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 and updated allocations are provided for:
- Orphaned well site plugging, remediation, and restoration – Initial state grants (updated)
- Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid (FY 2024 state formula grant eligibility; updated estimates for FYs 2025-2026)
- Affordable Connectivity Program Household Support
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces Additional Webinar on Rural E-Connectivity (ReConnect) Program Round 5 Notice of Funding Opportunity The added webinar—covering the same material as the one on January 24—will take place February 7, 1:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link above.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) to Host Webinar on Grid Resilience Technical Assistance Consortium Funding Opportunity It will be held February 7, 3:30 p.m. ET (register). The funding opportunity is available here.
DOE Announces Selection of 46 Hydroelectric Projects to Receive up to $71.5 Million in Incentive Payments to Increase Efficiency A list of projects is here.
DOE Selects Four Projects to Receive up to $304 Million Through the Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects Program The projects are located at power and industrial sites in Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, and Wyoming. DOE will host a briefing on the selections February 6, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Makes $60 Million Available for Supplemental Funding to Certain Existing Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Cooperative Agreement Recipients Requests for funding are due March 15. Additional information is here.
EPA Extends Comment Period on New Information Collection for Clean Vehicles Programs Comments will now be accepted through March 7.
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hosting Office Hour Sessions on Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program They will be held from 3:00-400 p.m. ET on February 15, March 7, and April 4. Register at the link above.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notes April 8 Enrollment Freeze for Affordable Connectivity Program The commission also published in the Federal Register a synopsis of its order on the wind-down of the program, originally released in January.
FCC Seeks Comment on Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Preventing Digital Discrimination, Ensuring Equal Access to Broadband Comments will be accepted through March 4.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Awards $5 Million Initial Grant to Missouri Through the Orphaned Well Plugging, Remediation, and Restoration Grant Program This award is in addition to $560 million announced for 24 states in August 2022.
TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Announces Availability of $350 Million for States to Upgrade Crash Data Collection Systems This new program will provide grants to states to upgrade and standardize state crash data systems to enable full electronic data transfer to NHTSA. Applications are due May 1.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Announces Availability of Joint Development Circular to Address Projects Using FTA Funds or FTA-Funded Property The circular adds “technology to fuel a zero-emission vehicle” as an eligible joint development improvement under the definition of a “capital project,” per the IIJA. The updates were applicable as of January 31, 2024. The Notice of Availability (linked above) provides responses to comments received on the proposed changes announced in January 2023. The circular is available here.
FTA Issues Dear Colleague Letter Regarding Coordination of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews to Ensure Compliance with New NEPA Schedule Requirements The coordination ensures FTA’s compliance with new timeframe requirements included in the IIJA and the NEPA amendments included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
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 updates are provided this week.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Proposes New Information Collection on Accomplishment Reporting Under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Comments are due April 8.
HEALTH
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Report Examines IRA’s Expanded Financial Assistance in Medicare’s Low Income Subsidy (LIS) Program The report provides state estimates of those who would have benefited had the provision been in effect in 2020.
CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT (CHIPS)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) CHIPS Research and Development Office (CHIPS R&D) Publishes Notice of Intent (NOI) Regarding Open Competition for Manufacturing USA Institute Focused on Digital Twins NIST expects to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on grants.gov in the second quarter of calendar year (CY) 2024 and wants to allow time for collaboration among industry, academic, federal laboratory, and state/local government partners. NIST will hold a virtual Industry Day on February 12, 12:30 p.m. ET with additional information on this opportunity (register).
CHIPS R&D Publishes NOI Regarding CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Materials and Substrates Research and Development CHIPS R&D expects eligible applicants and subrecipients will include businesses, nonprofits, institutions of higher education (including community and technical colleges), and state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. CHIPS R&D intends to publish the NOFO on grants.gov no later than March.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet New allocations are provided for:
- FEMA Public Assistance
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Updated links for American Rescue Plan (ARP) maintenance of equity materials
- Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) reporting resources and expectations letter
- Reminder of ARP ESSER state plan amendment requirements and processes
- January 16, January 22, and January 29 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
HEALTH
HHS Announces New Unwinding Resource Hub The virtual hub provides key resources in one location so all partners (e.g., states, beneficiary and provider organizations, and advocates) can better assist people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in renewing their health coverage or finding other coverage options.
HHS Hosting Webinar with States on COVID-19 Therapeutics The webinar will focus on the ongoing transition of COVID-19 therapeutics to the commercial market. It will be held February 8, 3:00 p.m. ET. Join the call via ZoomGov (Meeting ID: 161 572 7632; Passcode: 802503).
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Host HOME-ARP Implementation Virtual Problem-Solving Clinic The HOME Investment Partnership-ARP virtual problem-solving clinic will guide participating jurisdictions in the successful administration and development of HOME-ARP programs and activities. It will be held February 29, 2:30 p.m. ET (register here).
TREASURY
Treasury Posts Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Closeout Resource The department also released HAF quarterly data through October 31, 2023, available here. The data include state-specific numbers.
