By @Kyle Packham
Federal Legislation Would Open Funding Opportunities for Special Districts Providing Essential Services to Nearly All of California’s 39 Million Residents
Yesterday, in a major victory for special districts and the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC), the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Special District Grant Accessibility Act (H.R. 7525), legislation that would codify a first-ever definition of “special district” in federal law. Additionally, the bill would direct the White House Office of Management and Budget to require federal agencies to ensure that special districts are eligible for all appropriate forms of federal assistance.
The bipartisan legislation, which cleared the House on an overwhelming 352-27 vote, is authored by Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and was cosponsored by 14 Members of the California Congressional Delegation from both sides of the aisle. Action now turns to the Senate, where NSDC is working with key Members in an effort to advance a companion measure.
Over 250 special districts and other organizations sent letters or signed CSDA’s April 9 Coalition letter to California’s Congressional Delegation in support of H.R. 7525. Special districts and other organizations not listed on the April 9 letter are encouraged to sign-on using this online form to be added to an updated letter CSDA will soon send to California’s United States Senators.
The Special District Grant Accessibility Act is the top priority of NSDC, of which CSDA is a founding member. Last week, CSDA Chief Executive Officer Neil McCormick and Chief Advocacy and External Affairs Officer Kyle Packham traveled to Washington D.C. together with special district representatives from eight other states. The contingent met with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and over 20 legislative offices including the offices of California’s Senator Alex Padilla and Senator Laphonza Butler.
While in Washington, CSDA was honored to join the coalition in meeting with the sponsor and original cosponsor of the Special District Grant Accessibility Act. Representatives Fallon and Pettersen both spoke on the House Floor in support of H.R. 7525:
Following passage of the legislation, the sponsor and original co-sponsor released the following quotes respectively in a nationwide press release:
“The consequence of current law is some communities served by special districts cannot access certain federal funding opportunities, which has a huge impact on the ability of special districts to provide vital services and meet community needs,” Congressman Fallon said. “H.R. 7525 re-sets the board and ensures special districts have the resources, autonomy, and flexibility to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing their communities.”
“There are 3,500 special districts in Colorado alone, which are responsible for critical services for our communities ranging from drinking water and wastewater management, to health care, transit, and natural resource conservation,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “Unfortunately, special districts have not had a specific definition under federal law, meaning Coloradans in these areas are missing out on federal funding opportunities that help other communities with reliable ambulance service, wildfire protections and firefighters, pandemic response services, and more. I’m proud to work on this bipartisan bill with Congressman Fallon to help us better adapt to the complexity of local governments and ensure Coloradans and people across the country have access to the support they need.”
H.R. 7525 would require the White House Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance to federal agencies requiring special districts to be recognized as local governments for the purpose of federal financial assistance determinations. Specifically, H.R. 7525 would establish the following definition in Federal law (Title 13 of US Code):
“The term ‘special district’ means a political subdivision of a State, with specified boundaries and significant budgetary autonomy or control, created by or pursuant to the laws of the State, for the purpose of performing limited and specific governmental or proprietary functions that distinguish it as a significantly separate entity from the administrative governance structure of any other form of local government unit within a State.”
“Since the formation of California’s first special district in 1887, the now 2,000 independent special districts in our state have confronted some of our nation’s biggest challenges at the local level, be they drought, flood, fire, and more,” said Neil McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of the California Special Districts Association and Immediate Past Chair of NSDC. “Passage of H.R. 7525, the Special District Grant Accessibility Act, by the United States House of Representatives is a historic moment in recognizing the value of special districts to the communities they serve and improving intergovernmental partnership as we confront the many challenges ahead.”
“We’re extremely grateful to Representatives Fallon and Pettersen for their strong leadership on behalf of special districts and for marshaling this historic bill through the House,” said Ann Terry, Chair of the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC). “We hope today’s overwhelming vote in the House sets the stage for timely action in the Senate and will carry H.R. 7525 through to the President’s desk, where it will be signed into law.”
According to NSDC, there are more than 35,000 special districts in the U.S. providing a range of infrastructure and essential community programs across the country including parks, water, sanitation, fire protection, ports, cemeteries, healthcare, electricity, pest control, and libraries.
For more information on H.R. 7525, visit Special District Grant Accessibility Act - California Special Districts Association (csda.net).
#AdvocacyNews
#FeatureNews
#Governance
#Revenue