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:
- Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: lead service line replacement (FY 2024 actuals; updated estimates for FYs 2025-2026)
- Affordable Connectivity Program Household Support
COMMERCE
Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OICG) Releases 2023 Annual Report The report summarizes work accomplished by OICG in 2023 as it administers IIJA and COVID-19 funds.
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.
DOE Makes $500 Million Available for Future Growth Grants Through Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program The grants will assist in expanding the capacity of carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure based on projected increases in demand for such projects. Applications are due July 30.
DOE Announces $26.9 Million Round of Formula Awards Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program
DOE Selects 19 Projects to Receive up to $78 Million Through Second Round of Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program This round of funding is targeted to small projects requiring $500,000 to $5 million in federal funding. A list of projects is here.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces FY 2024 Allotments for Lead Service Line Replacement Under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) The figures reflect updated data on state needs from the 7th Drinking Water infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. Allotments to states and territories total $2.865 billion.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Updates Events Webpage Offerings include overviews and trainings on grant programs; Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements; emergency planning; and more.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Sends Final Update to Congress on End of Affordable Connectivity Program The letter includes data on the program’s impact, including lists of the states with the highest participation rates, percentage of rural enrollments, and tribal enrollments.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Seeks Comment on Proposed Revision to Information Collection for Regulatory Improvement Grants (RIGs) Under the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration Program The revision also addresses information collected from tribes that request DOI to carry out program activities on their behalf. Comments are due July 1.
DOI Awards $21 Million for Environmental Projects in the Colorado River Basin The projects focus on fish recovery and habitat restoration.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Awards $785,000 for Four Projects to Address Early Detection and Rapid Response for Aquatic Invasive Species
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Amend FY 2025 Implementing Procedures for State Highway Safety Grant Program (HSIP) The rule waives the requirement that targets for common performance measures be identical to targets in the HSIP. It became effective on May 6.
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. New allocations are provided for:
- Bureau of Reclamation Domestic Water Supply Projects (WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Grants)
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces 28 Organizations Selected to Host Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) Members In addition to nonprofits and universities, selectees include state agriculture agencies in Colorado and Michigan. Part of the broader American Climate Corps, the WLCC will train young people in climate-smart agriculture.
HEALTH
HHS Report Examines Medicare Part D Enrollee Vaccine Use After IRA Elimination of Cost Sharing The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report finds that in 2023, 10.3 million Medicare Part D enrollees received a recommended vaccine free of charge, which saved enrollees more than $400 million in out-of-pocket costs.
CMS Releases Draft Guidance on Medicare Drug Negotiation Program The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks comment on the second cycle of negotiations. This round will occur during 2025, and any negotiated prices will be effective January 1, 2027. A fact sheet is available here.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Awards $11 Million in WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Grants The 34 awards, which include funds from the IRA, IIJA, and annual appropriations, will support projects to improve water sustainability and efficiency in 11 states and Guam.
DOI Makes $71 Million Available to Tribes Through the Tribal Electrification Program Application guidance is here; applications are due June 30.
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Release Final Rules on Clean Vehicle Provisions of IRA The regulations provide definitions and rules regarding taxpayer and vehicle eligibility for the credit for new clean vehicles and the previously owned clean vehicle credit. They also address the critical minerals and battery components requirements and Foreign Entity of Concern (or “excluded entity”) restriction that were added by the IRA. They are effective July 5.
Treasury, IRS Release Guidance on IRA’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit
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. Each week’s changes are highlighted in yellow. No awards were added this week.
Department of Commerce (DOC) Announces CHIPS Women in Construction Framework, Commitments from Intel, Micron The framework consists of five best practices to increase the participation of women in the construction workforce.
CHIPS Office Issues NOFO for Manufacturing USA Institute Focused on Digital Twins A briefing will be held on details of the NOFO May 8, 4:00 p.m. ET (register), and a hybrid Proposers Day will be held online and in Rockville, Maryland on May 16 (details and registration to come). The program page has additional information and resources such as a fact sheet and FAQs. Concept papers are due June 20.
