NEWS

FEMA’s future is among policy struggles on Capitol Hill, NACo reports

Convincing the Republican Congress and White House to continue the federal role in disaster response is one of just many efforts reaching a critical point in Washington, D.C., said the executive director of the National Association of Counties this week.

Matt Chase of NACo led a briefing on Thursday, June 5 with state associations and the need for county leaders to engage their members of Congress.

The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Act is critical for counties, Chase said, as it enshrines the central role the federal government has long played in response to natural disasters.

However, the Trump administration has created a FEMA Review Council that’s looking into FEMA’s operations and potentially shifting responsibilities to states. It is scheduled to make a final proposal on Nov. 16.

In other disaster response news:

• The BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) program has been canceled, Chase said, but may re-emerge with new criteria.
• A proposed increase to the per capita disaster indicator — to four times its current level — has stalled after the firing of the official who introduced the idea.
• The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released a draft bill that includes positive reforms, such as a proposed shift for public assistance from a reimbursement model to an upfront grant system with a 120-day payout timeline. This could significantly ease cash flow pressures for counties.

In other trending policy areas, NACo reported:

Sanctuary jurisdictions and ICE enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously issued a list naming approximately 400 counties as “sanctuary jurisdictions” under an Executive Order aimed at “Protecting Americans from Criminal Aliens.” Though DHS has removed the list from its public website, it apparently remains in use and is expected to be managed going forward by the Department of Justice (DOJ).  Federal funding eligibility is being threatened for those counties that remain designated as a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Keep in mind there is no legal definition of a “sanctuary jurisdiction” and no understanding as to what criteria were used to make this list.

Counties are advised to:

• Contact DHS at sanctuaryjurisdictions@hq.dhs.gov to request removal from the list.
• Engage congressional delegations for support.
• Develop a proactive media strategy, ideally using sheriffs or law enforcement as public spokespeople.

Fiscal 2026 federal budget

The president’s proposed FY 2026 budget includes significant cuts to nearly every domestic program relevant to county governments, Chase said. NACo will provide further analysis, but counties should begin preparing for constrained federal support across the board.

Medicaid and SNAP

Elements within the “OBBA” legislation that cleared the U.S. House by one vote recently raise major concerns for counties:

• Proposed Medicaid changes will increase the administrative burden at every step of the process for states and counties. Although no changes have been proposed to income eligibility, the documentation and administrative burden on those who qualify for them will increase. On top of the paperwork requirements, the bill cuts coverage for undocumented immigrants, reduces funding for CHIP and increases co-pays and work requirements.
• Administrative changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could shift the cost burden from a 50/50 federal-state split to a 75 percent state share, alongside more complex eligibility rules. These changes risk overwhelming local systems and discouraging participation.

Infrastructure

• Proposals for the federal highway trust fund include an annual $250 registration fee for electric vehicles and $100 for hybrids. This may be dropped due to procedural hurdles.
• A new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Department of Commerce aims to streamline broadband rollout, possibly enabling projects to break ground within the year under the BEAD broadband program.
• The status of tax-exempt municipal bonds is maintained in the “OBBA” legislation.

For more information about MAC’s advocacy work, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.