INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)
Download FFIS’s IIJA State Allocations Spreadsheet FFIS continues to populate its IIJA spreadsheet with new announcements on program implementation; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. A dedicated tab includes recently issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs). New allocations are provided for:
- Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (awards for FYs 2022-2023)
- Building Training and Assessment Centers (final awards)
- Industrial Research and Assessment Centers (awards for Industrial Assessment Centers)
- Multi-benefit projects to improve watershed health (awards for Environmental Water Resource Projects)
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Updates FAQs for Clean School Bus Program New items were added November 24.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Host Webinar on $300 Million FY 2023 Swift Current Funding Opportunity Under Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program It will be held today, November 28, 2:00 p.m. ET (register through the link above).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Announces BABA Guidance and Webinar for CPF Grantees The webinar targets Build America Buy America (BABA) requirements for Community Project Funding (CPF). It will provide updates on new BABA regulations and practical steps grantees should take to implement them. The webinar will be held December 5, 2:00 p.m. ET. Register via the link above.
TRANSPORTATION
Department of Transportation (DOT) Establishes Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy As directed by the IIJA, the office will oversee the development of the National Multimodal Freight Network, review State Freight Plans, and provide technical assistance to state and local governments, among other duties.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Announces Availability of $120 Million for FY 2023-2024 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) FHWA will provide grants to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, mobility, efficiency, system performance, intermodal connectivity, and infrastructure return on investment. Applications are due February 2, 2024. FHWA will host a webinar on the opportunity December 6, 11:30 a.m. ET (register).
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Hosting Overview Webinar on State Safety Oversight (SSO) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) It will be held November 30, 3:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above). The NPRM can be found here.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA)
Download IRA State Allocations Spreadsheet The spreadsheet, updated weekly, lists state allocations and estimates, summary information on eligibility and other grant features, and links to additional information. No new allocations are provided this week.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Announces Availability of $2 Billion for Community Change Grants Through the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants Program EPA will provide grants to community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs), including those in partnership with local governments, tribes, or institutions of higher education, for projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through November 21, 2024. EPA will host a webinar series on the opportunity, with the first scheduled for December 7, 2:00 p.m. ET (register). Additional information is here.
CORONAVIRUS
FFIS Updates COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New or updated figures are provided for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
- COVID-19 Related Unemployment Insurance Benefits
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Maintenance of effort waiver requests
- Links to materials regarding American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP ESSER) state and local educational agency (LEA)/school district plans
HEALTH
Administration Makes More COVID-19 Tests Available Households can receive four more tests delivered directly to their homes. Orders will ship starting this week.
TREASURY
Treasury Posts Obligation Interim Final Rule Webinar The webinar provides an introduction and summary of the 2023 Obligation Interim Final Rule, which governs State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and became effective November 20.
OTHER NEWS
AGRICULTURE
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Forest Service, Partners Award $4.1 Million Through Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program The awards will support efforts to reforest legacy mine lands, improve forest habitat management for birds, implement riparian buffers on agricultural lands, and restore aquatic connectivity in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Awardees include state agencies, nonprofits, and local commissions.
ENERGY
ENVIRONMENT
EPA to Host Grant Webinar Series
- Competition Process: December 4, 1:00 p.m. ET (register)
- Fair Share Objectives: December 5, 3:00 p.m. ET (register)
- Indirect Cost Rates: December 6, 1:00 p.m. ET (register)
EPA Issues Draft Guidance on Certain Pollution Discharges Through Groundwater Under the Clean Water Act In County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, the U.S. Supreme Court held that point source discharges to a water of the United States through groundwater require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit if the discharge is the “functional equivalent” of a direct discharge. This guidance will assist permitting authorities, the regulated community, and other stakeholders in appropriately applying the “functional equivalent” standard in the NPDES permits program.
HEALTH
Administration Announces Actions to Bolster Medical Supply Chain The president will issue a determination broadening the authorities of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Title III of the Defense Production Act, which will enable investment in domestic manufacturing of essential medicines and medical countermeasures. HHS will also designate a new Supply Chain Resilience and Shortage Coordinator.
