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:
- Flood Mitigation Assistance (FY 2023 Swift Current funding eligibility for Michigan and Washington)
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Continues Approving BEAD Proposals Most recently, initial proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program were approved for the District of Columbia, Delaware, and Washington.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Announces Availability of Preliminary List of Potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) NIETCs are any geographic area that is experiencing or is expected to experience electric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers. NIETC designation enables DOE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to finance and permit high-priority transmission projects within an NIETC. Comments on the list, and information and recommendations on the potential NIETCs for Phase 2 may be submitted until June 24. More information is available here.
DOE Updates State and Local Solution Center Webinar Schedule Topics include EV charging infrastructure, weatherization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and more.
DOE Posts Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Updates
- Updated federal monitoring policy and procedures, including updated monitoring tools for grantees
- Guidance on new optional budget categories that can be used to capture costs for specific activities that do not count towards the Average Cost per Dwelling Unit (ACPU) limits
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.
FEMA Announces New Funding Eligibility for Michigan and Washington Through the FY 2023 Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current Funding Opportunity Each state is eligible for $20 million, bringing total FY 2023 Swift Current funding to $335 million.
TRANSPORTATION
Department of Transportation (DOT) Seeks Comment on Information Collection for Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program Funds are awarded on a competitive basis for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant projects within, adjacent to, or accessing federal and tribal lands. Comments close July 8.
DOT Posts FY 2024 Funding Opportunity for $50 Million in Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants Under the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Program The grants will fund technology demonstrations and prototypes that solve transportation problems and build data and technology capacity for state, local, and tribal governments. Applications are due July 12. The funding opportunity is here.
DOE Launches Tool to Connect States with Electric Utility Providers to Support Transportation Electrification
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Makes $196 Million Available for FY 2024 Through the Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety Modernization Grant Applications are due June 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 allocations are provided this week.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces IRA-Funded Awards to Rural Northeast Businesses, Nonprofits The 28 projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia are receiving grants through the Rural Energy for America Program, Rural Microentrepreneurial Assistance Program, Intermediary Relending Program, Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program, and Rural Microentrepreneurial Assistance Program.
Forest Service Announces $154 Million in FY 2024 Forest Legacy Awards Funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund ($84 million) and the IRA ($70 million), these grants to 17 states will support 26 projects to conserve working forests that support rural economies.
ENERGY
DOE Seeks Public Input on Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Direct Loans Under Transmission Facility Financing (TFF) Program The IRA appropriated $2 billion for the program, which provides loans for transmission projects within an NIETC (see item under IIJA section). Comments are due July 31.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Posts Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program Overview Flyer and Funding Opportunity Presentation
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Awards $147.6 Million for WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Project Grants A full list of the 42 projects is here. Funding is from the IRA, IIJA, and annual appropriations.
Department of the Interior (DOI) Invests $60 Million for Water Conservation and Drought Resilience in the Rio Grande Basin
TREASURY
Applications to Open for 2024 Program Year (PY) of Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program This IRA program provides a 10- or 20-percentage point increase in the investment tax credit for qualified solar or wind facilities in low-income communities. Applications will open May 28.
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. New awards are listed for:
- Manufacturing Incentives (Polar, Minnesota)
Department of Commerce (DOC), Polar Semiconductor Sign Preliminary Agreement for $120 Million to Expand Facility in Minnesota
NTIA to Host Information Session on Recent Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Open Radio NOFO The session will take place May 17, 10:00 a.m., online and in person in McLean, Virginia (register). Further information about the NOFO is here.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet Updated allocations are provided for:
- Pandemic-Related Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Consolidated administrative funds Tydings waiver Q&A
- Webinar, slides, and user guide for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Year 4 Annual Performance Report, which is due June 6
- Webinar, slides, and user guide for Education Stabilization Fund Outlying Area Program-State Educational Agencies (ESF-SEA) Year 4 Annual Performance Report, which is due June 6
- Links to state maintenance of equity data and submissions
HEALTH
CMS Releases Guidance and Data Related to Application Determinations, Renewal Strategies, and Application Processing Times The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the following:
- An informational bulletin and slide deck outlining strategies and tools to facilitate faster application processing
- An Informational bulletin announcing a further extension of temporary unwinding-related flexibilities, through June 30, 2025
- Quarterly Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Application Processing Time Report for October-December 2023, which shows the average number of days between initial application and final eligibility determination
TREASURY
Treasury Posts Slides from State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) New Obligation Webinar
OTHER NEWS
GENERAL
AGRICULTURE
USDA Schedules ReConnect Round 5 “Ask Me Anything” Webinar It will take place May 15, 1:00 p.m. ET (register).
