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:
- Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (FY 2024 awards)
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC; FY 2023 project selections)
- Clean School Bus Program (Update to FY 2023 rebate selections)
AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service to Host Broadband Technical Assistance “Ask Me Anything” Webinar It will take place July 31, 1:00 p.m. ET. Slides, a transcript, and a recording of the webinar will be posted to the Broadband Technical Assistance website after the session.
COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Continues Awarding “Internet for All” Funds Most recently, initial proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) were approved for Connecticut, Utah, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Michigan also received its allocation for Digital Equity Plan implementation.
NTIA to Host Webinar on Digital Equity Program The webinar will discuss how states, local governments, tribal entities, and other stakeholders can reduce barriers to digital equity in their communities. It will take place July 25, 2:00 p.m. E.T.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Recommends $220 Million for Coastal Resilience Projects An additional $66 million was recommended for funding in future years. A list of recommended projects is available here. These projects are funded by both the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
NOAA Awards $27 Million for Marine Debris Cleanup A list of awards is available here.
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 Awards $10 Million for Two Projects to Improve the Process of Producing Rare Earth Elements and Other Critical Materials from Coal, Coal Waste, and Coal By-Products The awards went to the California Institute of Technology and the University of Utah.
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Updates Clean School Bus Rebate 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 Highway Administration (FHWA) Awards More Than $5 Billion for Large Bridge Projects Through Competitive Bridge Investment Program The grants will fund reconstruction, repair, and restoration of 13 nationally significant bridges in 16 states (see project details).
FHWA Makes up to $165 Million Available over FYs 2024-2026 Through the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program Eligible activities include the construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of a single continuous project on a federal lands transportation facility, a federal lands access transportation facility, or a tribal transportation facility, for which activities required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are complete and with an estimated total project cost equal to or exceeding $12.5 million. Applications are due based on fiscal year funding:
- FY 2024: October 16, 2024
- FY 2025: August 1, 2025
- FY 2026: August 1, 2026
Department of Transportation (DOT) Announces Availability of $50 Million for Stage Two Grants Under the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program Funding is available to 2022 Stage One recipients to implement the plans and prototypes previously developed in Stage One that will advance smart city or community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety. Applications are due August 14. Technical questions must be submitted by July 29.
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.
AGRICULTURE
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Announces $90 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants Funded in part by the IRA and awarded primarily to nonprofits or institutions of higher education, the grants are intended to further natural resource conservation on private lands.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Selects 38 Recipients to Receive Nearly $160 Million to Reduce Climate Pollution from the Manufacturing of Construction Materials and Products The grants will support the development and verification of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which show environmental impacts across the life of a product and can catalyze more sustainable purchasing decisions by allowing buyers to compare products. The awards were provided to businesses, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations serving all 50 states (see project descriptions).
EPA Announces 25 Selected Applicants to Receive More Than $4.3 Billion Through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants General Competition The grants will fund projects supporting the deployment of technologies and programs to reduce greenhouse gases and other harmful pollution. A list of selected projects and anticipated award amounts is here.
HEALTH
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Releases Final Part Two Guidance to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs The guidance focuses on plan outreach and education for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which provides the option to spread the costs of prescription drugs over the calendar year rather than paying in full when a prescription is filled. Medicare beneficiaries must opt in to this new program.
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Announces Funding Opportunity of up to $450 Million for Ecosystem and Habitat Restoration in the Upper Colorado River Basin Projects must address issues directly caused by drought in a river basin or inland water body. Only public entities are eligible. Applications are due October 14.
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 (Texas, Missouri)
Preliminary Agreement Reached for $400 Million for GlobalWafers to Build Silicon Wafer Manufacturing Facilities in Texas, Missouri
Department of Commerce (DOC) Invites Three Teams to Apply for CHIPS Manufacturing USA Digital Twins Opportunity The announcement did not identify the three teams. Full applications are due September 9.
Department of State and Mexico to Host Americas Partnership Semiconductor Symposium: Expanding the Supplier Ecosystem The symposium, taking place in Mexico City September 5-6, will bring together industry, governments, academia, and labor to identify key challenges, explore emerging opportunities, and develop strategies for sustainable growth and collaboration.
