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). No new or updated allocations are provided this week.
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Advances Digital Equity Programs Digital Equity Plans were approved for four US territories, and the first $9 million capacity grant was awarded to Nevada.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 Final Awards for Alaska, Ohio, and the Northern Mariana Islands Through the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program
DOE Issues Seventh Tranche of Awards Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program A total of $18.5 million was awarded to four states and 20 local governments.
DOE Publishes June 2024 State and Local Spotlight It includes important announcements and deadlines related to state and local grant programs.
DOE Selects Organizations to Receive $4.6 Million to Provide Technical Assistance on Implementation of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants
DOE Awards More Than $7.3 Million in Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) Implementation Grants, Announces Change to Grant Amount Limitation The funds are for 37 small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across the country to make improvements at their facilities to save energy, reduce pollution, and strengthen domestic manufacturing. The funding opportunity for implementation grants is open on a rolling basis; beginning July 1, eligible applicants can receive up to $300,000 per project, rather than per entity.
DOE Issues $16 Million Funding Opportunity for Supporting Carbon Utilization Products via Electrochemical Conversion and Refinery and Petrochemical Facilities Retrofitting The opportunity seeks applications to address carbon conversion challenges across two areas: engineering-scale electrochemical conversion with a focus on system durability, and feasibility studies for refinery and petrochemical facility retrofits. Applications are due August 27.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Awards $22.4 Million to 13 Selectees Through the Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient & Sediment Reduction Grant Program The awards include $12.4 million from the IIJA.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 Awards $185 Million to 32 States and Puerto Rico Through the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) Grant Program
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Finalizes Phase 1 Formula Grant Awards for Five States Under the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration Program The funding for Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, New York, and Ohio totals nearly $127 million.Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Invests $2 Million for Drought Resilience in Idaho The press release does not specify which program the funding comes from.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Makes $1.9 Million Available for Projects That Enhance Mobility Innovations for Transit Applications are due August 30.FTA Seeks Applications to Establish a Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) National Technical Assistance (TA) Center FTA has made $2.5 million available for establishing the center, which will support improvements to transportation access for persons with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. Applications are due August 30.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Awards $1.8 Billion for 148 Projects Through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program A list of funded projects is here.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Publishes FY 2024 Apportionments Totaling $914 Million
DOT Announces Availability of up to $784 Million for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program The $784 million includes appropriations for FYs 2023-2026; additional funding from FY 2022 unobligated balances is also available. Applications are due based on fiscal year funding:
- FY 2023: September 23, 2024
- FY 2024: August 25, 2025
- FY 2025: August 24, 2026
- FY 2026: August 23, 2027
NHTSA Makes $1.4 Million Available for State Legislative Research Cooperative Agreement The selectee will identify introduced and amended state laws related to traffic safety, conduct research on legislation to determine the outcomes and effectiveness of the laws and identify any trends, and develop informational briefs and other materials. The outcomes may enable state enactment of more effective legislation. Applications are due July 25.
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Release Final Regulations Implementing Tax Reporting Requirements for Sales and Exchanges of Digital AssetsINFLATION 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:
- Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (Round 3 “Comprehensive” cohort awards)
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces PACE, REAP Awards The Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) both received IRA funding. REAP loans and grants totaling $100 million will support 473 projects to help farmers and rural small businesses in 40 states and territories expand the use of renewable energy and make energy efficiency improvements. PACE awards of more than $275 million to rural electric cooperatives will expand access to clean energy for communities in Alaska, Arizona, Kentucky, and Nebraska (see list of funded projects in the linked press release).USDA Publishes Rural Energy Resource Guide The guide is intended to make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by the IRA.
HEALTH
HHS Announces Cost Savings for 64 Prescription Drugs Under IRA’s Medicare Rebate Program The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the drugs that will have a lower Part B coinsurance rate from July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, since each drug company raised prices faster than the rate of inflation.HHS Publishes First Round of IRA Case Studies on Health Sector Climate Investments The studies highlight how safety net health providers are using IRA funds and tax credits to reduce carbon emissions.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards More than $142 Million Under Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) Grants and loans will support energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations in more than 2,200 homes at properties housing low-income individuals. The press release includes a list of awardees.TREASURY
Treasury, IRS Issue Final Regulations for Reporting and Paying Corporate Stock Repurchase Excise TaxCHIPS 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. Updates are provided for:
- Manufacturing Incentives (Colorado, Florida)
- Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education (ITYC, various states)
- Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT; Texas, Michigan)
Preliminary Agreements Reached for Manufacturing Incentives
- $75 Million to Entegris for Manufacturing Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- $7 Million to Rogue Valley Microdevices for New Foundry in Palm Bay, Florida
Natcast Posts AIDRFIC Call for Proposals, Proposers’ Day Details As explained in the Call for Proposals, the objective of the Artificial Intelligence Driven Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design Enablement (AIDRFIC) research and development program is the successful demonstration of AI-based tools to improve design productivity for RFICs. Proposal summaries are due July 25, with full proposals due August 16. A proposers day event will take place in Arlington, Virginia on July 11 (with a virtual option for those unable to attend in person). The registration deadline for in-person attendance is July 3, 5:00 p.m. ET and a week later for virtual attendance. Video and slides from a June 21 informational webinar on the project are available at the event link.
