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:
- Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program (correction to FY 2023 funding for Massachusetts)
- Bridge Investment Program (FY 2024 Large Bridge Projects, addition of FY 2022 Planning Grant award in Massachusetts)
- Habitat Restoration (second round of awards)
AGRICULTURE
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Opens $1 Billion Digital Equity Act Competitive Grant Program Applications are due September 23. More information is available here.
NTIA Continues Approving BEAD Proposals Most recently, initial proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program were approved for New Mexico, Virginia, and Massachusetts.
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 Grants Program Q&As New items can be found by searching for “*new*” in the document.
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.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to Host Webinar to Provide Policy and Programmatic Updates for Corridor Identification and Development (CID) Program It will be held August 7, 11:00 a.m. ET. Register at the link in the heading.
FRA Launches CID Program StoryMap Webpage The interactive resource provides an overview of the program, details about the 69 FY 2022 selected corridors, and shows their locations.
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. Updates are provided for:
- Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (General Competition awards)
- Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (Round 3 “elements” cohort awards)
- Grants to facilitate siting of interstate electricity transmission lines (first round of project selections for the Transmission Siting and Economic Development Program)
- Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience (Climate Resilience Regional Challenge awards)
AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Announces Funding Opportunities for Landscape Scale Restoration Projects on Non-Federal Lands
- Landowner Cost Share Payment Programs for Climate Mitigation and/or Forest Resilience Practices ($140 million): Awards will support state-endorsed programs to issue cost share payments to landowners for climate mitigation and/or forest resilience practices. Applications are due September 30.
- Landowner Payment Programs for Carbon Stewardship Practices ($50 million): Awards will support payments to private forest landowners for carbon stewardship practices. Applications are due September 30.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable and Energy Efficiency, Technical Assistance Grants Loan, grants, and technical assistance totaling $163 million will support 338 projects in 39 states and territories, many with IRA funding. A detailed list of projects is here. Recipients include state agencies in Colorado, Montana, and Rhode Island as well as institutions of higher education in Nevada and Pennsylvania.
COMMERCE
NOAA Announces $575 Million for 19 Projects Through Climate Resilience Regional Challenge
ENERGY
DOE Selects 20 Projects to Receive up to $371 Million to Accelerate Permitting of High-Voltage Interstate Transmission Projects The grants also support community infrastructure projects along major new and upgraded transmission lines. This is the first round of selections from the $760 million in the IRA for grants to facilitate the siting of interstate electricity transmission lines. A list of projects is here.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Announces Initial Project Selections Totaling $325 Million for Community Change Grants Under the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant (ECJBG) The grants will help disadvantaged communities reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. A list of projects is here; no funding detail is provided. The $2 billion funding opportunity under which the awards were made remains open through November 21.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Awards $19 Million Under Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) Awards are listed in the press release.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation Opens Applications for FY 2025 WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Projects The available funding is contingent upon demand. Applications are due October 7.
TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Updates FAQs Related to New, Previously Owned, and Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credits
IRS Issues Guidance for Procedures to Claim Credit for Utilization of Carbon Oxide
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. Updates this week include:
- Manufacturing Incentives (Arizona)
Preliminary Agreement Signed to Provide $400 Million to Amkor Technology for Construction of Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Facility in Arizona
Comment Sought on Initiative to Train Future Semiconductor Workforce Responses to the Request for Information from the CHIPS for America Research and Development Office and the National Science Foundation are due August 14 and will inform a future funding opportunity to establish a National Network Coordination Hub for the National Network for Microelectronics Education.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet No updates are provided this week.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Reminder of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Annual Performance Report Year 3 Prior-Year Re-Open Period July 29 – August 15
- Memo addressing reallocation of unobligated American Rescue Plan (ARP) ESSER funds
- July 1, July 9, July 15, and July 22 issues of Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
- Links to state maintenance of equity materials
- Links to state maintenance of effort materials
HOUSING
HUD Releases Guidance for Elected Officials on Timely Expenditure of HOME-ARP Funds HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) ARP funds that are not fully expended by September 30, 2030, will be reduced or recaptured.
NUTRITION
TREASURY
Quarter 2 (Q2) Project & Expenditure (P&E) Reports and Annual Recovery Plans for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Due July 31 Materials to assist states in reporting expenditures can be found here.
