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:
- Clean Water State Revolving Funds: Emerging Contaminants (updated FY 2022 figures)
- Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: Emerging Contaminants (updated FY 2022 figures)
- Ferry Service for Rural Communities (FY 2023 awards; new)
- Urbanized Area Passenger Ferry Program (FY 2023 awards; new)
- Affordable Connectivity Program
COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Releases National Coastal Resilience Fund Awards for November Grants funded by the IIJA total $144 million in 2023. November awards are listed here.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Clarifies Guidance on Allowability of Extended Warranties and Their Effect on Lifetime Allowances of Photovoltaic Installations Under Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
DOE Requests Comment on Proposed Interpretation of Statutory Definition of “Foreign Entity of Concern” (FEOC) Regarding Domestic Batteries Comments are due January 3, 2024.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Reallots FY 2022 Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF; CWSRF) Dollars FY 2022 funds were declined as follows:
- Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington declined a total of $219 million of their FY 2022 DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement allotments.
- Oklahoma declined $4.9 million of its FY 2022 DWSRF Emerging Contaminant (EC) allotment.
- Mississippi declined $842,000 of its FY 2022 CWSRF EC allotment due to a lack of available projects.
Recipients that declined funding or did not receive full allotments within the first fiscal year of availability are ineligible for reallotted funds.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Seeks Comment on New Foundational Cybersecurity Assessment Information Collection Request The purpose of the assessment is to guide state, local, territorial, and tribal entities through the first 12–18 months of their cybersecurity plan development. The cybersecurity plans are required for applicants under the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. Comments are due February 4, 2024.
HOUSING
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Summarizes FY 2023 Wildfire Mitigation and Rehabilitation Investments by State DOI provided more than $468 million in FY 2023.
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Hosting IIJA Implementation Update Webinars
TRANSPORTATION
Department of Transportation (DOT) to Host Webinar on New Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool and Recently Updated Rural Grant Application Toolkit It will be held today, December 5, 3:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above). Additional information is here.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Announces Availability of $343 Million for FY 2024 All Stations Accessibility Program The program provides grants to improve transit access for persons with disabilities and mobility needs. Applications are due January 30, 2024.
DOT Makes $1.5 Billion Available for FY 2024 Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program DOT will award grants for planning and construction projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation. Applications are due February 28, 2024.
FTA Awards More Than $220 Million Through Two Ferry Programs FTA awarded $170 million for six projects through the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program and $50.1 million for seven projects through the Urbanized Area Passenger Ferry Grant Program. A list of awards under both programs is here.
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to Host Webinar on the Importance of Zero-Emission Ridership for All Modes of Transportation It will be held today, December 5, 2:00 p.m. ET (register through the link above).
FTA Posts Calendar Year 2024 Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates for Financial Assistance Recipients Additionally, FTA will host three training sessions on its Drug and Alcohol testing program’s Virtual Management Information System:
- December 13, 1:00 p.m. ET (register)
- January 30, 2024, 11:00 a.m. ET (register)
- March 12, 2024, 11:00 a.m. ET (register)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Requests Comment on New Information Collection for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services (DBE/SS) Program The new information collection will replace existing Statements of Work (SOWs) submitted by states on DBE/SS activities with an electronic, standardized format form. Comments are due January 3, 2024.
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 Updates Planning Grantees’ Contact Information and Implementation Grants Q&As for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program
HOUSING
HUD Updates Progress on its Climate Action Plan
INTERIOR
DOI Announces $77.6 Million Investment for Lake Mead Water Conservation Projects
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Release Proposed Guidance on Clean Vehicle Provisions in IRA
Treasury Analysis Finds IRA is Driving Clean Energy Investment to Underserved Communities, Communities at the Forefront of Fossil Fuel Production
Treasury, IRS, and DOE Announce Strong Demand for Solar and Wind Energy in Low-Income Communities During the initial 30-day application window, the program received more than 46,000 applications for new energy facilities located in low-income communities, on Indian land, as part of affordable housing, or directly benefitting low-income households.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet No new figures are provided this week.