CORONAVIRUS
Download COVID-19 State Allocations Spreadsheet Updates are provided for
- Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits
HEALTH
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report Provides Recommendations to Improve Federal Oversight of State Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination Process The report also provides examples of state noncompliance with federal requirements during Medicaid unwinding.
HOMELAND SECURITY
GAO Releases Report on FEMA’s Oversight of Disaster Relief Fund in Response to the Pandemic
TREASURY
Treasury Continues to Update SLFRF Materials in Advance of July 31 Reporting Deadline The various updates are located at the top of the linked page and relate to the July 31 deadline for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Project & Expenditure Reports.
Treasury Updates Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Self-Help Resource
OTHER NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
House Passes Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) The bill authorizes Army Corps of Engineers projects, reauthorizes FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program through FY 2028, and makes changes to FEMA’s High Hazard Potential Dam Program. The Senate passed its WRDA bill in June.
GENERAL
FFIS Updates Grants Database The update includes estimated and actual state allocations for more than 200 grant programs based on the enacted FY 2024 budget. The update is available to full database subscribers only.
AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Seeks Comment on Proposed Revisions to Field Office Technical Guide for Several States The revisions would incorporate state offsite methods for wetlands identification for program eligibility purposes. Comments close August 21.
EDUCATION
Administration Approves Additional $1.2 Billion in Student Debt Relief for 35,000 Public Service Workers
Proposed Regulations Aim to Increase College Access and Quality, Strengthen Oversight of Distance Education The regulations propose changes in three areas: federal TRIO programs, distance education, and Return to Title IV (R2T4). Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Department of Education (ED) Awards More Than $1 Million to Develop Evidence-Based Models of Family Engagement and Improve Services for Children with Disabilities Three model demonstration projects at three institutions of higher education (in Connecticut, Ohio, and Virginia) will develop strategies to involve parents as partners in creating equitable and inclusive schools, with a focus on engaging with military-connected families.
Dear Colleague Letter Highlights Ways Vocational Rehabilitation Programs Can Assist Military Families
ED Issues Final Priorities and Requirements for IDEA Technical Assistance Center The department will use the priorities to award a cooperative agreement for a center to provide technical assistance (TA) to improve the capacity of states to meet the early childhood data collection and reporting requirements under Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). ED also issued a notice inviting applications for the center.
President Issues Executive Order on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions
ENERGY
DOE Posts Recap of Webinar Series on Energy Improvements for Nonprofits
DOE Releases Roadmap for New Initiative on Artificial Intelligence in Science, Security, and Technology Additional information is available here.
ENVIRONMENT
EPA Publishes Results from Regulatory Review of Existing National Primary Drinking Water Standards
HEALTH
CMS Releases Guidance on New Requirements for Provider Directories The letter outlines state Medicaid compliance with provider directory requirements in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
HRSA Launches Initiative to Build Multi-state Social Worker Licensure Compact The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced awards under the Licensure Portability Grant Program. The funding supports multiple associations as they work with state licensing boards to develop and implement state policies that reduce barriers to telehealth and allow for practice across state lines.
MedPAC Releases 2024 Health Care Spending and Medicare Data Book The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) publication provides information on Medicare spending, including dual-eligible beneficiaries and Part D prescription drug coverage.
CMS Takes Additional Steps to Increase Program Integrity of the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) CMS announced new actions to suspend and terminate agents and brokers who perform unauthorized Marketplace activity related to consumer enrollment.
CMS Posts Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances The notice covers manual instructions, regulations, and other documents published in the Federal Register from April through June 2024.
HUMAN SERVICES
ACF Posts LIHEAP Carryover and Reallotment Report for FY 2024 The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provided Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant recipients with instructions for completing the report, with estimated amounts due on August 9 and the final report on December 31.
ACF Provides Information on State-Tribe LIHEAP Agreements ACF requests that states and tribes review their agreements and determine if any changes are necessary.
ACF Posts Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Monitoring Schedule for FY 2024
ACF Awards Remaining CSBG Funds ACF released the remaining 1% of FY 2024 funding. It also redistributed unused tribal funds to states. Final state allocations are available here.
ACF Releases Technical Support on New Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Work Outcomes Measures ACF provided guidance on the new requirements implemented by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) that require states to collect and report the data needed to calculate outcome measures for work-eligible individuals who leave TANF.
