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 (updated FY 2023 Swift Current funding eligibility)
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces $66 Million for Conservation Projects Of the total, $12 million is IIJA funding for projects under the Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority; a list of projects (without funding amounts) is here. The remaining $55 million, from regular appropriations, will go to Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership projects that mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality, and restore forest ecosystems.
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 Colorado and New Hampshire.
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 Announces $45 Million Round of Awards to Six States Through Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant (RLF) Program Allocations for all states are available here.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Announces Additional $5.5 Million Award for Environmental Justice Projects Through Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) The grant will support projects in Illinois and Indiana. This award is in addition to four previously selected projects that will receive more than $35 million in total.
EPA Announces Availability of $8 Million Through the South Florida Geographic Program for Special Studies Applications are due July 22.
EPA Updates Clean School Bus Rebates Program Guide
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 Additional Funding Eligibility for Three States Under FY 2023 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current Funding Opportunity FEMA announced that Massachusetts and Arkansas are each eligible to receive up to $20 million and Texas is eligible to receive up to $40 million. This brings total state and tribal funding eligibility to $415 million; only $300 million is available through the funding opportunity.
INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Issues FY 2024 Funding Opportunity for Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Nearly $725 million is available to 22 states and the Navajo Nation. Funding by state is listed in the press release. The funding opportunity is here and final guidance is here; applications are due June 30, 2025.
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Finalizes Award of More Than $88 Million for Dam Replacement Project in Montana The funding is from the Aging Infrastructure Account, which received $3.2 billion in the IIJA.
Reclamation Seeks Comment on Proposed Revisions to Seven Categorical Exclusions (CEs) Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Comments are due July 8; additional information is here.
Reclamation Posts Recording of Webinar on IIJA and IRA Updates
Department of the Interior (DOI) Awards $3.4 Million to Address Aquatic Invasive Species in Lake Tahoe
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Distributes Roughly $480 Million to States Through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program The announcement does not include actual grant awards; estimated FY 2024 funding by state is included here.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Awards $7.8 Million for 17 Projects Through Pilot Program for Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility The awards, which include funds for FYs 2023-2024, support organizations that coordinate public transportation for underserved groups.
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to Host Webinars on Electric Vehicle (EV) Deployment and National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy
- Engaging Utilities: Rural Cooperatives Working to Deploy EV Charging: June 18, 2:00 p.m. ET (register)
- Discover the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy: June 25, 4:00 p.m. ET (register)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Makes $227 Million Available for FYs 2024-2026 Through the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) The program aims to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions while improving habitat connectivity and conservation for terrestrial and aquatic species. Applications are due September 4, 2024, for FY 2024 and FY 2025 funding, and August 1, 2025, for FY 2026 funding.
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:
- Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience (Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative)
COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Announces $50 million for Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative The nine projects will help train and place people in jobs that advance a climate-ready workforce for coastal and Great Lakes states, tribes, and territories
INTERIOR
Reclamation Announces $700 Million Investment for Long-Term Water Conservation Projects in the Lower Colorado River Basin Reclamation is working with tribal, state, and individual water entitlement holders on proposals for projects in Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California to utilize this funding. Selected projects and details of agreements will be announced on a rolling basis in coordination with basin partners.
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Update Procedures for Qualified Manufacturers, Dealers, and Sellers of Certain Qualified Clean Vehicles Under IRA
Treasury, IRS Release Guidance for IRA’s Energy Community Bonus Credit The notice provides information taxpayers may use to determine whether they meet certain requirements under the Statistical Area Category or the Coal Closure Category.
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 information is listed as follows:
- Manufacturing Incentives (Rocket Lab/New Mexico)
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet Updated allocations are provided for:
- Pandemic-Related Unemployment Insurance Benefits
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Links to American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP ESSER) state and local educational agency (LEA)/school district plans
HEALTH
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Issues Notice on Updated COVID-19 Vaccines The FDA released an update on COVID-19 vaccines for use beginning this fall. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee unanimously voted to recommend a monovalent JN.1-lineage vaccine composition, to more closely match currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Extends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Address Change Waiver FNS will approve this waiver for two years (with exceptions) with the option for state agencies to request an extension.
TREASURY
Treasury Posts State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Guidebook on Communications and Media Relations The guide provides best practices but does not impose requirements.
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Passes Military Construction/Veterans Administration Funding Bill Among other things, the bill proposes funding of $156 million for grants for the construction of state extended care facilities—$15 million less than FY 2024, but $15 million more than requested by the president—and $60 million for grants for construction of veterans cemeteries—level with FY 2024 and the president’s request.
