Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act Introduced with ASDA Support
The Arizona Special Districts Alliance strongly supports legislation to federally define the term “special district” in efforts to address the primary problem impacting special districts’ engagement with federal projects and access to federally-sourced funding.
Congressman Pat Fallon, R-Texas, sponsors the bipartisan Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act. The bill would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to direct all federal agencies to adopt the definition for program guidance within six months of the bill’s enactment.
The intent of this policy change is to underscore across the Federal government that special districts are, indeed, local units of government, and to begin setting special districts on a more level playing field for federal dollars and projects.
“Hundreds of special districts provide the backbone of critical infrastructure and essential public services across Arizona, yet many are omitted from planning processes and funding programs simply because they are not a city or county,” said Carol Shrock, Arizona Special Districts Alliance President. “The Arizona Special Districts Alliance strongly supports the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act to ensure special districts providing fire protection, water utilities, libraries, hospitals, irrigation, electricity, and more, are seen as local governments in the eyes of federal agencies. We look forward to this crucial bill’s passage to finally set Arizona’s districts on a more fair and level playing field to access federally-sourced programs.”
Join the Grassroots Coalition to Support the Bill
Click here to join the grassroots coalition in support of the Special District Accessibility and Fairness Act.
Receive a template support letter to send your member of Congress, support for your direct advocacy, and get a talking points/discussion guide.
ASDA will be coordinating efforts among supporting Arizona districts and interested ASDA Members to directly advocate.
Click here for a one-page background memo.
The Importance of Establishing a “Special District” Definition
Defining “special district” in federal law with the force of an OMB directive would underscore special districts as a unit of local government and improve special districts’ inclusion in planning processes, as partners in federal infrastructure projects, and moreover ensure districts are on a more level playing field for federal funding, in general.
The benefits of a “special district” definition would extend beyond grant and finance programs, and stands to elevate special districts’ standing and ability to get involved with intergovernmental planning processes for federal infrastructure projects and improve how federal funding is allocated through the states. Further, the legislation would set the cornerstone to finally address major problems, such as federal agencies’ inability to certify special districts’ population figures.
ASDA encourages all of Arizona's special districts to advocate for this critical effort to break down hurdles to leveraging and participating in federal programs.
For questions about the legislation, contact Cole Arreola-Karr, ASDA Policy Manager, at cole@karradvocacy.com. For questions about the Arizona Special Districts Alliance, contact Sara Carroll, ASDA Administrator, at info.asd.alliance@gmail.com.