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Chair Jen Kaguewara and county members report NACO conference takeaways on FEMA, transportation and benefits
Summary
At the committee's March 3 meeting in Hilo, members summarized takeaways from the National Association of Counties conference, highlighting proposed FEMA changes to upfront county funding, surface transportation reauthorization, and pending farm bill and SNAP deliberations.
Chair Jen Kaguewara told the Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs that members attending the National Association of Counties conference heard proposals that could change how counties receive federal emergency funding.
"There is some significant progress being made around FEMA and potential amendments to how that organization operates, particularly moving from a reimbursement model to FEMA providing the funding upfront to counties," said Council member Kimball, who moved to close Communication 40.6 and report the conference outcomes.
Why it matters: shifting FEMA grants from reimbursement to upfront payments would alter county cash-flow and planning for disaster response. Committee members also discussed national-level priorities that could affect local services, including surface transportation reauthorization, increased funding for mental health and substance-abuse services, and proposed changes to Medicaid reimbursement for inpatient services.
Council member Onishi said he sponsored a resolution at the conference asking the federal decennial census to add a checkbox for reservists and National Guard members who were not called to active duty. "Right now, on the census, it's only about military, retired, or active, and there's no checkbox for any reservists," Onishi said, adding that the change would help better count reservists in communities.
The committee closed Communication 40.6 by voice vote and the clerk recorded nine ayes. Chair Kaguewara also noted upcoming regional meetings, including a Western States conference in Maui in May where staff and council members plan to raise county priorities with federal and defense representatives.
Committee action: The committee approved closing Communication 40.6 and recommended the conference report be noted for the record.
Sources and speakers: Direct quotes and summaries are drawn from remarks by Chair Jen Kaguewara and Council members Kimball and Onishi during the March 3, 2026 committee meeting in Hilo.
Ending: The committee moved on to nominations for the Veterans Advisory Committee.
