The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is examining the effects of unfunded mandates on states, local governments, tribes and the private sector. They are also working to identify potential opportunities to reduce the impact of unfunded mandates. (NACo interest in mandates). Through this effort, the Committee is working to better understand how unfunded mandates impact non-federal interests. Unfunded mandates are statutes or regulations that require states and local governments to perform certain functions without additional funds or reduce or eliminate the states and localities ability to collect revenues to cover the costs of complying with an unfunded mandate. Click here to see a list of federal unfunded mandates identified by NACo counties.

Specifically, the Committee is asking for help to identify those federal mandates that cause the greatest strain. The Committee has requested that counties share their experiences and perspectives on the impact of unfunded mandates. This includes examples of specific federal statutes or regulations that impose such mandates and related cost estimates or compliance challenges to your county.

Some unfunded mandates that your county may highlight include, but are not limited to:

  • Uncompensated health care costs
  • Section 404 Clean Water Act permitting requirements and costs
  • Clean Air Act requirements for ozone, greenhouse gas and particulate matter standards
  • Prohibition to use revenues from internet access taxes in those states that have approved laws
  • Federal emission requirements on landfills
  • Requirements under the Endangered Species Act

Your county should also highlight the following:

  • The estimated cost of the regulation overall (or per project)
  • High level overview of county responsibilities in your state
  • How do unfunded mandates impact your county? Can you raise taxes? What other services can (or has) your county cut as a result of unfunded mandates?
  • How does your county pay for unfunded mandates—i.e. does your county derive most of its revenue through property taxes, etc.?

Please email your response to unfunded.mandateOGR@mail.house.gov and copy Julie Ufner, NACo Associate Legislative Director, jufner@naco.org on your emails. Comments are due by January 20, 2017.

Julie A. Ufner
Associate Legislative Director—Environment, Energy and Land Use
National Association of Counties
jufner@naco.org
202.942.4269
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