USDA Announces New Actions to Address H5N1 Virus Following the detection of the virus in dairy cattle, USDA is acting to reduce the spread and impact of the virus. Recent actions include:
- Providing financial support for
- personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff of affected farms, to reduce the risk of animal-human spread (up to $2,000/farm/month)
- biosecurity plans (up to $1,500/farm, plus $100 for producers who purchase an in-line sampler for their milk system)
- heat treatment of waste milk before disposal (up to $2,000/farm/month)
- veterinarian costs of treating infected cattle (up to $10,000/farm)
- the cost of shipping samples to National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) labs
- Taking steps to compensate producers from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) for loss of milk production
- Working with states to limit the movement of lactating cattle to reduce virus spread
USDA Announces Loans, Grants for Rural Water, Electric Infrastructure Projects These awards are supporting 47 projects in 23 states designed to improve access to reliable electricity and clean drinking water.
COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Recommends 2024 Species Recovery Grants
EDUCATION
ED Releases Federal Need Analysis Methodology for 2024-25 Award Year Pell Grant, Work Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, and TEACH Grant Programs
ED Issues Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria for Comprehensive Centers Program They become effective June 12. More information on the program is here.
ED Extends Application Deadline for Competitive State Assessments Grants The deadline is May 24.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Final Rule Addresses Copper Smelting The rule finalizes the residual risk and technology review (RTR) conducted for the Primary Copper Smelting major source category regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). Except for one provision, the rule is effective May 13.
EPA Announces State Allotments Totaling Nearly $41 Million for Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program
EPA Accepting Comment on State Administration of Earmarks for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) Per Congressional direction, EPA is required to propose options for states and territories to voluntarily take over administration of SRF earmarked projects. EPA hosted a meeting with the National Governors Association to discuss the upcoming report detailing EPA’s proposal (see presentation slides here for context). Comments may be submitted to [email protected] by May 17.
HEALTH
HHS Announces New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) actions include $101 million to mitigate the risk and continue to test, prevent, and treat H5N1, including funding for state, local, and territorial governments to increase testing abilities and reach high-risk populations.
CMS Outlines Opportunities for Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Medicaid and CHIP Enrollees Experiencing Homelessness
CMS Publishes Health Care Guide to Assist Individuals Re-Entering Communities After Incarceration
CMS Provides New Resource for Health Equity Data The document provides suggested definitions, standards, and stratification practices for nine health equity-related data elements to help states and others with data efforts related to CMS’s Framework for Health Equity.
CMS Announces Webinar on Improving Health Equity for Dually Eligible Enrollees in Rural Areas The webinar will be held on May 21, 1:00 p.m. ET (register at link above).
HHS Seeks Comment on Potential Viral Hepatitis Quality Measures in Medicaid Comments are due June 7.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Publishes Final Rule on Foster Care Legal Representation The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) final rule allows title IV-E agencies to claim federal funds for administrative costs of legal and certain non-legal representation. It is effective July 9.
ACF Releases Guidance on Using Child Care Development Fund, Head Start, and Preschool Development Grant Funds to Promote Mental Health and Well-being The letters provide information on how funds can be used to improve the mental health and well-being of children, families, and the early care and education workforce.
ACF Publishes Early Care and Education Workforce Salary Scale Playbook The implementation guide for state and local programs provides guidance on essential actions to build and implement a comprehensive, equitable salary scale for early educators and caregivers.
ACF Awards Remaining Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Allocations ACF released more than $375 million for the last two quarters of FY 2024. The allocations currently reflect a 1% reduction pursuant to the secretary’s authority to transfer funding to other accounts. State allocations are here.
ACF Provides Guidance on Continued Services for Humanitarian Parolees from Ukraine The guidance allows Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) grant recipients to continue to provide benefits and services to certain parolees with a pending or approved re-parole application.