Review Period Extended for National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program Funding Opportunity Concept papers were due April 12, and review of submitted papers and feedback to applicants is now expected to be completed on or about May 21.
DOC Posts Second NOFO from Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund to Promote Wireless Equipment Innovation Up to $420 million will be made available to support innovation in and commercialization of open radio units, which transmit and receive signals at the top of cell phone towers. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, companies, and partnerships. Applications are due July 10.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet No updated allocations are provided this week.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Newsflash for April 15, April 22, and April 29, with recent announcements, upcoming deadlines, and other resources.
OTHER NEWS
GENERAL
Administration Releases National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
Treasury Releases Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports
New Census Product Tracks Income Mobility and Volatility by State An interactive visualization is available here.
AGRICULTURE
USDA to Hold ReConnect Round 5 Ask Me Anything Webinar It will take place May 8, 1:00 p.m. ET (register).
EDUCATION
ED Completes Processing for FAFSA Forms Affected by Known IRS Issues, Outlines Push to Expand Application Submissions Reprocessing the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms that were affected by known issues with IRS data should enable all institutions to package financial aid offers.
ED Launches Next Phase of FAFSA Support Strategy The FAFSA Student Support Strategy will provide up to $50 million for grantees to support organizations with demonstrated experience expanding college access and enrollment. The funding will be prioritized for organizations currently working with schools and districts, and those that have the reach and capacity to help reduce barriers and increase FAFSA submissions.
Secretary Sends Dear Colleague Letter Addressing Antisemitism on Campus
ENERGY
DOE Issues Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Creation of Blue-Sky Training Program for Grid Scale Energy Storage Systems (ESS) The purpose of the program is to educate and train first responders, law enforcement agencies, local communities, utilities, and others on how to respond to unanticipated ESS failures, including those caused by cyber threats, physical threats, and other unanticipated operational failures. Comments on DOE’s plan for administering the program are due June 3.
ENVIRONMENT
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Finalizes Phase 2 Revisions to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Regulations The rule incorporates provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Among other actions, it sets deadlines for agencies to complete environmental reviews, requires a lead agency, sets guidelines for lead and cooperating agencies, works to unify the federal review process, promotes early public engagement, and creates new ways for agencies to establish categorical exclusions. It is effective July 1.
EPA Issues Final Rule to Add Requirements for States Establishing Water Quality Standards in Waters Where Tribes Have Rights to Protected Aquatic and Aquatic-Dependent Resources It is effective June 3.
EPA Finalizes Ban on Most Uses of Methylene Chloride The rule is effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Additional information is here.
EPA Updates Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems It is effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will host a webinar May 21, 2:30 p.m. ET (registration available here).
EPA Opens Non-Regulatory Docket and Schedules Public Forum to Gather Input on Approaches to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Power Plants The docket and additional information can be accessed at the link above. The public forum will be held May 17, 10:00 a.m. ET (register).
HEALTH
SAMHSA Posts FY 2024 State Opioid Response Funding Opportunity The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is providing $1.48 billion to states and territories. Funds will be available for three years instead of two. The announcement includes FY 2024 state allocations.
CMS Finalizes Policies to Increase Access to Health Coverage for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients The final rule expands access to health care for DACA recipients in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace or for coverage through a Basic Health Program (BHP). A fact sheet is available here.
CMS Releases January 2024 Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Enrollment Data
CDC Hosted Call with State Public Health Departments Regarding Avian Influenza The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked that jurisdictions make personal protective equipment (PPE) available to farmworkers. The agency also informed states on how to request additional PPE from the strategic national stockpile.
HHS Publishes Grants Regulation The final rule reaffirms nondiscrimination in HHS-funded programs and services. A fact sheet is available here.
HHS Publishes Final Rule to Protect Civil Rights of Individuals with Disabilities The final rule prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. A summary is available here and a fact sheet here.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Releases Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Application and Plan Requirements for FY 2025 The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) memorandum also provides details on upcoming webinars to assist with the submission.
