As previously announced by the National Special Districts Association (NSDA), the marquee legislation to define special districts in federal law has been introduced in the 119th Congress and SDAO is calling on all special districts and their partners to join the NSDA Coalition in support of H.R. 2766, the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act.

Join Coalition in Support of Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act

H.R. 2766 is a reintroduction of H.R. 7525 from the last Congress, which was titled the Special District Grant Accessibility Act. Because, other than the title, the bill language in H.R. 2766 is identical to its predecessor, NSDA will retain participants from last year’s coalition unless they ask to withdraw.

• Check here to see if your district or organization is listed in support.
• If not listed, complete this form.
• If you’d like to be removed, email chantalu@nationalspecialdistricts.org or message NSDA here.

In the last Congress, H.R. 7525 passed the House of Representatives with broad bi-partisan support and cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with just one “no” vote but failed to receive an opportunity to be voted upon by the full Senate. H.R. 2766 is the vehicle to continue our progress in the new Congress.

Call to Action

What can special districts, their partners, and their communities do to help pass H.R. 2766? Urge Congress to support and cosponsor the Special Districts Fairness and Accessibility Act using the resources provided by NSDA (SDAO members can sign-in to NSDA website to access full content and benefits using Access Code: SDAO7525)

Join the Coalition

• Complete the form and encourage others to sign on.

• Talking Points: Engage with decisionmakers, stakeholders, and your communities.
• Co-Sponsor Request: Use this template to request your Congressional Representatives co-sponsor H.R. 2766.
• Social Media Graphic: Use this graphic to build your social media posts.

Refresh

Federal law currently lacks a clear definition of “special district,” creating unnecessary barriers to federal resources, emergency funding, and essential grants. Since 2020, NSDA has led efforts to establish a federal definition. This work has resulted in proposed legislation to amend U.S. Code Title 13, ensuring that special districts are formally recognized and equitably included in federal programs. This legislation, the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act, will:

• Clarify the Role of Special Districts 
  • Ensuring they are formally recognized as vital units of local government.
  • Improve Access to Federal Funding – Allowing special districts to compete fairly for grants and resources.
  • Reinforce Local Control  Accountability – Keeping decision-making in the hands of the communities they serve. 
• Support Critical Public Services
  • Strengthening infrastructure, emergency response, and essential operations.
  • Now is the time to ensure that special districts receive the recognition and resources they deserve.
  • Join us in championing local control, efficiency, and community-driven solutions for a stronger, more resilient future!

Proposed Federal Definition: Why Special Districts Matter

• Empowering Local Communities
  • Special districts are the purest expression of local control. Created by communities to meet their specific needs, they operate with direct accountability to residents. Whether managing water infrastructure, maintaining fire protection, or ensuring public health, these districts respond swiftly and effectively to local demands without layers of bureaucracy
• Ensuring Fair Access to Federal Resources
  • The absence of a federal definition has resulted in special districts being excluded from critical programs such as COVID-19 relief funding, infrastructure investments, and disaster recovery aid. Establishing a definition will eliminate these barriers, ensuring that special districts receive the support they need to continue serving their communities.
• Delivering Efficiency and Specialization
  • Unlike general-purpose governments, special districts focus solely on one service area, leading to operational efficiencies, cost-effective management, and innovative solutions. This specialization allows them to deliver high-quality services without competing priorities, ultimately benefiting taxpayers and service users.
• Strengthening Infrastructure and Public Safety
  • From maintaining clean drinking water systems to wildfire mitigation, special districts manage the essential infrastructure that keeps communities safe and thriving. Recognizing these districts in federal law enhances their ability to plan, invest, and maintain resilience in the face of growing challenges.