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 allocations are provided for:
- Affordable Connectivity Program Household Support
AGRICULTURE
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Posts Policy Notice on BEAD Program The document interprets provisions of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) as they relate to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. NTIA’s approach is similar to the approach used by Treasury for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). More information is available in a blog post.
ENERGY
Department of Energy (DOE) Makes $40 Million Available for State Energy Auditor Training Grants are available to state energy offices. Concept papers are due March 28 and full applications are due June 28. DOE will host a webinar on January 17 (registration details will be available here on January 10).
DOE Announces Availability of $37 Million for Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second Life Applications The funding aims to reduce costs associated with recycling end-of-life electric drive vehicle batteries and promote recycling of plastic and polymer electric drive vehicle battery accessory components through research, development, and demonstration. Concept papers are due March 8 and full applications are due April 19.
DOE to Host Webinar on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Reporting Requirements and Process It will be held January 11, 3:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above).
DOE Updates Implementation Guidance for IIJA Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Awards
DOE Updates Average Cost Per Dwelling Unit Calculation and Allowable Expenditures for IIJA WAP Funds
DOE Issues Final Guidance for the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) Designation Process NIETC designation enables DOE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to finance and permit high-priority transmission projects within an NIETC. The guidance is here; DOE will accept information and recommendations on the designation process through February 2.
DOE Publishes Notice of Intent (NOI) to Issue Funding Opportunity for Research and Development on Converting Carbon Dioxide into Commercially Viable Products The opportunity would be funded through the Carbon Utilization Program.
ENVIRONMENT
HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Announces Availability of $150 Million for Resilience Capitalization Grants The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program issues capitalization grants to states, which then provide low-interest loans to local communities for resilience projects. Applications are due April 30.
INTERIOR
Department of the Interior (DOI) Awards $51 Million for 18 WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects A list of awards is included in the announcement.
DOI Amends FY 2023 Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Funding Opportunity to Include $8 Million for Inventory and Other Data Improvements In addition to $725 million available to eligible states, DOI is making $300,000 available to each eligible state and tribe for data improvements (see a list of eligible states and tribes here). The funding opportunity has been updated accordingly; applications are due June 30.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Posts FY 2024 Formula Allocations Totaling $2.89 Billion for Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Issues Supplemental Bridge Investment Program Funding Opportunity for FYs 2023-2026 In September, FHWA announced the availability of $9.62 billion for Large Bridge Projects under the program. FHWA is now making $9.7 billion available for the program through a supplemental funding opportunity, including $80 million for Planning Grants. Smaller Bridge Projects with costs less than $100 million will now have access to $1.32 billion of the $9.62 billion previously available only for Large Bridge Projects. Applications are due as follows:
- Planning Grants: February 19, for FY 2023-2024 funding; October 1, for FY 2025 funding; October 1, 2025, for FY 2026 funding
- Bridge Grants: March 19, for FY 2023-2024 funding; November 1, for FY 2025 funding; November 1, 2025, for FY 2026 funding
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Extends Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Transit Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue Risk Management Comments will now be accepted through January 29.
FTA Extends Comments Period on State Safety Oversight Proposed Rule Comments may be submitted through February 15.
Maritime Administration Announces Availability of $450 Million for Port Infrastructure Development Program The funding opportunity may be amended to include any supplemental appropriations for FY 2024. Applications are due April 30.
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. New allocations are provided for:
- HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (Round 1 Comprehensive and Round 2 Elements awards)
AGRICULTURE
OIG Posts Report on Conservation Stewardship Program The report includes information on IRA funding for the program.
ENERGY
DOE Announces Availability of $530 Million for Technical Assistance for Adoption of Latest and Zero Energy Building Codes Concept papers are due February 9 and full applications are due April 30. DOE will host a webinar on the opportunity on January 17, 2:00 p.m. ET (register).
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Selects 11 Organizations to Receive $600 Million Through Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJTCGM) Program These organizations will distribute grants to community-based nonprofits and other eligible subrecipients for environmental justice assessment, planning, and project development activities. A list of selectees is here.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Announces Loans and Grants Under Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) Awards totaling $173.9 million will support energy efficiency, electrification, clean energy, low embodied carbon materials, and climate resilience improvements in 30 HUD-assisted multifamily properties that include 3,070 rental homes. Awards are listed in the press release.
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Release Guidance on Hydrogen Production Credit
Treasury, IRS Request Comment on PIN Requirement to Claim Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit The IRS intends to propose regulations to implement a product identification number (PIN) requirement to claim the energy efficient home improvement credit. Comments close February 27.
Treasury, IRS Issue Guidance for Certain Clean Energy Producers Related to Domestic Content; Request Comment for Upcoming Regulations Comments close February 26.
IRS Opens IRA and CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool for Organizations to Register to Monetize Clean Energy Credits The option to monetize credits is available to entities without federal tax liabilities, including state and local governments.
Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Regulation on Tax Credit for Production of Clean Hydrogen Comments close February 26.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet No new allocations are provided this week.
EDUCATION
Department of Education (ED) Updates COVID Materials Updates include:
- Maintenance of equity data table
- Emergency Assistance to Non-public Schools (EANS) annual reporting data collection form for FY 2023
- Summary of key differences between EANS reporting for FY 2023 and FY 2022
- Links to state and local/school district plans for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds
- December 11 and December 18 Newsflash, with recent communications, upcoming deadlines, and other resources
HEALTH
CMS Releases New Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Renewal Data The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released data through September 2023. A summary is available here. In addition, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to governors in nine states with the highest child disenrollment rates. Links to the state letters are in the press release above.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Releases Provider Level File Format and Transmission for ARP Child Care Stabilization Grants The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provided details on the ACF-901 report, which includes child care provider-level information about the number and characteristics of child care providers receiving grant awards.
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) Posts Guidance on Application of State Finality Laws to Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Unemployment Compensation (UC) Programs DOL will defer to states in the application of such laws.
NUTRITION
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Seeks Approval for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) COVID Study The study will provide information about state SNAP agencies’ experiences with the wide range and mix of operational changes made in response to the evolving pandemic.
TREASURY
Treasury Releases January 2024 SLFRF Project and Expenditure Report User Guide
Treasury Updates Capital Project Fund (CPF) Project and Expenditure Report User Guide The update provides additional information on how to enter data by bulk upload, moves location type definitions to Appendix D, and reorganizes sections to match the order in which data are entered on the report.
Treasury Issues State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Quarterly Report Through September 30, 2023
OTHER NEWS
BUDGET UPDATE
OMB Releases Sequestration FAQs The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum addresses issues surrounding the potential sequestration of FY 2024 appropriations pursuant to the Fiscal Responsibility Act (P.L. 118-5), which is the legislative vehicle that suspended the debt limit last spring.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
President Signs Airport and Airway Extension Act The law extends FAA’s authority to collect taxes and make expenditures from the trust fund through March 8, 2024. It also extends the Airport Improvement Program.
GENERAL
Census Bureau Releases State-to-County Migration Flows for 2017-2021
COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration (EDA) Posts 2023 Recompete Pilot Program Finalists Authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, the program invests in economic and workforce development projects in areas with low prime-age employment. The 22 finalists are listed in the press release.
EDUCATION
ED Awards Grants to Improve Postsecondary Education Access and Completion for Students in Rural Communities The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant program awarded $44.5 million to 22 institutions of higher education. A list of awardees is in the press release.
ED Issues Final Waiver and Extension of Project Period for Innovative Rehabilitation Training Grants The waiver and extension enable seven projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.263C to receive funding for an additional period, but not beyond September 30, 2025.
ED Issues Final Waiver and Extension of Project Period for Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Grants The waiver and extension enable 51 projects under Assistance Listing Numbers (ALNs) 84.129B, 84.129H, 84.129P, and 84.129Q to receive funding for an additional period, but not beyond September 30, 2025.
ED Releases Materials in Advance of First Institutional Quality and Program Integrity Committee Meeting Six issue papers include proposals to ensure that accrediting agencies and state authorizing agencies are appropriately holding institutions of higher education accountable for providing high-quality educational opportunities.
ENERGY
DOE Awards $15.2 Million Through Sustainable Energy for Consumers (SERC) Set-Aside of WAP A list of awards is here.
DOE Revises Lists of WAP-Eligible Buildings Based on Categorical Income Eligibility Under HUD’s Means-Tested Programs DOE also updated FAQs on categorical eligibility.
DOE Extends Comment Period on Proposed New and Revised Categorical Exclusions for Certain Energy Projects Under the National Environmental Policy Act Comments will be accepted through January 16.
ENVIRONMENT
Administration Announces Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Among Seven Federal Agencies on Implementation of American Climate Corps Program The administration will host four listening sessions to hear from potential applicants and implementing partners, including states:
- January 11, 10:00 a.m. ET (register)
- January 16, 6:00 p.m. ET (register)
- January 25, 6:00 p.m. ET (register)
- February 1, 10:00 a.m. ET (register)
HEALTH
CMS Publishes Calendar Year (CY) 2024 January-September Clawback Rates These are used to calculate state payments to the federal government for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. FFIS Issue Brief 24-01 provides more details and calculates state payments in CY 2024, which are estimated to increase 18.9% from CY 2023.
HHS and General Services Administration (GSA) Increase Naloxone Access in Federal Facilities The guidance recommends that all federal facilities include overdose reversal medications in their safety stations on site.
HHS Secretary Renews Public Health Emergency (PHE) for Opioid Crisis The PHE has been in effect since 2017.
FDA Approves First Genetic Test for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Risk The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of a test that uses DNA in assessing whether certain individuals may have an elevated risk of developing OUD.