GENERAL
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Issues 2024 Compliance Supplement The document provides guidance on uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards. Comments will be accepted through August 5.
Treasury Releases Analysis Showing Strong Business Investment in Post-COVID Expansion
AGRICULTURE
USDA, DOI Propose $2.8 Billion for FY 2025 Federal Land Infrastructure Projects Funded through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA, which draws funding from energy development projects on federal land), projects are planned in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and multiple territories. Lists of proposed and prior-year projects are available on the Forest Service GAOA webpage.
COMMERCE
NOAA Releases Draft Guidance on Designation of New Regional Ocean Partnerships Under the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, coastal states and tribes may partner to apply for a regional ocean partnership designation. These partnerships would supplement the four existing partnerships designated by statute. Comments on the guidance are due July 11.
EDUCATION
ED Releases Report on Condition of Education The 2024 edition of the Report on the Condition of Education compiles information from across the education spectrum to examine changes over time. The latest report includes more data for outlying areas, expanded findings for private education, and a new indicator highlighting career and technical education.
ED, Department of Justice Release Webinar on Improving Accessibility of School Buildings
ED to Host Webinar on Closing the Digital Divide in Rural Schools and Communities The webinar will be held June 13, 3:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
ED Unveils Employer Pathways State Policy Heat Map The map highlights state policies that affect career pathways across four areas: dual enrollment, work-based learning, workforce credentials, and career advising and navigation. The searchable map includes data from 2021-2022.
ENERGY
DOE Publishes National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building The definition is not a regulatory standard but sets forth minimum criteria that public and private entities can adopt, and these entities can demonstrate additional climate leadership by exceeding the minimum criteria.
DOE Invests $9.5 Million in Four Projects to Study the Social Dynamics of Large-Scale Solar Siting and Permitting The studies will be carried out by three institutions of higher education and one nonprofit organization.
FERC Proposed Rule Establishes Reasonable Time Period for Action on Requests for Water Quality Certification Among other changes, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposal clarifies that for proceedings requiring a water quality certification pursuant to the Clean Water Act, the period of time during which the certifying authority may act on the request is one year. Comments close July 8.
FERC Issues Final Order on Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation The order is effective on August 12 and requires transmission providers to conduct long-term regional transmission planning that will ensure the identification, evaluation, selection, and cost allocation of more efficient or cost-effective regional transmission solutions.
ENVIRONMENT
- Competition Process: June 18, 1:00 p.m. ET (registration link will be posted here)
- Training for EPA Pass-Through Grant Applicants, Recipients, and Subrecipients: June 27, 11:00 a.m. ET (registration link will be posted here)
HEALTH
CMS Releases FAQs on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Coverage of Peer Support Services The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) document clarifies the policy that provides states the option to offer peer support services as a component of a comprehensive mental health and substance use service delivery system.
MACPAC Releases June 2024 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) report includes the following:
- Recommendations for increased transparency in Medicaid and CHIP financing that include requiring states to collect and publicly report sources of non-federal spending
- Tools states can use to optimize state Medicaid agency contracts
- Enrollment trends in Medicare Savings Programs
- Improvements to demographic data collection in Medicaid
HHS Releases Reports on Health Insurance Coverage in Minority Communities, Announces New Funding for Navigators The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued five new reports highlighting gains in health care coverage, especially in underserved communities. It also announced the availability of $500 million in Navigator grants, with $100 million to be awarded in the fall (applications for this funding are due July 8).
Administration Releases Fact Sheet Bolstering Healthcare Through Strengthening Cybersecurity The administration is working to improve of the resilience of the healthcare sector by working with technology providers to offer free and low-cost resources for rural hospitals.
HRSA Releases Ryan White HIV/AIDS Letter on Expungement Services The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provided guidance regarding how Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) funds may be used to provide expungement services for people with HIV who have had legal system involvement.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Provides Guidance on FY 2024 Kinship Navigator Funding The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) program instruction outlines how to apply for the funding. Of note, Congress reduced funding from $20 million to $10 million in FY 2024.
ACF Posts Overview of Foster Care Legal Representation Final Rule The overview summarizes the provisions and provides next steps for states.
ACF Updates Section 1115 Grant Funding Process for Child Support Agencies The information covers grant opportunities, budget requests, award notification, reporting, and project management.
ACF Outlines Changes to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Non-Citizen Eligibility The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 allows citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau residing in the United States to be eligible for certain federal benefits, including LIHEAP.