ACF Accepting Application for TANF Pilot Program The FRA authorized up to five states to test new service delivery and performance measures for parents and caregivers receiving TANF assistance. Applications are due September 3.
HOMELAND SECURITY
FEMA Extends Advanced Payment Availability Under the Shelter and Services Program for FYs 2023-2024 Recipients now have 90 days (increased from 30) to disburse all advanced funding. This adjustment applies to both competitive and formula funds.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Releases Playbook for the Infrastructure Resilience Planning Framework (IRPF) The IRPF provides guidance on how local governments and the private sector can work together to plan for the security and resilience of critical infrastructure services in the face of threats. The playbook will assist state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector stakeholders in planning for the security and resilience of infrastructure in their regions.
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Launches Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Pages They can be accessed here (Lead Hazard Control) and here (Healthy Homes).
Proposed Rule Updates Terminology for State Housing Agency Housing Assistance Payments Contracts Among other changes, the proposed rule would clarify the meaning of the terms “Housing Finance Agency” and “State Agency” when HUD assumes contract administration responsibilities or assigns the contract administration responsibilities to a performance-based contract administrator. Comments close September 16.
HUD Posts FY 2024 Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Allocations A total of $214 million is being allocated.
HUD Announces Allocation Formula, Applicable Requirements, and Waivers and Suspension of Requirements for Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) This is a new form of relief that HUD can provide under the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program for areas that are identified as eligible for Individual Assistance when a major disaster is declared under the Stafford Act. Comments close September 16.
HUD Issues Additional Implementation Guidance for Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration The notice also provides requirements related to the recapture and reallocation of funds.
HUD Publishes Competitive Funding Awards The following awards were published:
- Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing
- Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program
- Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program
- Lead Risk Assessment Demonstration Grant Program
- Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants
- FY21 Foster Youth to Independence Initiative
- FY22 HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
- FY 22 Mainstream Vouchers
HUD Seeks Input on Concept of Direct Rental Assistance Some researchers, advocates, policymakers, and public housing agencies have expressed interest in testing a “direct rental assistance” model that would provide a rental housing subsidy directly to a renter, rather than providing it to a landlord. Comments close August 30.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Approves Final Rules Allowing E-Rate Funding to Support Loaning Wi-Fi Hotspots to Students, Library Patrons The commission also posted a fact sheet on the issue.
FCC Adopts Rules to Expedite Transition to Next Generation 911 The rules set deadlines for service providers to implement next-generation capabilities on their networks.
FCC Caps Call Rates for Incarcerated Persons
LABOR
Department of Labor (DOL) To Permanently Transition Data Validation, Tax Performance System Applications from the Unemployment Insurance Database Management System (UIDBMS) to the Unemployment Insurance Reporting System (UIRS) The change took effect July 15.
DOL Posts Additional Guidance for FY 2025 Unemployment Insurance State Quality Service Plan (SQSP)
NUTRITION
Economic Research Service Issues Annual Report on Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Waives Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infant Formula Maximum Monthly Allowance Requirements for Affected States Due to Tornado Damage The tornado damaged a Mead Johnson distribution center, and FNS has declared a supply chain disruption until September 1.
FNS Reminds States of Requirements for Operating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Mandatory Employment and Training Programs
FNS Seeks Comment on Information Collection for SNAP Employment Verification via National Directory of New Hires Comments close August 22.
TRANSPORTATION
National Transit Institute Announces National Transit Database (NTD) Course and Webinar Schedule The courses, which will be conducted in person and virtually, provide comprehensive, step-by-step training on completing the NTD’s annual safety and security reports. To find the relevant sessions in the link above, search for “National Transit Database.”
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to Host Webinar on $1.9 Million FY 2024 Enhancing Mobility Innovation Competitive Funding Opportunity It will be held August 1, 3:00 p.m. ET (register at the link above). The funding opportunity is here.
FTA Schedules Two Webinars to Provide an Overview of Recent Changes to Rule on Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition for Federal and Federally Assisted Programs The webinars will be held on the following dates:
TREASURY
Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Issue Updated Guidance on Required Minimum Distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Other Retirement Plans The final regulations reflect changes made by the SECURE Act and the SECURE 2.0 Act that affect retirement plan participants, IRA owners, and their beneficiaries.