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:
- National Coastal Resilience Fund
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Posts Takeaways from Power of Partnerships Webinar The Renew America’s Schools Program hosted the webinar to highlight how K-12 schools can partner with different types of stakeholders to bring energy improvement projects to fruition.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Awards Brownfields Job Training Grants Fourteen organizations will receive approximately $7 million to help recruit, train, and place workers for community revitalization and cleanup projects at brownfield sites. A list of recipients is included in the press release.
EPA Announces Availability of $30 Million for Projects in Underserved Communities that Promote a Healthy and Resilient Gulf of Mexico Selected projects must be located in underserved communities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The application period closes April 4, 2024, and awards are anticipated to be made in November 2024.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Wireline Competition Bureau Posts Guidance for Service Providers Regarding Engagement with States The document provides guidance regarding eligibility determinations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Awards $110 Million Under Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program The grants were provided for 19 wildlife crossing projects in 17 states. This is the first round of funding from the five-year pilot program created by the IIJA. A list of awards is available here.
Federal Railroad Administration Announces $8.2 Billion for High-Speed Rail and Pipeline of Projects The announcement includes 10 projects in nine states ready for construction under the Federal State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail and 69 corridors across 44 states identified for future development under the Corridor Identification and Development Program. To view a full list of selections, click here and here.
FHWA Notice Provides Distribution of Federal-Aid Highway Program Obligation Limitation The notice reflects the distribution for FY 2024 under the continuing resolution (CR), which runs through January 19, 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.
ENERGY
DOE Releases Home Efficiency Rebates Resources The materials will help state and territorial energy offices apply for and implement their programs.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA to Host Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Webinars The webinars are for eligible applicants and others interested in the implementation grant competition.
- December 12, 2:00 p.m. ET: Notice of Funding Opportunity Revisions, FAQs, and Budgeting (register here)
- December 18, 4:00 p.m. ET: Documentation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Assumptions (register here)
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New figures are provided this week for:
- Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits
- FEMA Public Assistance
- FEMA Funeral Assistance
GENERAL
GSA Study Will Examine Impact of American Rescue Plan (ARP) The objective of the General Services Administration (GSA) project is to provide a systematic look at the contributions of selected ARP-funded programs toward achieving equitable outcomes to inform program design and delivery across the federal government. Comments close February 6, 2024.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Year 4 (FY 2023) Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund recipient reporting data collection form
- Summary of key differences between GEER FY 2023 reporting and FY 2022 reporting
- Year 4 Education Stabilization Fund-State Educational Agency Outlying Area (ESF I-SEA/ ESF II-SEA/ARP-OA SEA Funds) recipient data collection form
- Summary of key differences between ESF-SEA FY 2023 reporting and ESF-SEA FY 2022 reporting
- Links to ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP ESSER) SEA and local educational agency (LEA) plans and materials
- December 4 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
HEALTH
CMS Posts Slides from Webinar on Interim Final Rule on Enforcement of State Compliance with Reporting and Medicaid Renewals The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) webinar outlined data reporting requirements, the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) reduction for reporting requirements, corrective action plans, suspension of procedural disenrollments, civil money penalties, mitigating circumstances, and appeals. The Interim Final Rule with Comment Period is available here.
CMS Releases Guidance, Data on Medicaid Home- and Community-based Services (HCBS) CMS released guidance outlining how states can develop and maintain direct support worker registries and data on how ARP enhanced funding for HCBS has been invested by states.
TREASURY
Treasury Approves Capital Projects Fund (CRF) Award for District of Columbia
Treasury Approves $86 Million for 24 Tribal Governments Under State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
Treasury Posts Updated List of Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities Participating in Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
Comment Period for SLFRF Obligation Interim Final Rule Ends December 20 The rule addresses recipients’ questions regarding the definition of “obligation” under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and provides guidance and clarifications.
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Passes FAA Funding Extension The bill (H.R. 6503) would extend the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) funding authority, including for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), through March 8, 2024. FAA programs and authorities are currently set to expire December 31. The bill now heads to the Senate.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Advances Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Bill The bipartisan legislation (H.R. 6494) reauthorizes the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) pipeline safety programs for the next four years. The legislation is now pending action on the House floor.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Joins Decentralized Wastewater Management Memorandum of Understanding Working with EPA and other stakeholders, USDA’s Rural Development office will work with state and local partners to increase the availability of funding and technical assistance for rural communities.
Rural Housing Service Announces Pilot Testing Alternative Eligibility Criteria for Community Land Trust Organizations’ Community Representation in Single Family Housing Section 502 Direct Home Loan Program The pilot began December 8 and will continue for two years.
USDA Awards $80 Million to Improve Infrastructure, Housing, Economic Conditions for Underserved Rural and Native American Communities The grants are through the following programs: Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks for Colonias, Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands, Delta Health Care Grants, Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants, Housing Preservation Grants, Rural and Native Alaskan Village Grants, Tribal College Initiative Grants, and Appalachian Regional Commission Grants. A full list of the more than 200 projects is here.
EDUCATION
ED Announces $277 Million in Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Grants Awards were made to 45 grantees to advance educational innovation and research, and to develop new solutions to address persistent educational opportunity gaps for students who have been historically underserved. A list of grantees by state is in the press release.
ED Awards Grants Under Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI) Program, Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program Awards totaling $93 million were made to 20 colleges and universities to support research and development at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and to improve completion rates for underserved students. The grantees are listed in the press release.