GENERAL
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Links for American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP ESSER) state and local educational agency (LEA)/school district plans
- Reminder of December 31 deadline for states to publish applicable LEA high-poverty school data for FY 2023 on the state education agency (SEA) website (see November 27 Newsflash, below, for more information)
- November 20 and November 27 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
Administration Announces Partnership to Distribute Free COVID-19 Tests to Schools School districts are being encouraged to order tests directly from the federal government to be made available to students, parents, staff, and school communities.
HEALTH
CDC Revamps Dashboard for National Wastewater Surveillance System The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its wastewater COVID reporting to make it easier to track local and national trends.
CMS Releases New Toolkit for Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Renewals The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a toolkit to help clinicians and other health care professionals share information about renewals with patients.
CMS Publishes Interim Final Rule on Enforcement of State Compliance with Reporting and Medicaid Renewals The interim final rule with comment period implements changes in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. CMS will use these new enforcement authorities if states fail to comply with the new reporting requirements or with federal Medicaid eligibility redetermination requirements. The regulations are effective December 6 and comments must be received by February 2, 2024.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Institute of Museum and Library Services Proposes Evaluation of Grant Programs Funded by ARP and the CARES Act Comments close December 31.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Reminds States of Statute of Limitations for COVID-Related Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fraud Cases
DOL Office of Inspector General Initiates Audit of Oversight of ARP UI Equity Grants The audit will look at the administration of the grant program as well as grantee performance.
TREASURY
Treasury Updates SLFRF Compliance and Reporting Guidance Per the revision log, the update provides additional guidance on performance indicators for Tier 1 recipients of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF).
Treasury Updates SSBCI FAQs A new FAQ addresses how participating jurisdictions can continue to run their State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs in advance of a subsequent disbursement.
Treasury Updates SSBCI Capital Program Policy Guidelines According to the revision log, the “exclusion of certain features” section was revised and reorganized. That section is now titled “limitation of certain features.” The provision governing prepayment fees was revised, as was the “disclosure of terms” section.
Treasury Schedules SSBCI Virtual Sessions Two sessions will allow participating jurisdictions to provide feedback and receive updates on the SSBCI. A Communications Session will be held December 13, 3:00 p.m. ET. An Update for All Participating Jurisdictions will be held January 31, 2024, 3:30 p.m. ET.
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Ways and Means Committee Approves Foster Care Legislation The committee approved the Find and Protect Missing Foster Youth Act (H.R. 2426), which requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct an evaluation of the protocols established by states to determine the location of missing foster youth and identify best practices. The Recruiting Families Using Data Act (H.R. 3058) requires states to develop and implement a family partnership plan that describes how they will identify, recruit, screen, support, and retain foster and adoptive families. It also requires states to collect and report data on foster family capacity and congregate care utilization.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Economic Research Service Publishes 2023 Farm Sector Income Forecast Farm sector income is forecast to fall in calendar year 2023 after reaching record highs in 2022. Data files with national and state-level farm income and wealth statistics are available here.
EDUCATION
ED, HHS Release Policy Statement to Support Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs The policy statement reiterates expectations for inclusive early childhood settings and updates recommendations for state and local agencies that implement Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs, Head Start, childcare, home visiting, preschool, and public schools to increase inclusive early learning opportunities for all children.
Office of Special Education Programs Releases Updated Early Childhood Transition Q&A Document The document incorporates longstanding policy and provides further clarification on the transition from IDEA Part C early intervention services to IDEA Part B preschool services.
ED Announces $74 Million to Expand Full-Service Community Schools New five-year grants will support an additional 30 LEAs, nonprofits, and other public or private organizations and institutions of higher education. A list of recipients is provided in the press release.
Administration Prepares for Third Student Debt Relief Negotiation Session New proposed regulatory text provides more information around separate types of debt relief. A copy of the proposed regulatory text is here.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Proposes Revisions to Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) The proposed rule would require water systems to replace lead service lines within 10 years, remove the lead trigger level, reduce the lead action level, and strengthen tap sampling procedures, among other changes. Comments are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will host an informational webinar December 6, 2:00 p.m. ET (register) and a virtual public hearing to hear verbal comments January 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET (register). Additional information is here.