ACF Announces Second FY 2024 Allocations for Set-Asides Under Refugee Support Services Funds were awarded for Refugee Health Promotion and Refugee School Impact.
Administration for Community Living (ACL) Holds Third Webinar on Older Americans Act (OAA) Final Rule The webinar covers Title III/VI coordination. It will be held May 23, 3:00 p.m. ET (register here).
ACL Publishes Adult Protective Services (APS) Final Rule The final rule promotes consistency in services across states, including establishing a set of national minimum standards for the operation of APS programs that all state APS systems must meet. A summary is available here. ACL will be holding a webinar on the final rule today at 3:00 p.m. ET (register here).
ACL Releases Program Instructions for Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) Funds State applications for enrollment outreach and assistance are due July 8.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Posts $5.5 Billion in CPD State and Local Formula Allocations The announcement covers the following Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs:
- Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
- Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA)
- Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
- Recovery Housing Program (RHP)
- Housing Trust Fund (HTF)
The link above provides a spreadsheet with allocations for each program.
Notice Outlines Streamlined Review Process for Regulatory Waivers to Expedite Admission to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), and Public Housing Programs for Persons Experiencing Homelessness Waivers will allow housing agencies to accept self-certification of income, disability status, and other specific information to expedite assistance to people experiencing homelessness. Agencies must then verify tenants’ eligibility within 90 days after they begin receiving assistance.
Notice Outlines Implementation of FY 2024 Funding Provisions for HCV Program
HUD Releases FY 2024 Inflation Factors for HCV Funding
Notice Outlines Implementation of Public Housing Operating Fund Shortfall Funding from FY 2024 Appropriations
HUD Issues Procedural Guidance for FY 2024 HOPWA Permanent Supportive Housing Renewal and Replacement Grant Applications
HUD Releases Instructions for Urban County Qualification for Participation in CDBG Program for FYs 2025–2027
HUD Publishes New 2024 Limits for HOME Maximum Per-Unit Subsidies
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Seeks Comment on Mechanisms to Implement Multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts Comments will be accepted through June 12.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Issues Final Rule on Conservation and Landscape Health The rule applies land health standards to all BLM-managed public lands and uses, codifies conservation tools to be used, and revises existing regulations. It is effective June 10.
DOI Announces $87 Million in Grants Through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund Awards for NAWCA are available here. The press release lists awards under the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.
National Park Service (NPS) Awards $85 Million to States and Tribes Through the Historic Preservation Fund
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Announces State Allocations of $62.4 Million for Coal Mining State Regulatory Grants
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Announces Remaining FY 2024 State Allotments, Additional Backlog Funding for Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Administration State applications are due 30 days after the May 9 issuance date of the memo.
DOL Publishes PY 2024 State Allotments and Guidance for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Wagner-Peyser Act Programs
DOL Posts PY 2024 Allotments, Guidance for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) State and National Grantees National grantees must compete for new grants during PY 2024, so their allotments cover only the four months of the program year (July-October) that precede the competition effective date, November 1.
DOL Releases Updated Unemployment Compensation Equitable Access Toolkit The toolkit is designed to help states identify and address barriers workers face when seeking to access unemployment insurance benefits.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Declares Infant Formula Supply Chain Disruptions for Two Gerber Formulas The shortages are for the company’s Good Start Soy and Good Start SoothePro powder infant formulas. FNS will consider waiver requests from affected Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) state agencies.
FNS Posts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Quality Control Annual Report for FY 2022
FNS Posts Recording of First of Two Informational Webinars on FY 2024 SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants The second will take place May 20, 3:00 p.m. (register). Additional information about the grants is available here.
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collections
- Report of Commodity Distribution for Disaster Relief, Report of Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Issuance
- 2024-2025 National School Foods Study
- WIC Program Regulations—Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
Comments for all close on June 12.
FNS Posts Recording of April 18 Briefing on WIC Food Packages Final Rule
VETERANS
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Establishes Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance Grant Program Effective June 12, state and local governments and institutions of higher education, among others, are eligible to receive grants to provide transition and case management services to help veterans and their spouses transition from military to civilian life.