Blogs

Advancing Top Priority, NSDC Formally Proposes Federal Definition of ‘Special District’

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 18 days ago
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) announced Wednesday its proposed federal definition of “special district,” marking a pivotal step in the organization’s top federal policy priority. Despite approximately 35,000 special districts providing essential local government services to millions of Americans, there is no single definition for “special district.” The absence has led to inconsistencies in how special districts are referenced as eligible for federal programs and additional hardship to access federally-sourced assistance for infrastructure projects and community programs. The NSDC Executive Committee unanimously approved ...
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Advocacy Alert: NSDC Invites Special Districts to Join in Support of Bill to Ensure Use of Fire Retardant against Wildfire

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 04-26-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) supports H.R. 1586 (LaMalfa) and S. 796 (Lummis), the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023 to formalize an exemption to the Clean Water Act to ensure firefighting agencies can continue to use fire retardant to fight wildfire.  NSDC Advocacy Alert: Join Coalition of Support for H.R. 1586 & S. 796   NSDC invites all fire protection district, other special districts providing essential services in high fire-risk, wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities to sign-on to a coalition letter of support to House and Senate Leadership as well as members of committees to which ...
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Special Districts Urge Congress against Rescinding Unobligated State, Local COVID Relief Funds

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 04-26-2023
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As federal lawmakers make moves to address the nation’s debt limit, unobligated COVID funds are on the table for potential rollback. The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) sent on Wednesday a letter to Congressional leadership urging against rescinding unobligated funds, as many special districts have yet to access the resources. Read NSDC’s letter to House and Senate Leaders House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., brought forward last week House Republicans’ proposal to raise the debt limit, which includes a title broadly outlining the revocation of funds. NSDC is specifically concerned about the provision to permanently rescind “unobligated ...
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Special District Leaders Meet Congress, Advocate on National Priorities

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 04-21-2023
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The nation’s special district stakeholders descended on Washington this week for the 2023 National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) “Special Districts on the Hill” to press for support on top Coalition priorities. Leaders and stakeholders from across Coalition states met with 36 offices of the U.S. House and Senate to promote awareness of special districts as part of the country’s local government landscape. In doing so, the group of 12 advocated for the establishment of a “special district” definition in federal law and broader inclusion in federally-funded local government programs. NSDC also focused on ongoing efforts to address community gaps in adequate ...
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EPA Proposes PFAS Drinking Water Monitoring Regulation

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 04-20-2023
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed its National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for monitoring six forms of PFAS in drinking water systems. EPA published on March 29 its proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six forms of PFAS including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). Public comment is currently open on the proposal with a May 30 deadline.  Click here to read the proposed NPDWR. ...
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Tahoe Water for Fire Partnership, NSDC Seek Expansion of USDA Wildfire Mitigation Program to Close Water, Fire Infrastructure Gaps

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 04-13-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) joined the Tahoe Water for Fire Suppression Partnership in advocacy to expand a federal wildfire resiliency program to address gaps in adequate water infrastructure for firefighting in high-risk communities.  NSDC, the Lake Tahoe-based Partnership, and the Association of California Water Agencies sent an April 13 letter to House and Senate agriculture committee leaderships requesting eligibility under the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program be expanded to include water infrastructure for fire suppression projects. The effort comes as Congress debates reauthorization of the Farm Bill, which includes ...
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NSDC, Public Trust Advisors to Host Webinar: Strengthening Your Special District’s Investments in an Unpredictable Market

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 03-09-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) in partnership with Public Trust Advisors will host a March 30 webinar offering special districts insights as they navigate and strategize their municipal investments in a time of unpredictable market conditions.   Public Trust Advisors , a Platinum NSDC Affiliate Member, will provide NSDC Members the latest on market and economic conditions before offering best and taking questions. This 75-minute webinar will be live via Zoom on Thursday, March 30, beginning at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. This event is offered at no cost to NSDC Members and their affiliated special districts and organizations.   ...
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National Coalition Readies Federal Push to Address Infrastructure Gaps for Fire Suppression, Seeks Additional Input

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 03-06-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) is prioritizing legislative action in the 118 th Congress to address community gaps in adequate water resources for firefighting and is seeking further input from local agencies providing these services on the experiences they have had in their communities on this topic.   Does your agency have insights to offer on the subject of adequate water infrastructure for firefighting in your community? Share your feedback here.   This effort began in 2022 following initial feedback from numerous special district stakeholders across the country providing fire protection and water services indicating ...
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NSDC to Host March Meeting of Maricopa County, Ariz., Special Districts

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 02-20-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition will host a summit of special districts delivering critical infrastructure and essential public services in the Phoenix Area for a program on common interests among the class of local governments in Maricopa County, Ariz. The Maricopa County Special Districts Meeting will be Wednesday, March 22, in Mesa, and will provide a unique forum for the county’s special district leaders to meet and discuss common needs and receive updates on topics of interest locally, in Arizona, and federally. Those in attendance will hear from their elected representatives’ offices, receive best practices from NSDC Affiliate Streamline ...
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EPA Announces $2B to Address Emerging Water Contaminants in Small, Disadvantaged Communities

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 02-14-2023
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $2 billion to address emerging contaminants in small and disadvantaged communities’ drinking water, including per- and poly- fluoroalkyl (PFAS). EPA made the announcement as it continues to review comments on its proposed rule to designate PFAS as a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and as the Agency readies for release of a proposed rule establishing a national drinking water standard for PFAS “in the coming weeks.” The $2 billion in funding will be made available later this year through the new Emerging Contaminants ...
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Coalition Welcomes Arizona and Washington Fire Districts