HRSA Publishes Primary Medical Care, Dental Health, and Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designations are published annually and offer access to potential federal assistance.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Updates First Quarter Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Allocations ACF released the second and final first quarter award covering November 18 through December 31, 2023.
ACF Announces CSBG Annual Report Now Available for Submission The FY 2023 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) report is due March 31.
ACF Posts CSBG Annual Reports to Congress ACF posted the FY 2017 and FY 2018 reports, which provide state-level data on use of funds and individuals/families served.
ACF Releases Results of CSBG Survey of Grant Recipients The results are based on feedback from state, territory, and tribal grant recipients and focus on satisfaction with the federal Office of Community Services.
ACF Releases Data Standards for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Annual ACF-800 Report ACF provided the state-level data required and outlined a minor change to the report.
HOUSING
HUD Expands ConnectHomeUSA Initiative (CHUSA) The program assists public housing authorities, tribes, and multifamily housing providers in helping residents connect to affordable internet service and computer devices, while also providing digital skills training.
HUD Awards Family Unification Program (FUP) Funds Awards total $10 million for more than 600 vouchers to 13 public housing authorities nationwide, to identify youth with a history of foster care involvement who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and families whose lack of adequate housing is the primary reason their children are in foster care. A list of awards is in the press release.
OIG Finds Office of Community Planning and Development Could Improve the Timing of Delivery of Disaster Recovery Funding
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Relaunches 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (21MP) The program will support projects that offer professional development opportunities to the current museum workforce, employ strategies to train and recruit future museum professionals, or evaluate such efforts. The program website is here and includes a recent grant opportunity.
IMLS Proposes Information Collection to Assess Current State of Library and Museum Infrastructure and Identify Needs Comments close February 24.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Issues Proposed Rule for Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program The three-year pilot program within the Universal Service Fund (USF) will provide up to $200 million to support cybersecurity and advanced firewall services for eligible schools and libraries. Comments close January 29.
FCC Announces Opening of Next Broadband Data Collection Filing Window Service providers and other filers (including state and local governments) have until March 1 to submit data on broadband availability as of December 31, 2023.
FCC Announces Revised 2024 Urban Rate Survey Broadband Benchmarks, Delays Implementation Deadline to February 1
FCC Extends Comment Deadline for Proposal to Allow E-Rate Support for Wi-Fi Hotspots for Off-Campus Use The new deadline for comments on the proposed rule is January 16.
FCC Announces Conclusion of Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction 904 Long-form Application Review The 379 recipients of support have winning bids totaling more than $6 billion covering locations in 48 states and one territory.
LABOR
DOL Issues Notice of Revised Schedule of Remuneration for the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) Program The notice reflects the military pay increase that became effective on January 1.
DOL Proposes to Rescind 2018 Rule Entitled “Definition of Employer—Association Health Plans” The rule established an alternative set of criteria for determining when a group or association of employers is acting “indirectly in the interest of an employer” for purposes of establishing an association health plan (AHP) as a multiple employer group health plan. Comments close February 20.
DOL Announces Final Rule Requiring Project Labor Agreements for Large-Scale Federal Construction Projects The rule, not yet published in the Federal Register, implements an executive order from February 2022.
DOL Posts Annual Adjustments to Locality-Based Salary Rates for Certain Federal Employees The information may be useful for state UC programs.
DOL Posts 2024 First Quarter State Weekly Benefit Amounts for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
NUTRITION
FNS Posts Interim Final Rule Establishing Permanent Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program and Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option Non-Congregate Meal Service The rule took effect December 29, 2023. Comments will be accepted through April 29.
FNS Posts Summer EBT Information
- Updated List of States Planning to Implement Summer EBT in 2024 The deadline for submitting a notice of intent to FNS was January 1. As of January 3, FNS lists 36 states and territories that intend to offer the program.
- Presentation Slides from January 2 State Agency Meeting The presentation covered available guidance and resources as well as technical challenges states are facing.
- Fact Sheet on Summer EBT Eligibility Verification
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collections
- SNAP Mobile Payment Pilot Evaluation Comments will be accepted through January 25.
- Ongoing Information Collection for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reporting and Recordkeeping Comments will be accepted through January 19.
FNS Posts Memo on SNAP Final Rule Regarding Collection of Race and Ethnicity Data The memo summarizes the rule (published December 14) and states that FNS plans to disseminate information on alternative means of collecting race and ethnicity data, including considerations when using aggregate data.
TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Publishes 2024 Minimum Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Rates for Certain Rail Workers
FTA Proposes General Directive on Transit Worker Safety The General Directive would require each transit agency subject to FTA’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation to conduct a safety risk assessment, identify safety risk mitigations or strategies, and provide information on how it is assessing, mitigating, and monitoring the safety risk associated with assaults on transit workers. Comments are due February 20.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Extends Comment Period on Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Potential Updates to Accessibility Requirements for Transportation Facilities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Comments are due February 20.