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 or updated allocations are provided for:
- Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach (FY 2022-2023 awards)
- State battery collection, recycling, and reprocessing programs (first round of awards)
- Pilot Program for Transit-oriented Development Planning (FY 2023 awards)
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Issues Notice of Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) Data Collection Information submitted by grantees will be used to track the type of waivers implemented. Comments close May 6.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Updates State and Local Solution Center Webinar Schedule Topics include EV charging infrastructure, weatherization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and more.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Updates Clean School Bus Rebate Program FY 2023 Q&As New information is identified by a date of 4/2/2024.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Awards $17.6 Million to 20 Communities Through the FY 2023 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning Recipients will develop local plans to encourage ridership by developing housing and businesses near transit corridors. A list of awards is here.
FTA Publishes Full-Year Apportionments for FY 2024 Totaling $20.5 Billion Program-specific information is here and total funding by state for selected (mostly formula) programs is here. Apportionments for FY 2024 reflect changes from the 2020 Census, including new urbanized area boundaries.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Awards Contract for up to $27 Million to Establish and Administer the Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI) The RCI will provide technical assistance under the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program.
DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG) Issues Recommendations for Improving the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) Oversight of Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs The report focuses on IIJA-funded projects.
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) Launches Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Playbook It features interactive resources to assist with the planning and building of infrastructure that supports the transition to zero-emission transportation.
FTA Seeks Comment on Proposed Circular for Implementing Rural Area Formula Grants Programs and Rural Component of Buses and Bus Facilities Program The proposed circular, which reflects changes in law, is available here; comments will be accepted through June 3.
FTA Proposes Revisions to Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Policy Guidance, Seeks Comment The guidance is available here; comments are due June 4.
FHWA Makes $5 Million Available for Development and Deployment of Innovative Technologies for Concrete Pavements FHWA will issue a cost reimbursement cooperative agreement. Applications are due May 20.
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; each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. No new or updated allocations are provided this week.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces FY 2024 Funding Availabilities of $1.5 Billion for Regional Conservation Partnership Program Applications for both Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangements projects are due July 2. Funding comes from the IRA ($1.2 billion) and the 2018 Farm Bill ($300 million).
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Selects Eight Organizations to Receive $20 Billion Through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund EPA selected awards under two competitions:
- National Clean Investment Fund ($13.9 billion; funded through appropriations for general assistance and low-income and disadvantaged communities): Awards were provided to three nonprofit organizations that will establish national clean financing institutions to deliver accessible, affordable financing for clean technology projects nationwide. EPA will host an informational webinar on selections April 10, 1:00 p.m. ET (link to join is here).
- Clean Communities Investment Accelerator ($6 billion; funded through appropriations for low-income and disadvantaged communities): Awards were provided to five nonprofit organizations that will establish hubs to provide funding and technical assistance to community lenders working in low-income and disadvantaged communities. EPA will host an informational webinar on selections April 11, 1:00 p.m. ET (link to join is here).
Additional information on the $7 billion Solar for All competition will be announced later this spring.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Makes $320 Million Available for Tribal Domestic Water Supply Projects The funds—which are available to tribes in 17 western states—are from $550 million provided in the IRA. The Request for Proposals is here; applications are due August 4.
Department of the Interior (DOI) Invests $19 Million to Install Solar Panels over Irrigation Canals in California, Oregon, and Utah The IRA appropriated $25 million for these activities. This round of awards is in addition to $5.65 million announced in December 2023 for the Gila River Indian Community.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Invests $4.8 Million to Improve Drought Resilience and Water Availability in the Western States The funding will support agreements between BLM and its (mostly federal) partners. The announcement does not specify which IRA appropriations the funds are derived from.
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Issue Guidance on Tax Treatment of Rebates for Energy Efficient Property and Improvements Generally, taxpayers who receive rebates for the purchase of energy efficient homes will not include the value of those rebates as income on their tax returns. However, they will need to reduce the basis of the property by the amount of the rebate when they sell it. The guidance is here.
CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT (CHIPS)
Download FFIS’s CHIPS Act Spreadsheet Updated weekly, the spreadsheet provides information on CHIPS-related NOFOs and awards that may be of interest to states. New or updated awards are provided for:
- Manufacturing Incentives (TSMC Arizona)
CHIPS Program Decides Not to Issue Planned NOFO for Construction, Modernization, or Expansion of Semiconductor Research and Development (R&D) Facilities Other CHIPS R&D initiatives will continue.
