NACo Policy Insider – June 22, 2026

[NACo]

Your weekly briefing on federal policies affecting America’s counties
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June 22, 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

Action Needed — OMB proposes sweeping rewrite of federal grant rules; comment deadline July 13 On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a proposed rule rewriting the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR Part 200 — the regulation governing every federal grant, cooperative agreement and pass-through award to state and local governments. The proposed rule is the most significant overhaul of federal grants administration since 2013, introducing new policy requirements, modified termination frameworks and revised cost principles and audit requirements. Federal grants to state and local governments total around $1.1 trillion, making this rulemaking consequential for counties of every size. NACo has urged OMB to extend the comment deadline and has published resources to help counties engage. Watch NACo's on-demand webinar.

Housing — Congress nears final passage on major housing reform bill On June 16, the Senate introduced final bicameral language to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644), agreed to by both House and Senate leadership following nearly a year of negotiation. The bill delivers key county wins — including a three-year CDBG-Disaster Recovery authorization, meaningful Build Now Act exemptions with a three-year glide path and a higher bank public welfare investment cap to unlock private affordable housing financing. The Senate is expected to pass the bill imminently, with the House to follow, and NACo urges county leaders to contact their members of Congress in support. Read NACo's policy update.

Public Lands — NACo hosts PILT/SRS fly-in this week NACo is convening county leaders from across the country this week for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) fly-in, conducting meetings with House and Senate offices to advocate for robust FY 2027 funding. County officials are urging Congress to fully fund PILT at authorized levels and reauthorize SRS ahead of the program's expiration. PILT and SRS are essential revenue sources for counties with significant federal land holdings, supporting schools, roads, emergency services and other core county functions. View NACo’s PILT Resource Hub | View NACo’s SRS Resource Hub.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs — USDA Rural Development announces workforce reorganization On June 17, USDA Rural Development announced plans to reorganize its more than 3,000-person workforce across over 400 offices, following USDA's broader July 2025 reorganization initiative. The agency plans to consolidate operations into two regional hubs in St. Louis County, Mo. and the Dallas–Fort Worth region. NACo will monitor implementation and assess potential impacts on county access to USDA Rural Development programs and services. Read NACo's policy update.

Transportation — BUILD America 250 Act; NACo urges Senate to act The BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) is advancing toward a full House floor vote ahead of the September 30, 2026 surface transportation reauthorization deadline, while the Senate has yet to release its reauthorization text. NACo is urging the Senate to adopt the same county-backed framework — including the $9 billion Bridge Formula Program with a 25-percent set-aside for locally owned bridges — and continues to oppose the heavier truck pilot program added during House markup. View NACo’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization Resource Hub.

NACo in Action

NACo urges final passage of 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act NACo is actively engaging House and Senate members ahead of final votes on the bicameral housing package, urging support for the county wins secured in the final bill — including CDBG-DR authorization, Build Now Act exemptions and expanded HOME program flexibility. Read NACo's letter of support for the housing reform package.

NACo sends letter to OMB urging Uniform Guidance comment deadline extension NACo sent a letter to OMB urging an extension of the July 13, 2026 comment deadline on the proposed rewrite of 2 CFR Part 200, citing the need for additional time for counties to fully assess the operational, financial and compliance implications of the most significant overhaul of federal grant administration standards in years. Read NACo’s letter.

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

Housing — Urge your members of Congress to support final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act With the Senate expected to vote imminently and the House to follow, counties have a narrow window to weigh in. The final bill protects CDBG funding stability, authorizes CDBG-DR for faster disaster recovery and unlocks new affordable housing financing tools. County Action: Contact your U.S. senators and House representative now to urge support for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) ahead of final passage.

Transportation — Urge House members to support BUILD America 250 Act; urge senators to release their text Counties should continue engaging both chambers as surface transportation reauthorization approaches its September 30 deadline. County Action: Contact your U.S. House representative to urge support for the BUILD America 250 Act and removal of the heavier truck pilot program. Contact your U.S. senators to urge adoption of the same county-backed framework as they develop their reauthorization text.

What's Next Housing: Final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) is expected in the coming weeks. NACo will monitor Senate and House floor votes and provide a full implementation update once the bill is signed into law. Transportation reauthorization: The BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870) awaits a full House floor vote. NACo continues pressing for county priorities ahead of the September 30, 2026 deadline and urging the Senate to release and advance its own text. Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200): The OMB comment deadline is July 13, 2026 — NACo has urged an extension. Counties should review the proposed changes and submit comments regardless. NACo guidance is available at naco.org.

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.

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