Federal Advocacy Committees

NLC’s seven Federal Advocacy Committees play a key role in all NLC advocacy efforts. These Committees:

are comprised of local officials and staff from NLC member cities, towns and villages across the country through an application process each year.
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 finalized the 2026 National Municipal Policy during City Summit 2025. During the conference, the representatives of 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. The NMP is subject to an annual review by the NLC membership during City Summit.

Policy Development Process

The following boxes represent a sequential timeline of the entire policy process life cycle, beginning in the Spring/Summer and culminating at our City Summit conference in November.

Propose Policy Amendments & Resolutions

Spring/Summer

Federal Advocacy Committee Recommends

Summer/Fall to City Summit

Resolution Committee Votes

Resolution Committee Meeting at City Summit

NLC Members Votes

Annual Business Meeting at City Summit

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. 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 for review and consideration. From there, they are adopted by the full membership at the Annual Business Meeting at the NLC City Summit conference.

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.

Make Your Voice Heard

Be part of shaping the NMP and submit a proposed amendment or resolution. Open call submissions will be accepted through June 26, 2026.

SHape the NMP

Committee Appointment Requirements:

Be a local elected or appointed city official or city staff from an NLC member city
Attendance at all meetings (virtual and in-person)
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
Applications to serve on a committee for one term are typically open from October – December

Apply Now for NLC Councils and Committees

Engage with people facing similar challenges in an ever-changing world, and advocate for the needs of their community at the national level. Applications close December 2.

learn more

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!