ACF Issues National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Resources ACF provided state users with guidance related to system function upgrades made to the portal. The first covers uploading files and the second focuses on downloading state compliance status.
ACL Announces Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Grant Awardees The Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced $2.4 million in funding; grantees include state agencies in Kansas and Puerto Rico.
ACL Makes Almost $2 Million Available to Support State Implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers ACL plans to award four cooperative agreements to state units on aging. Applications are due August 6. A webinar for prospective applications will be held June 20, 2:00 p.m. ET (details are included in the headline link).
HOMELAND SECURITY
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Issues Interim Final Rule (IFR) on Securing the Border The IFR is being issued pursuant to a presidential proclamation and addresses the circumstances at the southern border, including limitations and conditions on asylum eligibility. It became effective on June 5.
FEMA Issues Guidance on Implementation of Executive Order 14074: Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety The guidance applies to all recipients and subrecipients of FEMA grant funding.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) Grants The department awarded $51.1 million to 38 communities across 26 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. A list of awardees is here.
HUD Issues Guidance on HOTMA HCV and PBV Final Rule The guidance for public housing agencies (PHAs) administering Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs addresses the final rule entitled, “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) HCV and PBV Implementation: Additional Streamlining Changes.”
HUD Issues Low- and Moderate-Income Summary Data Updates The notice provides guidance on geographic datasets used for compliance with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing), and Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) grant requirements.
HUD to Host Listening Sessions on HOME Proposed Rule The proposed rule modernizes regulations for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Public comments are due by July 29. Listening sessions will be held on several dates between June 12-June 26. Register here.
HUD to Host Webinar on FY 2017 Undisbursed CDBG Funds at Risk of Cancellation It will be held June 13, 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
HUD Seeks Approval of Survey of Lead Hazard Reduction Grantees Comments close July 5.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Establishes $200 Million Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Schools, Libraries The pilot will make universal service funds available to defray the costs of cybersecurity services and equipment.
FCC Seeks Comment on Rural Broadband Proposals The commission is considering modifications to letter-of-credit rules for Universal Service Fund High Cost support as well as Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support and making permanent its waiver of letter-of-credit rules for Connect America Fund Phase II support. Comments will close 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
FCC Announces Procedures for State Requests to Activate the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative
FCC Updates Rural Area List for Rural Health Care Program Eligibility
INTERIOR
OSMRE Makes $130 Million Available for FY 2024 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program Funding amounts for eligible states and tribes are included in the press release. Guidance and project eligibility is here and additional information is here.
DOI and USDA Issue Joint Memo on Wildland Fire Leadership Responsibilities
DOI Distributes More Than $14 Million in Clean Vessel Act Grants to States and Territories Funding by state is here and a summary of applications/projects is here.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Posts Program Year (PY) 2024 Guidance for Workforce and Labor Market Information Grants to States
DOL Posts, Seeks Comment on Preliminary Allotments for PY 2024 National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Career Services and Training Grants Comments close June 25.
DOL Publishes Finalized Work Opportunity Tax Credit Revised Administrative Formula Methodology
DOL Posts Memo on Responsibilities of Federal Assistance Recipients to Report Fraud, Misconduct
NUTRITION
FNS Posts Evaluation of Child Support Enforcement Cooperation Requirements in SNAP Mandated by the 2018 farm bill, the study found that the costs and negative consequences of the requirement may outweigh any benefits. FNS simultaneously posted guidance for state SNAP agencies regarding cooperation with state child support agencies.
FNS Highlights SNAP Income Verification Timing Flexibilities The flexibilities allow state agencies to align SNAP and Medicaid verification deadlines, which FNS strongly encourages.
FNS Clarifies Guidance Regarding Multiple Online SNAP Applications from One Household, Telephonic Signatures
FNS Posts Guidance on Recent Changes to Child Nutrition Buy American Provisions
FNS Posts Third Q&A Regarding SNAP National Accuracy Clearinghouse Interim Final Rule
FNS Posts Webinar Videos
- FY 2024 Team Nutrition Training Grant Request for Applications They are due July 16.
- Child Nutrition Standards Final Rule
FNS Publishes Reports
- Sixth Year Report from Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study
- Characteristics of SNAP Households – FY 2022
TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Finalizes Fuel Economy Standards for Model Years 2027-2031 Cars and Light Trucks, Model Years 2030-2032 Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks and Vans The final rule is effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) to Host Public Meeting on Cybersecurity and Data Management, Reducing Bus Collisions, and Advancing Worker and Rider Safety It will be held June 24-25. Requests to attend, verbally address the committee, and/or submit written materials for review must be submitted by June 17.