Natcast Launches Workforce Partner Alliance Program The program will focus initially on closing workforce and skills gaps for researchers, engineers, and technicians across semiconductor design, manufacturing, and production. Natcast plans to make 4-10 awards to projects with total budgets between $500,000 and $2 million. Eligible entities include state and local agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and companies with a presence in the United States. Full applications are due July 26.
Department of Commerce Announces Next Round of Implementation Grants for 12 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Funding of $504 million will be used to invest in the production of critical technologies in regions across the country. Awardees and estimated award amounts are listed in the linked press release, with additional information available on the Tech Hubs program page.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet Updates are provided for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:- Links to state and local maintenance of equity submissions
HEALTH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommends Everyone Age Six Months and Older Receive Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu VaccinesHUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Reminds Grantees of Upcoming Deadline for Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Annual Report Grant recipients with a no-cost extension must submit the FY 2023 annual report, which covers October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2024, by July 31.INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Posts Reminder that Emergency Connectivity Fund Sunset Date was June 30 Purchases must have been made by that date to be eligible for reimbursement under the program, which provided American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for broadband service and related devices for schools and libraries.LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Inspector General Publishes Report on Department’s Oversight of CARES Act Short-Time Compensation Program Funding The report finds that insufficient monitoring by DOL lead to federal reimbursement of some questionable state costs.TREASURY
Treasury Updates State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Compliance and Reporting Guidance The guidance was updated to reflect requirements for reporting estimates for personnel costs, contract change order and contingency costs, and certain administrative and legal costs to be expended after the obligation deadline. The update also includes requirements for reporting the obligation of funds via interagency agreements.Treasury Releases Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Quarterly Compliance Data Through March 31, 2024 The spreadsheet includes data reported by state.
Treasury Posts Procedures for Modifying Programs and Allocation Agreements Under SSBCI Capital Program The document sets out the procedures for a participating jurisdiction to request approval of proposed modifications to their State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) capital program.
IRS Proposes Rule Addressing Recapture of Interest on Excess Credits Under Families First, CARES, and ARP Under the proposal, the IRS will assess as an underpayment of tax any overpayment interest paid to a taxpayer on an erroneous refund of employment tax credits provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First), the CARES Act, and the ARP. The proposed regulations affect businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and certain governmental entities that claim the paid sick leave credit and the paid family leave credit under Families First and the ARP, and that claim the employee retention credit under the CARES Act and the ARP. Comments close August 16.
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Advances Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee advanced its WRDA bill last month.BUDGET UPDATE
House Plugs Along, Senate Prepares to Act As summarized below, the House has made progress on all 12 appropriations bills, while Senate leadership has announced that it plans to proceed without a bipartisan agreement on top-line discretionary spending for FY 2025.
AGRICULTURE
USDA to Begin Accepting Applications for Expanded Program to Offset Milk Loss Due to H5N1 Starting July 1, the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) is accepting applications for emergency assistance to dairy farmers incurring losses due to removing infected cows from milking.USDA Seeks Input on Procedures for Quantification, Reporting, and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Production of Biofuel Feedstocks Comments close July 25.
USDA Publishes Proposed Rule on Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets The proposal amends the regulations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to clarify practices prohibited as unfair. Comments close August 27. Links to the rule, a fact sheet, and relevant contacts are here.
EDUCATION
ED Seeks Comment on Data Collection Request for Charter School Programs (CSP) Data Collection, Risk Assessment, and Monitoring Comments close August 30.ENERGY
DOE Announces Additional Credentialing Body for Home Energy Professionals (HEPs) Supporting the Weatherization Assistance Program DOE entered into a license agreement with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), which will offer certification exams for certain HEPs by early 2026.DOE Requests Feedback on Draft Environmental Justice Plan Written comments are due July 31. DOE will host three listening sessions to hear public input, which are tentatively scheduled for July 9-11 (register here).
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Revises Guidelines for Recipients of Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants The guidelines are available here.HEALTH
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Awards School-Based Grants to 18 States The states will each receive up to $2.5 million over three years for the implementation, enhancement, and expansion of school-based health services through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The funding was included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA).CMS Releases March 2024 Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Data
CMS to Hold Webinar on Workforce Strategies in Home and Community-Based Services The webinar will be on July 10, 2:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link above.