Administration Approves $4.8 Billion in Additional Student Debt Relief The discharges stem from fixes to income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). State estimates of the number of borrowers and outstanding balances affected are in the press release.
GENERAL
Census Bureau Releases American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for 2018-2022 Among other data, the survey includes state breakdowns for language, education, commuting, employment, mortgage status and rent, as well as income, poverty, and health insurance.
Census Bureau to Reinstate Geographically Updated Population Certification Program This fee-based program allows tribal, state, and local governments to obtain certified population and housing counts for areas where boundaries have changed from those used to tabulate the results of the immediately preceding decennial census. The program had been suspended to accommodate the 2020 Census.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Releases Revised Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes
Grants Awarded to Improve Environment of Long Island Sound EPA, federal and state officials from New England and New York, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Fish and Wildlife Service announced 39 grants totaling $12 million. The grants will be matched by $8 million from the grantees, resulting in $20 million for projects in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. A list of grantees is here.
HEALTH
Federal Agencies Release Joint Letter on Expanding Access to Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a joint letter calling on public health departments and health care systems to partner with housing providers, community development organizations, and other housing agencies to help expand access to naloxone and other life-saving overdose reversal medications in the communities they serve.
HHS Outlines Next Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity for Health Care and Public Health Sectors HHS released a concept paper that details four pillars for action, including publishing new voluntary health care-specific cybersecurity performance goals, working with Congress to develop supports and incentives for domestic hospitals to improve cybersecurity, and increasing accountability and coordination within the health care sector.
Administration Announces New Actions to Lower Health Care and Prescription Drug Costs The actions focus on price gouging and special interests.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Announces New Nationwide Health Data Exchange Now Operational The Trusted Exchange Framework for Common Agreement (TEFCA) will result in increased access to records for patients and more secure exchange of electronic health information.
CMS Releases Second Set of Health Equity Briefs CMS is continuing to release data briefs describing the composition of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to reflect its prioritization of data to identify disparities in access, quality of care, and health outcomes. It recently released briefs about Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Services, the Section 1915(c) Waiver Program, and Well-Child Visits.
CDC Releases School Mental Health Action Guide The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guide will help school and district leaders support youth mental health.
HRSA Seeks Comment on Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Biannual Survey The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is now providing funding directly to states and territories to support AIM implementation. The new survey will enable HRSA to understand and report on program reach, inform development of resources and types of technical assistance offered, and establish program targets. Comments are due February 5, 2024.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Notifies States of FY 2024 Child Support Incentive Payment Pool Amount The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced that $713 million is available for incentives, which are based on child support collections and state performance levels.
HOMELAND SECURITY
National Preparedness Report Highlights Cyber Security, Building Codes, and Individual Preparedness The 12th annual National Preparedness Report provides an overview of the nation’s current disaster risk and capability landscape, and outlines progress toward achieving the national preparedness goal of a secure and resilient country.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Host Webinar on Non-FEMA Disaster Resources The webinar will be held December 13, 2:00 p.m. ET and will highlight resources, tools, and examples of disaster resources to support people before, during, and after disasters. It will also provide contact information and ways to stay connected. Register here.
HOUSING
HUD Extends Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Final Rule Compliance Date The compliance date for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), HOME-ARP program, Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Emergency Solution Grants (ESG), Continuum of Care (CoC) programs, and Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs funded through competitive processes is extended until January 1, 2025.
HUD Issues Notice on Tribal Implementation of HOTMA HUD is granting Indian tribes up to an additional year to comply with the new Part 5 definition of “annual income” under the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program.
HUD Issues Notice on Implementation of Small Rural Assessments of Public Housing and Publication of Initial List of Small Rural Public Housing Agencies (PHAs)
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Launches Partnerships with State Attorneys General (AGs) on Privacy, Data Protection, and Cybersecurity Enforcement The agency’s Enforcement Bureau signed memoranda of understanding with the AGs from Connecticut, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania, and invites others to sign similar agreements.
JUSTICE
Department of Justice (DOJ) Releases Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap The document will assist local jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies to prevent, intervene in, and respond to acts of community gun violence.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Posts Checklist of Currently Active/Rescinded/Cancelled Employment and Training Administration Advisories
DOL Posts Memo Regarding Requirement that Employers Seeking to Hire Foreign H-2B Workers Recruit U.S. Workers Through an American Jobs Center
DOL Office of the Inspector General Finds Department’s Information Security Practices Not Effective
NUTRITION
Sixteen States, Two Territories, and Tribes Notify Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of Plans to Implement Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Jurisdictions planning to offer the benefit in summer 2024 must submit their notice of intent and statement attesting to the availability of non-federal funds for the 50% match by January 1, 2024. FNS posted eligibility and certification flowcharts and implementation timelines here, as well as an outreach toolkit and an implementation toolkit.
TRANSPORTATION
NHTSA Releases Latest Edition of Countermeasures That Work The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report will assist state and local governments in implementing programs to address risky driving behaviors.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Seeks Comment on Information Collections
- For Program Evaluation for Processes and Outcomes The collection targets state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations, transit authorities, other state and local government units, and tribes. Comments will be accepted through February 5, 2024.
- For Public Transportation Safety Program The collection will target transit agencies, state safety oversight agencies, and states. Comments will be accepted through January 10, 2024.