EPA Issues Final Rule to Reduce Methane and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Sources The rule also includes Emissions Guidelines, which set procedures for states to follow as they develop plans to limit methane from existing sources. Comments are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will host a briefing on the rule December 6, 1:00 p.m. ET (join). Additional information is here.
EPA, USDA, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Release Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics Comments on the draft strategy will be accepted for 30 days at Regulations.gov, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0415, starting December 5.
HEALTH
HRSA Releases Updated Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Data The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) posted the 2022 client-level data report, with state tables. The administration also released a fact sheet outlining its efforts to end HIV/AIDS.
CMS Releases Initial Guidance on Mandatory Medicaid and CHIP Core Set Reporting Final Rule CMS provided guidance and outlined expectations for submission of states’ quality measure data beginning with FY 2024 reporting.
CMS Posts August Medicaid, CHIP Enrollment Data
SAMHSA Seeks Comment on New 988 Monitoring Program The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is requesting emergency approval for new information collection activities for monitoring its 988 Cooperative Agreements. Comments are due within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register.
HUMAN SERVICES
HHS Releases Update on Project Linking Data Between Child Welfare and Medicaid The District of Columbia, Iowa, Oregon, and Wyoming are participating in the initiative to develop integrated data systems with linked child welfare and Medicaid data that can advance the care coordination and oversight of Title IV-E prevention services and congregate care services.
HHS and ED Release Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs The statement updates recommendations for state and local agencies that implement IDEA programs, Head Start, child care, home visiting, preschool, and public schools to increase inclusive early learning opportunities for all children.
ACF Publishes Final FY 2022 Reallotment of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Funds The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) reallotted $17 million to FY 2023 grants. The release includes a table of grant recipients that returned funds.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Host Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Turndown Webinar Series The webinars will help unsuccessful AFG applicants identify potential scoring deficiencies by comparing them to the programmatic priorities outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The events will be held between December 5 and December 19.
FEMA Releases Roadmap to Procurement Compliance The roadmap is designed to introduce FEMA award recipients and subrecipients to the methods of procurement outlined at 2 C.F.R. § 200.320 and to provide a checklist that recipients and subrecipients may use to ensure compliance as they conduct purchases under a FEMA award.
HOUSING
HUD Proposes “30-Day Notice” Rule for Nonpayment of Rent The proposed rule would provide residents of public housing or properties receiving project-based rental assistance 30-days’ notice to cure lease violations for nonpayment of rent. Comments close January 30, 2024.
INTERIOR
Reclamation Awards $2.2 Million for Desalination and Water Purification Research Awards were provided to eight recipients, which include municipalities, institutions of higher education, and private entities.
LABOR
NUTRITION
USDA, EPA, FDA Seek Comment on Draft National Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste School nutrition programs are important in a number of the strategy’s proposed actions. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication, scheduled for December 5.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Posts Memos on Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule Provisions
- State Agency Discretion with Regard to Fiscal Action for Repeat Meal Pattern Violations
- Administrative and Food Service Management Company Review Cycles
The rule was published on August 23, with a correction published September 18.
FNS Posts Memo on $943 Million in Additional FY 2024 Support for TEFAP The funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will be provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation. To receive the first phase of funding, state agencies must return a signed agreement by December 8.
FNS Publishes Study of State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Corrective Action Plan Implementation
FNS, Food Research and Action Center Award $1.1 Million in Equitable Access in Child Nutrition Programs Grants The grants are going to Johns Hopkins University (Maryland), Indiana University, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Texas), and nonprofits in Minnesota and Kentucky.
TREASURY
Treasury Issues Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act Treasury will make approximately $40.9 million in payments for successful outcomes of social impact partnership projects through grants to state and local governments. Applications must be submitted between February 12 and April 15, 2024.