohort of county leaders that facilitates and incubates county-specific discussion and problem-solving on issues of economic mobility and helps county leaders identify and assess their current barriers to mobility and share scalable and transferable programs across the country.pagepagepage<p>Economic mobility refers to changes in an individual’s economic status over a lifetime and across generations—usually measured in income.
-
Basic page
Live Healthy U.S. Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.pagepagepage<h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>
-
Basic page
ClearGov
ClearGov® is the leading provider of Budget Cycle Management software, focused on helping local governments streamline the annual budgeting process by improving the collection, creation, and communication of their budgets.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
<tbody>
<tr> -
Basic page
Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential, commercial, and industrial development, and building and housing codes. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential,
Contact
-
Chief Government Affairs Officer(202) 942-4286
Related News
-
County NewsNACo's new report shows how counties are investing ARPA dollarsMar. 27, 2023
-
BlogPresident Biden releases FY 2024 budget request that includes county prioritiesMar. 9, 2023
-
BlogU.S. Senate Majority Leader urges U.S. Treasury to specify capacity building for competitive federal funding opportunities as an eligible use of Recovery FundsMar. 7, 2023
Related Resources
-
Reports & ToolkitsMental Health Awareness Month: County Participation ToolkitMar. 24, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsFY 2024 President's Budget RequestMar. 16, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsStrengthening Local Economies through the Recovery Fund: Executive SummaryMar. 15, 2023
Related Events
-
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
19Apr2023Webinar
Strategies for Leveraging County Health Rankings Data to Improve Community Health
Apr. 19, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Upcoming Events
-
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
6Apr2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
Apr. 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
11Apr2023
More From
-
2023 #NACoLeg Monday General Session
Tune in for Monday's General Session at the 2023 NACo Legislative Conference.
Learn More