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Releases Mid-Session Review The document updates estimated receipts, outlays, and the deficit for changes that have occurred since the FY 2024 budget was completed in March.
GENERAL
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Seeks Comment on Draft Strategy for Evaluating Risk of New or Existing Pesticides for Federally Endangered or Threatened Species The strategy and supporting documents are available here; comments are due September 23.
HEALTH
SAMHSA Announces Awards to Expand Mental Health and Substance Use Services The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded FY 2024 funds under 14 programs, totaling $45.1 million. The press release includes links to awards by program.
CMS Releases Guidance on New Requirements for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Services for Incarcerated Youth The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) letter outlines state Medicaid requirements for compliance with provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which are effective January 1, 2025.
HHS Announces Reorganization of Technology, Cybersecurity, Data, and Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Policy Functions
HHS Releases Proposed Rule to Improve Healthcare Interoperability, Information Sharing The proposed rule includes two sets of new certification criteria to enhance data exchange, public health response, and healthcare delivery. A summary is available here. Comments are due within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Reminds States of Upcoming Deadline for Child Support Enforcement Annual Data Report The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) reminded states that the initial OCSE-157 report for FY 2024 is due October 30.
ACF Posts FY 2021 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Report to Congress The report includes state data on expenditures, recipients, and performance outcomes.
HHS OIG Report Highlights Impact of Senior Medicare Patrol Program in 2023 The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report is based on data collected from states and territories.
HOUSING
HUD Awards $3.4 Million Under Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative Awards were made to 38 public housing agencies (PHAs) to provide housing assistance to young adults who left foster care or are transitioning out of foster care and are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. A list of awards is provided in the press release.
HUD Awards $6 Million Through Healthy Homes Production Grant Program Awards were made to organizations or local governments in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Funding will help fix older housing, preserve affordable housing, and improve the health of children and families.
HUD Extends 2024 Shortfall Budget Deadline for Recipients of 2022 and 2023 Public Housing Shortfall Grants The 2024 budget submission due date for PHAs with a December 31, March 31, or June 30 fiscal year end is extended to August 1.
HUD Posts Materials from Community Disaster Preparedness Webinar Series The webinars assist grantees, stakeholders, and partners in more efficiently addressing disaster recovery, incorporating community resilience, and processing environmental reviews.
HUD Announces Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive Grant Awards
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Announces $22.5 Million Investment in U.S. Library and Archival Services Initiatives The FY 2024 awards were made through National Leadership Grants for Libraries and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The press release provides a link that can be used to view awards and project descriptions.
Appeals Court Rules Universal Service Fund Unconstitutional as Currently Administered The fund is used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to support telephone and broadband services for rural and low-income users.
FCC Releases Final Rule on Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program The rule establishes the new pilot program, which seeks to evaluate whether, and to what extent, the FCC should leverage the Universal Service Fund (USF) to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries. The program will provide up to $200 million to support cybersecurity services and equipment for eligible schools and libraries.
INTERIOR
JUSTICE
Department of Justice to Publish Final Rule on Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE) The rule clarifies how public entities that use MDE can meet their obligations to ensure accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It has not been published in the Federal Register.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Posts FY 2024 Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program Training and Other Activities (TaOA) Allocations, Requirements Workers certified as eligible to apply for assistance under a petition approved prior to July 1, 2022, and who were separated on or before June 30, 2022, continue to be entitled to TAA Program benefits and services.
DOL Provides Logistical Details for Second FY 2024 National Unemployment Insurance Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) Paid Claims Peer Review The review will be conducted September 9-13 in Philadelphia.
NUTRITION
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collections
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reporting, Recordkeeping Comments close August 26.
- Child Nutrition Information Collection Related to Community Eligibility Program (CEP) Final Rule The rule, which expanded access to the program, amended information requirements in the Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools form. Comments close August 26.
- FNS User Access Request Form Data Collection Comments close August 28.
- SNAP Repayment Demand, Program Disqualification Comments close August 28.
FNS Posts Memo Regarding Disposition and Transmission of Sampled Cases for SNAP Quality Control
FNS Publishes Evaluation of Team Nutrition Training Program
FNS Posts Table of States’ Certification of School Food Authority Meal Requirement Compliance
TRANSPORTATION
FRA Seeks Comment on New Information Collection for Grantees on the Amount of Funding That Flows to Small, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Comments are due September 30.