OTHER NEWS
EDUCATION
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Retires Outdated Guidance Documents
Administration Continues Rulemaking Process to Provide Debt Relief for More Student Loan Borrowers
ENERGY
DOE Issues Request for Information (RFI) on Supporting Success for Low-Income and Disadvantaged Community Solar Program Design, Implementation, and Adoption Comments are due February 23.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Proposes to Amend Definition of Hazardous Waste as it Applies to Corrective Action Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) The rule would fully implement the requirement that permitted facilities conduct corrective action to address releases not only of substances listed or identified as hazardous waste in the regulations but of any substance that meets the statutory definition of hazardous waste. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Additional information is here.
EPA Proposes to Add Nine Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances to List of Hazardous Constituents Under RCRA Comments will be accepted for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
HEALTH
SAMHSA Updates Opioid Treatment Program Regulations, Announces Additional Actions to Address Opioid Epidemic The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a final rule to update regulations governing Opioid Treatment Programs. The press release provides a summary of the changes. In addition, HHS announced that certain grant funds may be used to purchase xylazine test strips and released an updated overdose prevention and response toolkit. It also released a summary of its accomplishments in 2023.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Releases Proposed Payment Updates for 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs A fact sheet that provides an overview of the changes and frequently asked questions is available here. Comments must be received by March 1.
CMS Releases October 2023 Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Data
Administration Announces Action to Increase Access to Sickle Cell Disease Treatments CMS will partner with participating states and manufacturers to build a framework that expands access to gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease. CMS will negotiate an outcome-based agreement, which will tie pricing for treatments to whether the therapy improves health outcomes for people with Medicaid. It anticipates releasing a Request for Application (RFA) to manufacturers in early spring 2024 and an RFA and NOFO to states in summer 2024. A webinar providing more information is scheduled for today at 2:00 p.m. ET. Register here.
MACPAC Releases New Resource for Medicaid Payment Policies for Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released a compendium summarizing state Medicaid payments policies for HCBS provided under waiver authority.
MACPAC Report Examines High-Cost Drugs in Medicaid The report also provides recommendations.
HHS Hosts ‘Food is Medicine’ Summit, Launches Three Public-Private Partnerships HHS released principles that will guide its work and announced partnerships that will create an exchange of research, communication, and implementation of programs and policy priorities to advance the collective understanding of Food is Medicine.
HHS, Department of Labor (DOL), and Treasury Issue FAQs on Coverage of Contraceptives Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) The FAQs are to help group health plans and health insurance issuers comply with the requirements under the ACA to cover contraception without cost-sharing.
HRSA Announces Availability of Additional Funds for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published estimated awards by recipient. The funding comes from relinquishments, reductions, closeouts, and unawarded funds.
HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Posts 2020 Child Welfare Outcomes Report to Congress The report highlights state performance in seven outcome categories.
ACF Provides Details on Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Monitoring Process The guidance explains the compliance monitoring process and provides examples of common findings.
ACF Releases Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Report to Congress The report covers FY 2016 through FY 2021 and includes state data.
Administration for Community Living (ACL) Publishes Final Rule to Modernize the Older Americans Act (OAA) The final rule focuses on equity in service delivery, accountability for funds expended, and clarity of administration for ACL and grantees. It is effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
HOMELAND SECURITY
FEMA to Expand Project Eligibility Under Public Assistance (PA) Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) FEMA will fund net-zero energy projects, including solar, heat pumps, and efficient appliances. Applicants may take advantage of these uses for disasters declared after August 16, 2022.
HOUSING
HUD Issues Guidance on Eligible Uses for Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Program Funds Related to Persons with Limited English Proficiency The guidance targets public housing agencies (PHAs) and addresses compliance with federal requirements for providing meaningful access to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP).
HUD Posts Notice of Regulatory Waivers and Administrative Flexibilities Available to PHAs During a Presidentially Declared Disaster During CY 2024 and CY 2025
INTERIOR
JUSTICE
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Proposes Updated Regulations for Victim Compensation Program Among other changes, the proposal would clarify definitions, make it easier for states to seek reimbursement for costs associated with recovery efforts, address extensions of grant performance periods, and better describe OVC’s discretion in remedying erroneous state certifications of payments. Comments are due April 5.
Bureau of Justice Statistics Releases 2020 State Law Enforcement Agency Data The dataset includes personnel demographics, job responsibilities, COVID-19 policies, and budgets by state.
LABOR
DOL Notes Extension of Pre-Implementation Planning Checklist Report Version 1 (Employment and Training Administration 9177 Report) Through July 31, 2026 The checklist is for state unemployment insurance information technology modernization projects.
DOL Office of Inspector General Announces Planned Audit of Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program
DOL Seeks Comment on Proposed New Safety and Health Standard for Emergency Responders The new standard would replace the existing Fire Brigades Standard and would address a broader range of emergency responders and hazards. Comments will be accepted through May 6.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Posts Memo Regarding FY 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) State Outreach Priority Areas
FNS Posts Video of Webinar for State Agencies on Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service in Rural Areas
FNS Posts Memo for State WIC Agencies Clarifying Authorization Requirements for A50 Vendors Vendors that derive more than 50% of their annual food sales revenue from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC A50 vendors) must meet certain cost containment criteria.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Awards $110 Million for Disaster Relief Through the Public Transportation Emergency Relief (ER) Program
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Proposes Flexibilities to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements Comments are due April 2.