Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act
This bill ensures that independent local entities—such as fire protection, water, sanitation, and transit districts—are officially recognized across the federal government as local government units eligible for federal funding. The Office of Management and Budget must issue rules clarifying how agencies should evaluate these special districts for grants, loans, and other financial aid. Federal agencies must update their funding policies to follow the new rules within one year, followed by an evaluation report to Congress within two years.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- special districtsGains clear recognition as units of local government eligible to receive federal financial assistance through required OMB guidance (Sec. 2(a)(1)).
Who it burdens
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB)Must issue guidance within 180 days clarifying how agencies recognize special districts for federal assistance eligibility and submit an evaluation report to Congress within two years (Sec. 2(a)(1), Sec. 2(a)(3)).
- federal agencies administering financial assistanceMust implement the OMB guidance and conform all policies, procedures, and guidelines relating to their federal financial assistance programs within one year (Sec. 2(a)(2)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Requires the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance within 180 days clarifying how federal agencies recognize special districts as units of local government eligible for federal financial assistance.
Requires federal agencies to implement the new guidance and update their financial assistance policies and procedures within one year of its release.
Requires the Office of Management and Budget to submit a report to Congress within two years evaluating how federal agencies implemented and complied with the guidance.