CMS Announces First Awards in the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development Model Maryland, Vermont, and Connecticut have been selected as the first states to participate in the model. Hawaii will also participate, pending satisfaction of certain requirements. CMS is seeking applications from additional states, with a letter of intent due July 26.
CMS Announces Release of State Request for Applications (RFA) for Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model The model will test whether a CMS-led approach to developing and administering outcomes-based agreements (OBAs) for cell and gene therapies improves Medicaid beneficiaries’ health outcomes, broadens access to innovative treatment, and reduces health care expenditures. The RFA is available here. A NOFO will be released later this summer.
HRSA Announces New Policy Action to Improve Access to Housing for People with HIV The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will enable Ryan White HIV/AIDS program recipients to use funds for housing security deposits for eligible patients. The deposits must be returned to the program, not the client, at the end of the lease.
HRSA Awards More Than $200 Million to Improve Care for Older Adults Under Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program The funding focuses on training primary care providers to meet patients’ geriatric needs. A list of grant recipients by state is available here.
HRSA Posts Complete Lists of Health Professional Shortage Areas The designations offer access to potential federal assistance. The information includes all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary medical care, dental health, and mental health professional shortage areas as of April 15, 2024.
HHS Releases Nurse Staffing Estimates, Updated Guidance The report uses May 2024 data to compare current staffing levels in nursing homes related to specific minimum staffing requirements included in the Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting final rule. HHS also released revised guidance for State Survey Agencies on long-term care facilities assessments as a result of the final rule.
HHS Secretary Renews Public Health Emergency (PHE) for Opioid Crisis The PHE has been in effect since 2017.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Publishes Interim Final Rule on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Work Outcomes The rule implements changes in the Fiscal Responsibility Act related to reporting work outcomes under TANF. The interim final rule is effective October 1, 2024. Comments are due December 27, 2024.ACF Releases Remaining FY 2024 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Funds ACF awarded $40.25 million. With this third release, states, territories, and tribes have now received their entire allocations.
ACF Posts FY 2023 Child Support Enforcement Data Report and Tables The preliminary state data include collections, expenditures, and other program statistics.
ACF Outlines FY 2025 Monitoring Process for Head Start and Early Head Start The guidance describes the monitoring reviews for FY 2025, including start dates.
ACF Establishes Unaccompanied Children (UC) Office of the Ombuds The office will receive, investigate, and address concerns about government actions in the UC program.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Expands Secure Tomorrow Series Toolkit The toolkit provides products to help critical infrastructure stakeholders identify and manage emerging risks. New topics include information and communications technology supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing, and water availability.FEMA Proposes Revisions to Public Assistance Program and Community Disaster Loan Program Regulations to Reflect Current Statutory Authorities and Implement Program Improvements Comments are due September 3.
HOUSING
HUD Awards Grants for Housing Interventions to End the HIV Epidemic One-time funding of $26 million will go to 11 communities for housing assistance and supportive services for eligible individuals and families, coordination and planning activities, grants management, and administration. Recipients are listed in the press release.HUD Awards $85 million for Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Program Recipients will update state and local housing plans, revise land use policies, streamline the permitting process for housing construction, and take other actions to create more affordable housing. Grants will also help to preserve affordable housing units, provide subsidies to create new units, and increase access to homeownership. A list of recipients is included in the press release.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
FCC Clarifies That Filing Deadline for Fifth Broadband Data Collection is September 3 for Data as of June 30 The filing window opened July 1.INTERIOR
DOI Announces FY 2024 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) to State and Local Governments Totaling $621.2 Million Payments by state are here and by state and county here.Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Awards $48.4 Million to 19 States and Guam Through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund A list of awards by project type is here.
LABOR
DOL Revises Fair Labor Standards Act Regulations on Exemptions from Minimum Wage, Overtime Pay Requirements for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees The new regulations took effect July 1, with certain sections becoming applicable January 1, 2025.DOL Awards $57 Million in Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Grants
DOL Releases New Unemployment Insurance Fraud Risk Management Page
DOL Proposes Rule to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat The due date for comments will be determined once the proposal is published in the Federal Register.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Maintains Data Visualization Dashboards The dashboards cover various aspects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), child nutrition programs, and more.FNS to Hold Webinar on WIC Modernization Dashboard The webinar will take place August 5, 2:30 p.m. ET (register).
FNS Posts FY 2023 State SNAP Payment Error Rates
FNS Memo Transmits WIC Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2024
FY 2025 WIC Cash Value Voucher/Benefit Amounts Posted
FNS Publishes Small Entity Compliance Guide Summarizing Guidance Related to New Nutrition Standards for Child Nutrition Programs
FNS Posts Studies of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
FNS Releases Model Written Notice to Child Nutrition Beneficiaries Regarding Faith-Based Local Program Operators