ACF Posts Tips for How States Can Use the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Data Snapshots The NYTD data snapshots provide an overview of state and national data related to young people’s outcomes and independent living services.
ACF Provides Update on Section 1115 Child Support Enforcement Waivers The memorandum provides examples of activities that may be approved for waiver funding, matching requirements, and application details.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Extends Comment Period on Proposed Regulations for Cyber Incident and Ransom Payment Reporting Requirements Comments will now be accepted through July 3.
DHS Releases Report Entitled Mitigating Artificial Intelligence Risk: Safety and Security Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators
FEMA Posts FY 2024 Preparedness Grants Manual It serves as a guide for managing FEMA preparedness grants.
FEMA to Host Series of Webinars to Receive Input on Draft National Resilience Guidance The draft guidance is here. The webinars will be held May 7, May 9, May 14, and May 15.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Announces FY 2024 Income Limits for Community Planning and Development (CPD) Programs
HUD Awards $3.17 Billion in FY 2024 Public Housing Repair Funds Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) can use funds to develop, finance, modernize, and manage improvements to public housing developments. To see all the grants announced, click here.
Final Rule Amends Regulations for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Tenant-Based Program and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program The changes were made by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) and include establishing a statutory definition of PHA-owned housing and amending several elements of both programs. HUD has also included regulatory changes to reduce the burden on PHAs. The rule becomes effective June 6.
INTERIOR
United States Geological Survey (USGS) Seeks Input on Proposed Information Collection Regarding Vulnerability to Water Insecurity USGS will collect information regarding the decision-making process, data, and data format needs to support daily, long-term, and emergency management decision-making. Information will also be sought on gaps in data delivery and coverage. Responses are due May 31.
National Park Service (NPS) Awards $23.4 Million to 39 Projects Through Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights Grant Program
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Apportions $59 Million in FY 2024 State Wildlife Grants State funding is available here.
JUSTICE
Department of Justice, Council of State Governments Launch Zero Returns to Homelessness Initiative The project aims to inspire and equip states and communities with tools to ensure that people returning from incarceration have safe and stable housing.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) and Treasury Announce Data-Sharing Partnership with States to Prevent Unemployment Insurance Fraud Under the agreement, state agencies will have access to Treasury’s Do Not Pay Working System through the Unemployment Insurance Integrity Data Hub maintained by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. DOL posted an explanatory memo to state workforce agencies about the agreement.
DOL Posts Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Data Completion and Publication for Payment Integrity Information Act (PIIA) Reporting Year 2024
DOL Announces YouthBuild Awards Seventy-two organizations in 30 states will receive a total of $98 million to support pre-apprenticeships for young people ages 16-24 who left high school without a diploma and are either a member of a low-income family, in foster care, court-involved, disabled, a child of an incarcerated parent, a migrant, basic skills deficient, or are referred by a secondary school.
DOL Clarifies Evaluation Requirements, Flexibilities for States Under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Posts Memo with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) FY 2024 Allocations of Discretionary Exemptions for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) States are reminded that the Fiscal Responsibility Act reduced discretionary exemptions available to states and limited the carryover of discretionary exemptions between fiscal years.
FNS Publishes Fact Sheets on Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programs
- Timeline: Summarizes the potential impacts of disasters on and the role of FNS nutrition programs before, during, and after disasters.
- Equity
FNS to Host Webinar on New Child Nutrition Standards with Focus on Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) It will take place May 16, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
TRANSPORTATION
FHWA Extends Comment Period on New Information Collection on Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Regulations for Federal and Federally Assisted Projects Comments will now be accepted through May 31.
FHWA Amends Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Regulations for Federal and Federally Assisted Programs The regulations govern protections and assistance provided to those displaced by such projects. The rule is effective June 3.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Requests Information on Potential Applications and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in Transportation Responses are due within 60 days of its publication (May 3).
FHWA Apportions $100 Million for FY 2024 Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Program This is in addition to the $250 million from the IIJA for FY 2024 (see those apportionments here).