Department of Commerce (DOC) Announces Preliminary Agreement to Provide $6.6 Billion for Construction of Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities in Arizona
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet Updated allocations are provided for:
- Pandemic-Related Unemployment Compensation
GENERAL
PRAC Releases Report Examining Pandemic Relief Funding in Six Communities The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) report highlights the experiences of six communities that received a combined $2.65 billion in pandemic relief funding between March 2020 and September 2021. The communities included are Springfield, Massachusetts; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Sheridan County, Nebraska; Marion County, Georgia; White Earth Nation Reservation in Minnesota; and Jicarilla Apache Nation Reservation in New Mexico.
EDUCATION
ED Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Reminder that the Annual Performance Report Year 4 submission period for Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) runs from April 15 – May 2
- Office of State and Grantee Relations (OGR) letter regarding Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) sub-award reporting accuracy and completion for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER), GEER, and Emergency Assistance to Non-public Schools (EANS)
- Year 3 EANS Business Rules Guide spreadsheet (available here)
- American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER maintenance of equity state submissions
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) OIG Publishes Review of Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Relief The report includes an examination of the impact of that relief on six communities, in Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
TREASURY
Treasury Accepting Applications for Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP) Through the SBOP, eligible states, territories, and tribal governments can compete for a share of $75 million from the ARP to provide technical assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Application materials are available here; applications are due June 3.
Treasury Releases Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Subrecipient Monitoring and Management Resources for Tribal Entities
OTHER NEWS
GENERAL
OMB Updates Uniform Grant Guidance The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) updated its guidance, which sets foundational requirements for federal agencies in making grants and providing other assistance, such as cooperative agreements and loans. The revisions focus on promoting equitable access to programs/services, reducing administrative burdens, and streamlining oversight and implementation of programs. For example, the guidance eliminates several prior-approval requirements and increases multiple thresholds that trigger additional requirements. A detailed summary is available here. OMB also released an implementation memorandum for federal agencies. The revisions are effective October 1, 2024, although federal agencies may elect to apply them to awards issued prior to this date.
AGRICULTURE
USDA To Hold Webinar on ReConnect Program Environmental Requirements The webinar will take place April 11, 1:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link above.
EDUCATION
Administration Announces New Plans to Deliver Student Debt Relief The proposals would permit the following types of waivers:
- Waiving accrued and capitalized interest for millions of borrowers
- Automatically discharging debt for borrowers eligible for various forgiveness programs but not enrolled
- Eliminating student debt for borrowers in repayment for 20 years or more
- Helping borrowers who enrolled in low-financial-value programs or institutions
- Assisting borrowers who experience hardship in paying back their loans
The press release includes state figures for borrowers who have been provided relief by previously announced actions.
ED Issues Good Jobs Principles for Education The principles outline working conditions that will help attract and retain a high-quality education workforce. ED and DOL are also announcing new funding and resources to support the expansion of high-quality and affordable pathways into careers in education, addressing a key factor driving educator shortages.
ED Issues Technical Assistance Circular on Use of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Funds for Initial Stocks and Supplies and Operating Expenses for Vendors Under Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facilities Program
ENERGY
- In-Depth Partnerships: Will support 2-4 communities in developing tailored, actionable decarbonization strategies. Applications are due June 14. DOE will host a webinar April 18, 1:00 p.m. ET (register).
- Peer Learning Cohorts: Ten to fifteen communities will convene regularly to exchange strategies and best practices on residential building efficiency, municipal fleet electrification, and agrivoltaics. Applications are due April 30. DOE will host a webinar April 10, 1:00 p.m. ET (register).
DOE Releases Blueprint for Decarbonizing the Building Sector
DOE Awards $27 Million in Financial and Technical Assistance to 40 Partner Teams Through Energy Future Grants Recipients will advance clean energy programs to enhance energy affordability, access, and opportunities for communities.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Posts Comprehensive Document of FY 2024 Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Allotments The document details allotments and required set-asides for funds provided by FY 2024 annual appropriations. It also lists IIJA funding allotments (except for Drinking Water SRF funds for lead service line replacement, for which data analysis is ongoing), which were announced earlier this year.
EPA Launches Website to Improve Permitting Transparency The website highlights permitting and environmental review programs, shares information on related statutes and environmental justice initiatives, and displays the status of EPA permits for large-scale infrastructure projects covered by Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41).
HEALTH
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Releases Medicaid School-Based Services (SBS) Technical Assistance Center FAQs The Technical Assistance Center is available to support states in operationalizing Medicaid SBS. Additional questions will be added over time.
CMS Releases 2025 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Final Rule The final rule includes a number of new policies, including some that affect Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program (BHP). It provides states with the option of adding routine adult dental services as an essential health benefit, provides state flexibility on the effective date of coverage in the BHP, and finalizes the reinterpretation of state agency use of the Federal Data Services Hub to access and use income data. A fact sheet is available here.
