For many organizations, monitoring legislation doesn’t just mean watching Congress and state legislatures. It means keeping a pulse on city and county councils, too.
Local government impacts almost every industry. If you operate in construction, education, energy, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, transportation, or utilities, you are likely regulated by city and county governments. Teams that aren’t monitoring the local level are only seeing part of the picture.
As we move through 2026, the local policy landscape is shifting from “post-pandemic recovery” to a new era of implementation and regulation. City leaders are grappling with the expiration of federal infrastructure funds, the enforcement of new AI laws, and urgent deadlines for digital accessibility.
If you are engaging locally, here are the top 10 policy issues dominating city and county agendas in 2026.
1. AI Governance & Workforce Integration
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword—it is a regulatory reality. 2026 marks the effective date for major state-level AI laws in California, Colorado, and Texas, which will trickle down to local enforcement.
Locally, the conversation has shifted from “Will we use AI?” to “How do we govern it?” Cybersecurity and AI now rank as top priorities for local CIOs, who are using AI not to replace staff, but as a “workforce multiplier” to augment human services. Expect city councils to debate acceptable use policies, data privacy for constituents, and procurement standards for AI tools.
Pro Tip: Use Quorum’s Quincy (AI assistant) to instantly summarize complex AI ordinances and draft briefing notes for your team.
2. Infrastructure Reauthorization (The “Fiscal Cliff”)
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which pumped $550 billion into local projects, is set to expire in September 2026.
While cranes are still in the sky, local governments are nervously eyeing the “fiscal cliff.” The conversation in 2026 is dominated by two things: execution (finishing projects before deadlines) and reauthorization (lobbying federal partners for what comes next). You will see heightened activity among city councils as they pass resolutions demanding continued federal support for transit, water, and broadband.
3. Zoning Reform & “Missing Middle” Housing
The housing crisis has forced a radical rethink of local zoning. In 2026, “missing middle” housing—duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—is going mainstream.
Municipalities are moving away from exclusive single-family zoning to allow for “gentle density”. You will see zoning boards actively debating measures to eliminate parking minimums and streamline permitting for office-to-residential conversions, especially in downtown cores struggling with high vacancy rates.
4. Digital Accessibility Compliance
April 2026 brings a hard deadline from the Department of Justice regarding digital accessibility for state and local governments.
Cities must ensure their websites, apps, and digital services are accessible to people with disabilities. This is triggering a massive wave of procurement and digital modernization projects. For vendors and advocates, this is a critical window to engage with local officials who are scrambling to update outdated content management systems before the deadline.
5. Fiscal Authority & State Preemption
A major trend in 2026 is the tension between state capitols and city halls regarding money. States are increasingly limiting local taxing authority, even as local costs rise.
You will see high-stakes battles over “local-option taxes.” For example, cities in Wisconsin and Florida are fighting for the right to levy their own sales or property taxes to fund essential services like fire departments and transit, while state legislatures move to cap those powers. Monitoring these fiscal tug-of-wars is essential for any organization relying on municipal contracts.
6. Climate Resilience in Land Use
Climate action has moved from “goals” to “code.” In 2026, climate-resilience planning is becoming non-negotiable in local zoning.
City councils are updating floodplain standards and adding “climate risk overlays” to zoning maps. This changes where development can happen and how infrastructure is built. Expect to see strict new ordinances on building performance standards, electrification (gas bans), and flood-mitigation requirements for new developments.
7. Public Safety & Community Trust
Public safety remains a top issue, but the approach is evolving. Cities like Denver are setting aggressive 2026 goals to reduce gun-related violence through community-focused initiatives rather than just traditional policing.
Local debates are centering on the integration of technology in policing (surveillance, shot-spotters) versus privacy concerns. Retail crime also continues to drive policy conversations in metro areas, forcing councils to balance business protection with criminal justice reform.
8. Homelessness & “Housing First”
Homelessness remains a humanitarian and political crisis. In 2026, the focus is shifting toward data-driven “Housing First” strategies combined with integrated care.
Local governments are under pressure to show results. You will see initiatives aimed at reducing unsheltered homelessness specifically, often through the rapid deployment of temporary housing solutions and increased funding for mental health services. However, budget constraints are making these programs harder to sustain without new revenue streams.
9. Education & Workforce Development
School boards are on the front lines of the “Silver Tsunami”—the wave of public sector retirements leaving critical skill gaps.
Beyond curriculum debates, 2026 school board agendas are heavily focused on workforce readiness. Districts are partnering with local governments to create pipelines for trades, tech, and AI literacy to ensure students can enter a changing economy. Expect policy discussions on “upskilling” curricula and partnerships with local industries.
10. Immigration & Sanctuary Policies
Immigration policy continues to have outsized impacts at the local level. Cities are managing the practical realities of migrant flows, which strain local shelters, schools, and healthcare systems.
In 2026, you will see a divergence: some cities will double down on “sanctuary” policies to protect undocumented residents, while others may face pressure to comply with stricter federal or state enforcement measures. This creates a patchwork of regulations that organizations must navigate carefully.
How to Stay Ahead in 2026
With thousands of municipalities introducing new ordinances every week, manual tracking is no longer feasible.
Quorum Local helps you cut through the noise with AI-powered tracking for city and county legislation. You can search transcripts of city council meetings for specific keywords, get alerts on zoning changes, and use Quincy to summarize lengthy meeting minutes in seconds.
Ready to modernize your local government affairs strategy? Learn more about Quorum Local
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the “Fiscal Cliff” for local governments in 2026?
The “fiscal cliff” refers to the expiration of federal pandemic-era funding (like ARPA) and the upcoming expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in September 2026. This loss of federal support, combined with rising costs, is forcing local governments to cut budgets or seek new tax revenues.
How does the DOJ’s 2026 deadline affect local governments?
By April 2026, state and local governments must ensure their digital content (websites, apps, documents) meets specific accessibility standards under the ADA. Failure to comply can result in legal action, prompting a rush of digital modernization projects across municipalities.
What is “Missing Middle” housing?
“Missing Middle” housing refers to multi-unit housing types like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes that fit into residential neighborhoods but are denser than single-family homes. Zoning reforms in 2026 are increasingly legalizing these housing types to address affordability shortages.
How can I track local policy effectively?
Because local government websites vary wildly in quality, using a centralized tracking tool is essential. Quorum Local aggregates agendas, minutes, and legislation from thousands of cities and counties, allowing you to track keywords and receive alerts automatically.