2026 Legislative Conference

 

2026 NACCED Legislative Conference

Thursday, February 19
Advocacy Day and NACCED Hill Briefing
Office Buildings on Capitol Hill

  • 9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Visits with members of Congress
  • 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: NACCED Capitol Hill Briefing: A Conversation with Local County Leaders on Federal Program Successes and Modernization Solutions
Sponsored by U.S. Representative Emmanuel Cleaver
This year’s NACCED Capitol Hill Briefing will convene local county leaders for a discussion on the effectiveness of federal housing, community and economic development programs. County leaders will share firsthand experiences implementing federal programs and highlight successes that have delivered meaningful results for localities. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear recommendations on improving federal program flexibility, efficiency and long-term impact. This briefing is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the critical role counties play in advancing effective federal programs directly impacting NACCED members.
Location:
  • Rayburn House Office Building Room 2168 (Gold Room); 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515
Speakers: TBA
 

Friday, February 20 - Virtual Option Available
Presentations and NACCED Board of Directors Meeting
NACCED's office at Smithbucklin: 2001 K Street, N.W., 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006
All times eastern.

  • 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Board of Directors Meeting
  • 11:00am – 12:00pm: Washington Update
Josh and Jared are back for our annual Washington Update to provide NACCED members with a timely overview of key legislative and regulatory developments shaping housing, community and economic development policy in 2026. Attendees will gain the latest insights on congressional activity, administrative actions, and federal fiscal decisions impacting NACCED priority programs.
Speakers:
  • Josh Brandwein, Policy Director, NACCED
  • Jared Grigas, Associate Legislative Director of Community, Economic, and Workforce Development, National Association of Counties
  • 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm: Lunch
  • 12:30pm – 1:00pm: Message from conference sponsor Neighborly Software
  • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Navigating Federal Grants in 2026

Join us for a comprehensive overview of recent federal updates and emerging issues shaping the grantmaking landscape. Participants will learn top strategies for strengthening compliance systems and writing protocols including managing terms and conditions, narrative writing, reporting, eligibility tracking and much more! The session will also provide an update on CDBG and HOME by highlighting how recent executive actions and HUD updates may impact local activities. Attendees will additionally get a chance to work through practical discussion questions with guided responses designed to reinforce key concepts.
Speaker:
  • Rachel Werner, Principal, MyFedTrainer
  • 2:00pm – 3:00pm: Evolving Landscape in Federal Programs Under PRWORA
Federal agencies are resetting decades-old regulations and practices under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (“PRWORA”) to prohibit federally-funded services to noncitizens who do not meet “Qualified Alien” requirements.  This policy change expands long-standing assistance restrictions tied to immigration status by requiring verification of citizenship or immigration status, of otherwise program-eligible individuals, in certain federal programs for the first time. Join us for a discussion of key impacts of new Federal program policies under PRWORA, lead Federal agency guidance, and the evolving landscape of immigration policies in Federally-assisted safety net and other grant programs.  
Speaker:
  • Phillip Escoriaza, Partner, Feldesman LLP
  • 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Federal Disaster Recovery Insights for 2026

2026 is going to be a year of significant change for Federal disaster recovery policies and programs as the Trump Administration continues its effort to alter the long-standing status quo. The discussion will focus on impacts of:

  • The FEMA Council 
  • Policy and operational steps taken by FEMA over the past several months
  • Prospects for Congressional action on the FEMA Act (HR 4669) and CDBG-DR Authorization 
  • Funding outlook as part of delayed FY 2026 and FY 2027 full year appropriations
  • Collective impacts for counties and states.
 
Speakers:
  • Stan Gimont, Senior Advisor for Community Recovery, Hagerty Consulting
  • John Hageman, Deputy Director of Recovery, Hagerty Consulting
4:00pm – 5:00pm: HOME Rule Overview
Speaker:
  • Ginny Sardone, former Director, Office of Affordable Housing Programs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

 

In this presentation, Ginny Sardone will provide an overview of the HOME rule and all that grantees need to know regarding changes to regulations and compliance.

  • 6:30 pm: Board of Directors and Committee Leaders Dinner - Invitation Only – Pay on your own


Saturday, February 21
NACo Policy Steering Committee Meeting
Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20009

  • 9:30 am - 4:30 pm: Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee


Sunday, February 22
NACo Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Meeting
Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20009

  • 9:00am - 11:15 am: NACo Large Urban County Caucus Meeting