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

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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.

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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.

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Policy Briefs

Explore the updated legislative policy briefs for NACo's ten policy steering committees.

County Countdown

August 12, 2024

Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.

Explore the Full Countdown | View All

Featured This Week

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2025 Appropriations Tracker

The NACo 2025 Appropriations Tracker provides counties with a comprehensive overview of the federal appropriations process, tracking the progress of key spending bills and offering insights on how these will impact county funding and services.

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American Rescue Plan Resource Hub

In this resource hub, find stories of counties investing these resource to support our residents, technical assistance in implementing these programs in your county and our latest analysis and research.

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Advocacy

White House names county finalist for new Recompete Pilot Program funding

On August 5, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced $184 million for six Recompete Pilot Program finalists. The Recompete Program, enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, was created to provide renewed opportunity in economically distressed communities through good-paying, high-quality jobs and improve access to the workforce for Americans. 

Advocacy Resources

Detailed analysis and customizable tools to support outreach on federal policy issues.

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2025 Appropriations Tracker

The NACo 2025 Appropriations Tracker provides counties with a comprehensive overview of the federal appropriations process, tracking the progress of key spending bills and offering insights on how these will impact county funding and services.

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Outreach Toolkit for Counties: The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program

The NACo Outreach Toolkit aids counties in promoting the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program by providing resources to increase awareness and maintain broadband access beyond the program's funding.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Maximize Federal Investments

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.

View the Matrix

Latest Policy Analysis

Counties are Key Intergovernmental Partners

Counties play an integral role in our nationsl intergovernmental system. Below, find resources to share with our federal partners and your members of Congress that highlight how we impact nearly every American every day.

See Counties 101 For More

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The County Human Services and Education Landscape

This resource provides a breakdown of the county, state and federal partnership key human services and education programs.

Policy Steering Committees

Caucuses

Ad Hoc & Task Force Committees

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Program

Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee

The AI Exploratory Committee covers 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. 

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Program

NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing

Counties increasingly handle direct mental health services, acting as the safety net for vulnerable residents and operating crisis lines, hospitals and detention centers. NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing unites county leaders to address the mental health crisis through four key policy priorities.

Legislative Analysis

Open field

Legislative Analysis for Counties: 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.

Accessibility

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2025 Appropriations Tracker

The NACo 2025 Appropriations Tracker provides counties with a comprehensive overview of the federal appropriations process, tracking the progress of key spending bills and offering insights on how these will impact county funding and services.