WASHINGTON – Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH) introduced the bipartisan Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act, which would codify a formal definition of “special district” to ensure that Arizonans receive access to essential services.
“Special districts provide essential services like fire protection, water, and transportation, but because they don’t have an official definition, they often cannot get the same federal support as other local governments,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to support this bill to finally define special districts so they can access the resources for services that millions of Arizonans rely on.”
While special districts are already intended to be eligible for federal grants and other assistance, many special districts were unintentionally excluded from receiving federal aid during the pandemic due to the lack of clarity in current law. This legislation seeks to provide greater clarity for federal agencies administering grant funds so they are better able to support special districts with everything from infrastructure improvements to disaster recovery assistance and more.
Specifically, the bill would direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance recognizing special districts as units of local government for the purpose of being eligible to receive federal assistance. Additionally, the bill would establish the following definition in federal law:
“The term ‘special district’ means a political subdivision of a State, with specified boundaries and significant budgetary autonomy or control, created by or pursuant to the laws of the State, for the purpose of performing limited and specific governmental or proprietary functions that distinguish it as a significantly separate entity from the administrative governance structure of any other form of local government unit within a State.”
Congressman Pat Fallon (R-TX-04) introduced companion legislation in the House. The legislation is endorsed by the American Association of Special Districts, National Association of Emergency & Fire Officials, National Special Districts Association, Texas State Association of Fire & Emergency Districts (SAFE-D), Texas Special Districts Coalition, Texas Water Association, Trinity River Authority, North Texas Municipal Water District, Northeast Texas Municipal Water District, and Rolling Plains Groundwater Conservation District.
Read the full bill HERE.
6/11/25