With over 25,000 noted Special District supporters across the United States, NSDA's strategies, including an influential visit to key Congressional Offices this spring are showing success! Thank you to the founding co-sponsors!

On June 10, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act, legislation that would establish a first-ever, formal definition of “special district” in federal law. The bipartisan bill (S. 2014) – which is cosponsored by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) – also would direct the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies requiring special districts to be recognized as local governments for purposes of ensuring that districts have access to all appropriate forms of federal financial assistance.

It is noted that S. 2014 is identical to legislation (H.R. 2766) that was introduced earlier this year by Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO). Under the bill, 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 legislation’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.

“The National Special Districts Association (NSDA) is grateful to Senators Cornyn, Merkley, Moreno, and Gallego for their leadership on behalf of the nation’s special districts,” said Ann Terry, Chair of NSDA and Chief Executive Officer of the Special District Association of Colorado. “Special districts provide essential public services to millions of Americans, including fire protection and emergency services, clean water, public transit, hospital, parks and recreation, airport, natural resource conservation, and many more. The bipartisan Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act would establish a formal definition of 'special district' in federal law and ensure that the nearly 40,000 special districts nationwide are eligible to receive all appropriate forms of federal financial assistance. NSDA looks forward to continuing working with Senator Cornyn and his colleagues, as well as our special district partners across the nation, to ensure that this critically important piece of legislation is enacted into law.”

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward!

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.