CMS Finalizes Payment Updates for 2025 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Programs CMS notes that provisions of particular interest to states in the final rule are under the following sections:
- Increasing the percentage of dually eligible managed care enrollees who receive Medicare and Medicaid services from the same organizations
- Contracting standards for dual eligible special needs plan look-alikes
- Expanding permissible data use and disclosure
- Limiting out-of-network cost sharing
- Updates to the multi-language insert regulations
HRSA Opens Registration for 2024 Healthy Grants Workshop The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) webinar series runs monthly from May to August 2024. It includes topics such as grant administration, budgeting, and allowable costs. Register here.
HRSA Announces Additional Opportunities for Loan Repayment for Primary Care Providers HRSA has increased the initial loan repayment amount for those practicing in areas with significant shortages of providers. It is also offering an additional $5,000 in loan repayment for participants who can demonstrate fluency in Spanish and who commit to practice in a high-need area serving patients with limited English proficiency.
HHS Releases White Paper on Preventing Drug Shortages The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlined actions taken to prevent and mitigate drug shortages and proposed additional solutions for policymakers.
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Releases Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Model Plan Application The model plan application for FY 2025 funding is due September 3. ACF also provides details on the changes.
ACF Posts Resources for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Recipients The resources include toolkits, events, and webinars.
ACF Reminds State Child Support Agencies of Upcoming Deadline for Annual Certification The certification statement of compliance with security and privacy requirements is due April 30.
ACF Releases Report on Federally Funded Approaches to Diaper Distribution The brief is the first in a series of evaluations that will document the Diaper Distribution Pilot, launched in 2022.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Release Joint Guide on Transitioning to .gov Domain The guide urges election offices to adopt a .gov domain to help them and other state, local, tribal, and territorial governments mitigate impersonation and cybersecurity risks.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards $83 Million to Boost Local Affordable Housing and Community Development The funding, awarded through HUD’s Capacity Building for Affordable Housing and Community Development program, also known as Section 4, will be used by three national organizations to serve Native Hawaiian, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities and populations.
HUD Awards $13.5 Million in Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) Grants Non-profit housing providers in Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, and Washington will use the grants to construct or rehabilitate 445 homes using contributed labor from homebuyers and volunteers.
HUD Awards $30.4 Million in Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Funds The grants support efforts of national, state, and local fair housing entities to address violations of the Fair Housing Act and to end discrimination in housing. A state breakdown of awardees is available here.
HUD Issues Final Rule Expanding the Fair Housing Testing Pool for FHIP and FHAP The rule eliminates restrictions for FHIP grantees and Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agencies that currently bar FHIP- and FHAP-funded entities from using HUD funds for fair housing testers with prior felony convictions or convictions of crimes involving fraud or perjury. It becomes effective May 3.
INTERIOR
DOI Awards $353 Million to Gulf States and Counties Through Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) DOI disbursed funds from energy revenues to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and counties and parishes in these states.
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Issues Rule to Make it Easier for Citizens to Report Coal Mining Operations Issues Changes relevant to states include:
- Removing language requiring a citizen to first contact a state regulatory authority prior to contacting OSMRE to report a possible violation
- Requiring a state regulatory authority to respond to a 10-day notice (issued to states after OSMRE finds that a violation may exist) with actions to fix the violation, instead of submitting a plan to fix the violation
The rule is effective May 9.
JUSTICE
Department of Justice Publishes New Regulations on State and Local Digital Accessibility The final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. Governments with populations of at least 50,000 must comply with the rule within two years of its publication in the Federal Register.
LABOR
DOL Awards $10.5 Million in Equitable Transition Model Demonstration Grants The awards—funds for the first year of four, five-year cooperative agreements—are going to state agencies in Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, and New York to support the development of strategies to assist youth and young adults with disabilities in successfully transitioning into the workforce.
NUTRITION
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collections for Studies
- Evaluation of Interview Requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Certification
- Assessment of Administrative Costs of Electronic Healthy Incentives Projects (eHIP) in SNAP
- Activities Associated with SNAP Demonstration Projects and the SNAP State Options Report
- Understanding Risk Assessment in SNAP Payment Accuracy
Comments close June 3 for the first two notices, June 8 for the third, and May 9 for the fourth.
FNS Finalizes Updates to WIC-Provided Foods The final rule for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages is designed to align them with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to reflect recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. FNS also provides resources explaining the revisions, including Q&As, an infographic, and a video, as well as a chart of maximum monthly allowances in the food packages.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Issues Final Rule on Minimum Safety Requirements for the Size of Train Crews It is effective June 10.