HHS Posts Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace National Enrollment Snapshot The release includes 2024 plan selections by state.
HHS Provides State and Local Estimates of the Uninsured Population To support state and local outreach efforts, HHS developed state, county, and local estimates of the number of U.S. residents without health insurance and their demographic characteristics, using the most recent Census data available from the 2022 American Community Survey.
HRSA Releases Updated Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (MCH) Data The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released updated financial, programmatic, and performance measurement data, based on FY 2022 annual reports submitted by states.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Provides Guidance on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Exceptions for Homeless and Foster Youth The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provided details on new exceptions and definitions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
ACF Releases Summary of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Provisions in Fiscal Responsibility Act, Request for Information (RFI) ACF provided details on the reporting of work outcomes, pilot projects, and work participation rate calculation changes. It also released an RFI for feedback on design and implementation of the new pilot program and measures for work outcomes. Comments close January 11, 2024.
ACF Publishes Checklist for Modernizing a Legacy Child Support System
ACF Posts FY 2024 Allocations for Refugee Support Services Set-Asides ACF posted the following, which explain the allocation methods and detail funding amounts that are contingent on enactment of final FY 2024 appropriations:
HOMELAND SECURITY
FEMA Releases First Post-Disaster Equity Guide for Local Officials
FEMA to Host Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Management Costs Webinar It will be held November 30, 2:00 p.m. ET (register through the link above).
HOUSING
HUD Issues Allocation Announcement Notice for CDBG–DR Funds The notice allocates $142 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG–DR) funds appropriated by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, for major disasters occurring in 2022 and 2023. It also identifies grant requirements for these funds.
HUD Awards $24.5 Million to Expand Housing Choices for Families Housing Mobility-Related Services awards to seven public housing agencies (PHAs) expand choices for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) families with children by increasing access to neighborhoods with high-performing schools, access to jobs, low crime rates, parks, and other amenities. The list of awardees is here.
INTERIOR
Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) Issues Notice of States’ Decisions on Whether to Participate in Marginal Property Relief ONRR provides a list of marginal federal oil and gas properties that qualify for accounting and auditing relief to the states receiving a portion of royalties from those properties. Each state then decides whether to participate in either or both relief options.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Publishes Final Rule on Use of Merit Staff for Wagner-Peyser Employment Service With the exception of Colorado, Massachusetts, and Michigan, states will be required to use state merit staff to conduct Employment Service programs. The new rule overturns one finalized in 2020 that gave states the flexibility to use non-merit staff. States have until January 22, 2026, to comply. DOL also posted a memo summarizing the rule and addressing implications for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) state plans.
DOL Announces Addition of Program Topic Locator to Unemployment Insurance Community of Practice Website
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Action for Healthy Kids Update Map and List of Healthy Meals Incentives Grantees Grants of up to $150,000 went to 264 school districts in 44 states and the District of Columbia.
FNS Posts Q&As on Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program The Q&As expand on previously released guidance, providing additional information on program administration, eligibility, certification, verification, and EBT benefits.
FNS Posts State Data on Number of Summer EBT-Eligible Children Currently Receiving SNAP
TRANSPORTATION
DOT Issues Final Rule Requiring States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to Establish Reduction Targets for Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions States and MPOs have flexibility under the rule to set targets that are appropriate for their communities and that work for their respective climate change and other policy priorities, as long as the targets aim to reduce emissions over time. The rule is effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to Host Webinar on Justice40 Rail Explorer Tool The tool allows users to understand rail infrastructure and potential improvement projects in the context of the surrounding communities. The webinar will be held December 6, 1:00 p.m. ET (register at the link in heading).
FTA Publishes Spare Ratio Policy FAQs The spare ratio policy ensures that grant recipients operate within prudent financial management guidelines and do not use federal funds to acquire rolling stock until needed. The updated FAQ page showcases flexibilities that ensure all agencies are aware of the range of fleet management options, especially as more transit agencies transition fleets to zero emission technology.
VETERANS
Department of Veterans Affairs Publishes Final Rule with New Formula for State Home Per Diem Payments The rule takes effect December 28 and will be used for FY 2024. It changes the formula for the prevailing rate for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities to better account for inflation.