S.2014 - Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act aims to ensure that special districts are recognized as local governments for the purpose of Federal financial assistance determinations. It requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to agencies on how to recognize special districts as eligible recipients of federal funds. This guidance must be implemented by agencies within one year, and a report on the implementation must be submitted to Congress within two years.
Expected Effects
The act will likely increase the amount of federal financial assistance received by special districts. This could lead to improved services and infrastructure within those districts. It also formalizes the recognition of special districts within the federal funding framework.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to federal funding for special districts.
- Improved services and infrastructure in special districts due to increased funding.
- Greater clarity and consistency in how federal agencies treat special districts.
- Enhanced budgetary autonomy for special districts.
- Potential for more efficient use of federal resources through targeted funding.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative burden on federal agencies.
- Risk of misallocation of funds if guidance is not properly implemented.
- Possible inequities if some special districts are favored over others.
- Potential for increased federal oversight of special districts.
- The definition of 'special district' could be interpreted differently by different agencies, leading to inconsistencies.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the principle of promoting the general welfare. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States. This act seeks to clarify how federal funds are distributed, potentially leading to more effective use of those funds. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this act does not appear to infringe on state sovereignty, as it merely provides guidance on federal financial assistance.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).