NACo Policy Insider – April 27, 2026

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Your weekly briefing on federal policies affecting America’s counties
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April 27, 2026 View in a browser

Welcome to this week's NACo Policy Insider – your weekly update on federal policies, funding decisions and legislative activity impacting counties nationwide. Seven minute total estimated read time – jump to section: Topline of the week NACo in action County impact & action needed What's next

Topline of the Week Major federal developments affecting counties

Budget & Appropriations: Senate unveils budget blueprint for Reconciliation 2.0 On April 21, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a reconciliation package that would fully fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection for the next three years. The proposal directs key Senate committees to submit legislative text by May 15, with spending ceilings of up to $70 billion each. Read NACo's policy update.

Technology: House passes FirstNet reauthorization; Senate action awaited On April 20, the full House passed the First Responder Network Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R. 7386) by voice vote, with no opposition during floor debate. The bill reauthorizes the FirstNet Authority for 10 years through September 30, 2037 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. The Senate must act before the Authority's authorization lapses in February 2027. NACo supports reauthorization and will continue monitoring developments. Read NACo's policy update.

Telecommunications: House pulls broadband permitting preemption bills from floor Following NACo's sustained advocacy, House leadership pulled the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289) – a local broadband permitting preemption bill – from floor consideration. The bill would have restricted local land use and zoning authority over telecommunications infrastructure deployment and limited counties' ability to negotiate cable franchise agreements. NACo strongly opposed the legislation and will remain vigilant as it may resurface in a broader package. Read NACo's policy brief.

Workforce: House committee advances WIOA reauthorization with county concerns On April 6, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) introduced the A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA) of 2026 (H.R. 8210) to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill would allow governors to set aside an additional 10 percent of WIOA Title I formula funding for state use and includes prescriptive federal mandates on youth programming that would limit local flexibility. Markup is expected in the coming weeks. NACo is actively engaging to protect county priorities. Read NACo's policy update.

Disaster Reform: NACo hosts fly-in with county leaders from 13 states This week, NACo and nearly 20 county leaders from 13 states are convening in Washington, D.C. on April 28–29 for a leadership fly-in focused on disaster reform. Participants are members of NACo's Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force, bringing county voices directly to Capitol Hill at a critical moment for federal emergency management policy.

Join the Webinar Series The NACo Policy Insider bi-weekly webinar series provides an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties, as well as deeper dives into specific policy areas, equipping county leaders with insights, context and strategies to engage effectively on key issues from transportation and infrastructure, to public lands, to disasters, to health and human services and more. Find upcoming sessions below, and click here for the full schedule.

May 7 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET Register

May 21 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET Register

June 4 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET Register

NACo in Action

Custer County, Mont. Commissioner Jason Strouf describes the complexity involved in fixing damage to an existing culvert. He spoke with other county officials at an April 20 Capitol Hill briefing. NACo hosts permitting reform briefing On April 20, NACo hosted a member briefing on federal permitting reform, including the status of the CERTAIN Act and ongoing advocacy to secure county cooperating agency rights across federal agencies. Read the County News recap.

NACo submits comments on 2030 Census address program On April 20, NACo submitted formal comments to the U.S. Census Bureau on the proposed reinstatement of the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation for the 2030 Census. NACo urged the Bureau to recognize counties' unique role, provide meaningful federal support for under-resourced governments and begin engaging local governments well before the formal program start in May 2027. Read NACo's policy update.

County Impact & Action Needed Take action now on key county priorities

BASICS Act – act now before markup Surface transportation reauthorization markup is imminent, and the window to influence the final package is closing fast. The Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act (H.R. 7437) would guarantee direct, formula-based federal funding for county-owned roads and bridges — but it must be included in the final bill before the current Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorization expires September 30, 2026. County Action: Use NACo's template letter to contact your U.S. Representative now and urge inclusion of the bipartisan BASICS Act (H.R. 7437) in the surface transportation reauthorization package.

Mental Health Awareness Month – counties lead, Congress must act May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and America's county governments are frontline providers of mental health programs and services, investing over $130 billion annually in community health systems. From operating crisis lines and focusing on early intervention to providing care through county-owned hospitals and behavioral health authorities, counties are committed to supporting the long-term well-being of residents. County Action: NACo invites you to participate in Mental Health Awareness Month and to join NACo in urging Congress to pass the Michelle Alyssa Go Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to modernize the IMD exclusion and expand access to care. See our participation toolkit for resources.

What's Next Transportation reauthorization: NACo continues pushing for inclusion of the Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act (H.R. 7437) as surface transportation markup proceeds. The current Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorization expires September 30, 2026. Reconciliation 2.0: NACo will monitor Senate action on the budget resolution and engage on FY 2027 appropriations to protect funding for FEMA, CISA, the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and other county-critical DHS programs. FirstNet reauthorization: NACo will track House floor consideration and Senate action, urging swift passage before the February 2027 authorization deadline. WIOA reauthorization: NACo will continue engaging as markup approaches, pressing for restoration of local funding allocations and removal of one-size-fits-all program mandates. Broadband preemption: NACo will remain vigilant as pulled legislation may return as part of a broader package and will continue opposing any provisions that diminish local permitting authority.

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