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 02-14-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) welcomed in January 2023 the Arizona Fire Districts Association and the Washington Association of Fire Commissioners. Together, the two western fire district stakeholders add hundreds of special districts and thousands of elected officials’ voices to further strengthen the voice of special districts in Washington, D.C.  “Special districts are centerpiece fixtures of fire service in Arizona and Washington providing critical first emergency response and contributing to wildland firefighting efforts – many on a volunteer basis,” said Cole Arreola-Karr, NSDC Federal Advocacy Director. “NSDC warmly welcomes the Arizona ...
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NSDC Reviews 2022, Looks Forward to 2023 Action on Priorities

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 01-05-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC), the only national organization advocating for and elevating special districts’ voice in Washington, D.C., has hit the ground running in 2023 on its federal policy priorities, building on successes from 2022, and is making moves to grow the Coalition. Click here for NSDC’s 2022 Year In Review NSDC approved in December its Federal Advocacy Platform for the 118 th Congress, which serve as a guide to prioritize advocacy efforts. The Coalition will focus efforts on two major policy concerns for special districts: (1) better defining “special district” in federal law for enhanced access to federal programming ...
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NSDC Announces Trial Membership Program for 2023

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 01-03-2023
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) will open its membership and programs on a trial basis to organizations interested in joining the emerging Coalition of special districts stakeholders. Individual special districts (or other special purpose units of local government) and organizations that provide services to and/or represent special districts’ interests across states are invited to join NSDC on a risk-free, three-month trial period between February 1 and July 31, 2023.   Click Here for the 3-Month NSDC Trial Member Application   Special districts, associations, and other organizations joining for the 2023 NSDC Trial Membership ...
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Biden Signs NSDC-Supported Bills to Enhance Mitigation Support in Vulnerable Communities, Review Federal Response to Wildfire

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 12-20-2022
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President Joe Biden signed on Tuesday two bills NSDC has supported in the 117 th Congress that are aimed to boost federal support for disaster mitigation projects in the nation’s most vulnerable communities and directs a review of how federal agencies coordinate and respond to wildfire. Biden signed S. 3875 (Peters), the Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZ) Act and the S. 3092 (Padilla), the FEMA, Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency (FIRE) Act, along with a series of other bills at the White House on December 20. NSDC supported both bipartisan bills throughout the legislative process. The Coalition was part of the CDRZ Act’s first ...
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NSDC Adopts Federal Priorities for 118th Congress, Enhances Focus on Fire Suppression Infrastructure, Parks, and Healthcare Needs

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 12-09-2022
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) has formally adopted the first biennial revision of its Federal Advocacy Platform, which will guide NSDC’s federal efforts and grassroots engagement through the 118 th Congress. NSDC based the document’s amendments on its inaugural platform approved in June 2021, preserving flagship priorities including ongoing efforts to better define “special district” in federal law for greater access to local government programs and resources. Revisions to the policy document were made in collaboration with NSDC Members and with expert feedback gleaned from the establishment of special districts policy advisory groups comprised ...
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Senate, House to Resolve Differences on NSDC-Supported FIRE Act

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 11-18-2022
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The House of Representative passed Thursday an amended version of a Coalition-supported bill to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to review its fire mitigation, readiness, and disaster recovery programs. Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., sponsors   S. 3092 (Padilla), the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency (FIRE) Act of 2022. The current bill maintains most of the supported provisions from its introduction. The bill addresses discrepancies in federal response before and after wildfire events. If passed, it would require FEMA to review its response to wildfire and further examine factors of fire in damage assessments. The National ...
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NSDC Calls for Clarity on Liability, Accounting of Costs Needed on EPA’s Proposed PFAS Regulation

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 11-07-2022
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) provided comment Monday on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to designate two common forms per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). In its comment , the Coalition expressed clear concern of the proposed regulation’s potential significant costs on special districts should liability for contamination not be specified – especially among those providing water, wastewater treatment, and fire protection services. Furthermore, NSDC disagrees ...
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DelBene Meets with Special Districts Providing Critical Infrastructure in NW Washington

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 11-01-2022
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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., met Tuesday with a roundtable of special districts providing critical infrastructure and essential services in Washington’s First Congressional District communities. The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) hosted the virtual event with DelBene’s constituent special districts providing drinking water, wastewater treatment, hospital, port, and broadband services, along with state association partners. Districts discussed legislative and policy issues impacting their ability to deliver quality public services. Of note, districts shared the need to better define “special district” in federal law to break down barriers ...
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Bill to Enhance Federal Cybersecurity Resources for State, Local Governments Signed into Law

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 10-31-2022
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Legislation to solidify collaboration among Federal cyber agencies and enhance their collaboration on cybersecurity measures with state and local government is now law. President Joe Biden signed S. 2520 (Peters), the State and Local Cybersecurity Act of 2021 , ( PL 117-150 ), which codifies communication between the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) and official organizations, such as the Multi-State Information Sharing Analysis Center , that exist to enhance state and local governments’ cybersecurity capacity. CISA already consistently works directly with state and local governments as well agencies providing cyber assistance to ...
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Concerned of Cost Burdens, NSDC Opposes Push to Standardize Financial Reporting Requirements

By Cole Arreola-Karr posted 10-24-2022
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The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC) opposes federal legislation that would standardize local agencies’ federal financial reporting requirements, potentially posing an unnecessary, costly mandate on local agencies issuing bonds and holding investments. NSDC is especially concerned about efforts to include S. 4295 (Warner), the Financial Data Transparency Act , in the must-pass Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Of specific concern is Section 203 of the bill. If successfully attached as part of the NDAA or passed on a stand-alone basis, Section 203 would require the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) ...
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