Federal Advocacy Committees
NLC’s seven Federal Advocacy Committees, with NLC’s leadership and the Federal Advocacy team, play a key role in all NLC advocacy efforts. These Committees are comprised of local officials from NLC member cities, towns and villages across the country. The Committees play a central role in developing the organization’s federal policy positions, which are the foundation of our advocacy efforts and leading our advocacy on the Hill and within the Administration. NLC’s federal policy positions make up the National Municipal Policy.
NLC finalized the 2025 National Municipal Policy during City Summit 2024. During the conference, the entire NLC membership, including the State Municipal Leagues, considered changes to the National Municipal Policy (NMP). The NMP is NLC’s comprehensive policy platform on federal issues directly affecting or of concern to cities, towns and villages. It serves as the foundation for NLC’s federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation’s cities, towns, and villages and is subject to an annual review by the NLC membership during the City Summit. A relevant and robust NMP is essential to elevating the voices of cities, towns and villages on Capitol Hill.
Policy Development Process
The policy development process is dynamic and inclusive, encouraging all NLC members to identify emerging topics of immediate and long-term consequence to the nation’s municipalities and allowing them to develop standing positions and advocacy strategies. Every year, members may submit amendments to standing policy and propose resolutions addressing timely issues or specific pieces of legislation. Submissions are then forwarded to the Federal Advocacy Committees of jurisdiction for review and consideration. From there, they are adopted by the full membership at the Annual Business Meeting at the NLC City Summit.
Once adopted, standing policy language remains in effect permanently until it is amended by the NLC membership. Resolutions sunset after one year unless action is taken to renew them for another year or incorporate them into permanent policy language.
Join a NLC Federal Advocacy Committee
Applications to join NLC Federal Advocacy Committees are now open from October 3 through November 25, 2024. Log in to MyNLC to submit an application today to advocate for positive change on a national scale and help shape the future of NLC.
Committee Appointment Requirements:
- Be a local elected or appointed city official or city staff from an NLC member city
- Attendance at all meetings
- Commitment to take advocacy actions on behalf of NLC and your City
- Meaningfully contribute to the Committee you are serving on
- Actively advocate on NLC’ s organizational priorities
- Participate in Policy discussions as needed
Community & Economic Development Committee
Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee
Finance, Administration & Intergovernmental Relations Committee
Human Development Committee
Information Technology & Communications Committee
Public Safety & Crime Prevention Committee
Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee
Federal Advocacy Committee Application
Annually, the incoming NLC President appoints the leaders and the members of the Federal Advocacy Committees to a one-year term. Local elected and appointed city and town officials from NLC member cities are eligible to be appointed to NLC’s Federal Advocacy Committees. To be considered for an appointment, officials must complete the online application. In addition to leading the Federal Advocacy Committees, those appointed as committee chairs will also serve on NLC’s Board of Directors during their leadership year. Federal Advocacy Committee membership appointments will be announced following the NLC’s City Summit conference held in November.
Federal Advocacy Committee applications are now closed. Please check back for updates!