By: @Kyle Packham
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is scheduled to consider the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act (H.R. 2766) on Wednesday, March 18. The bipartisan legislation, led by Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), would establish the first formal definition of “special district” in federal law.
The bill, which is the National Special Districts Association’s (NSDA) top federal legislative priority, would also direct the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies clarifying that special districts should be recognized as local governments for purposes of ensuring that districts have access to all appropriate forms of federal financial assistance.
Pursuant to H.R. 2766, federal agencies would have one year to implement OMB’s guidance and to conform any agency policy, principle, practice, procedure, or guideline relating to the administration of federal financial assistance programs. Implementation of the bill’s requirements would result in special districts being formally recognized as units of local government across the federal bureaucracy, thus ensuring that special districts are adequately included in federal-state-local planning processes and have access to all relevant funding streams and grant programs.
It should be noted that H.R. 2766 is identical to legislation that was overwhelmingly approved by the full House of Representatives in 2024, H.R. 7525, with the exception of the title.
CSDA members with Congressional Representatives serving on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are encouraged to contact their representative and request their “Yea” vote on H.R. 2766 at the March 18 hearing. These California Congressional Representatives include:
If you need help identifying your Congressional Representative, you can use Find Your Representative | house.gov. If you would like support coordinating your efforts or communicating with your Representative, reach out to your CSDA Public Affairs Field Coordinator: Meet Your Local CSDA Contact - California Special Districts Association.
Notably, 11 California Congressional Representatives are formally Cosponsoring H.R. 2766:
- Rep. Ken Calvert
- Rep. Julia Brownley
- Rep. Vince Fong
- Rep. John Garamendi
- Rep. Josh Harder
- Rep. Young Kim
- Rep. Doug LaMalfa (deceased)
- Rep. Jay Obernolte
- Rep. Raul Ruiz
- Rep. David Valadao
- Rep. George Whitesides
Attend the March12 NSDA Federal Advocacy Webinar to learn more and ask questions about H.R. 2766.
All CSDA members are automatically members of NSDA with full access to NSDA resources and services. Join the March 12 NSDA Federal Advocacy Webinar for a timely briefing on what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and why it matters to special districts. Participants will receive key advocacy updates from NSDA’s legislative advocates, including the latest on federal policy developments and legislative priorities.
Register Now for March 12 NSDA Federal Advocacy Webinar
Registration is free to CSDA members using NSDA Access Code: CSDA 8068
Ensure your special district and its stakeholders formally sign-on in support of the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act.
Special districts and other organizations that work with, benefit from, and partner with special districts are encouraged to formally join the coalition in support of the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act here: Support our efforts to pass H.R.2766/S.2014 - National Special Districts Association
Find all of the resources you need to effectively support the Special District Fairness and Accessibility act.
NSDA is actively soliciting new cosponsors. Contact your Congressional Representative to invite them to an event or stop by their district office to provide an update. Use the resources found here: Spring Push - Call to Action! - National Special Districts Association
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