Washington Report – January 22, 2024

Federal Government Funded into Early March

• At the end of last week, the President signed into law a third Congressionally approved continuing resolution (CR) keeping the federal government funded with a “laddered” approach with four federal departments funded through March 1, and the remaining funded through March 8;
• Though a topline funding number for FY24, which began Oct. 1, of $1.7T was identified and agreed to earlier this month, the individual funding levels for the 12 appropriations bills have not been set which delays appropriators from proceeding in their work;
• In addition to being months behind on FY24 appropriations work, another concern for Congress is that an automatic funding cut will happen if FY24 appropriations are not complete and signed into law;
• Last year, the Fiscal Responsibility Act was signed into law and states that if Congress fails to complete FY24 appropriations measures by April 30, or passes a year-long CR, an automatic 1% across-the-board cut to defense and domestic federal funding will occur.

DOT Creates Project Readiness Checklist

• A Project Readiness Checklist has been created by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) to guide applicants in preparing to apply to its discretionary grant programs funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA);
• The intention is to assist applicants in meeting required deadlines and to most efficiently utilize federal dollars with guidance related to staffing, financing, federal reporting systems, and requirements tied to federal funding;
• To stay on top of available federal transportation funding opportunities from IIJA, check out DOT’s Notices of Funding Opportunities;
• To learn about all IIJA funding opportunities regularly, visit APWA’s Infrastructure Law page.

APWA Sends Policymaker Primers to Leaders on Capitol Hill

• The APWA Government Affairs Team has shared the newly revamped Policymaker Primers with key Congressional committees and staff as part of its regular outreach to Capitol Hill;
• APWA’s Policymaker Primers supplement the official 118th Congress Public Policy Priorities and concern areas of major relevance to public works;
• Share the primers with colleagues, state and local officials, and your APWA chapter.

APWA Comments on EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule; Urges Members Take Action

• APWA submitted a letter supportive of reducing lead in drinking water, but also asking EPA to address issues with its proposal concerning complexity, timeline, assistance, and funding;
• Greater flexibility is likely needed to allow for appropriate adaptation as more is learned through the implementation process;
• Comments are consistent with APWA’s public policy priorities opposing unfunded mandates and supporting greater access to assistance and funding;
• APWA also would like to stress the cumulative regulatory burden from this, and other proposed rules and that corresponding relief would be beneficial if the administration wants to prioritize specifically the removal of lead service lines;
• As a public works professional and APWA member it is vital EPA hears from you, too, about regulatory proposals impacting infrastructure;
  • Take a minute to contact EPA and reiterate these concerns;
• If you aren’t receiving APWA action alerts, text PWX to 52886.

EPA Takes More Actions on PFAS Releases

• In support of our PFAS Strategic Roadmap, EPA is adding seven more PFAS to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory, meaning companies will have to report to EPA on releases and waste management practices for these chemicals;
• Also, EPA finalized a rule that requires over 300 PFAS not be used without ensuring a completed, robust safety review;
• This action is meant to stop the use of PFAS that could be harmful.

Federal Agencies Release Water/Wastewater Systems Sector Incident Response Guide

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and EPA released a Joint Incident Response Guide for the Water and Wastewater Systems Sector Guide;
• The guide was compiled with input from more than 25 water and wastewater sector organizations, including private industry, nonprofit, and government agencies;
• The guide contains information on how water utility owners and operators can readily anticipate how to work with federal partners in preparing for, responding to, and mitigating the impact of a cyber incident.

White House Announces Disaster Assistance Program Reforms

• The White House said the reforms will take place in federal disaster assistance programs primarily operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
• Planned updates to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program include
  • Providing quicker access to needed funds
  • Expanding eligibility for property and home repairs
  • Streamlining application process for survivors to jumpstart their recovery from disasters
• FEMA utilized direct feedback from survivors with the intent to create more equitable outcomes for all communities by increasing accessibility and eligibility for post-disaster support;
• FEMA anticipates the updated changes to take effect for new disasters declared on or after March 22, 2024.

FEMA to Host 2 Emergency Management Webinars

• FEMA will host a one-hour webinar, at 1 p.m. ET, Jan. 23, to provide information on the National Resource Hub (The Hub);
  • The Hub facilitates access to the resource management process, making it easier for agencies and jurisdictions to prepare for and respond to incidents, especially those that require mutual aid
  • Q&A will be at the end of the presentation
  • Visit The Hub Refresher Webinar to register
• FEMA will also host a webinar at 1 p.m. ET, Jan. 23, on survey design and distribution best practices to collect data for real-world incident after-action reviews;
  • Participants will be introduced to survey development resources available on the FEMA Preparedness Toolkit
  • To attend this webinar, register in advance at the event page on FEMA.gov.

FEMA Seeks Volunteers for Virtual BRIC National Review Panels

• FEMA is looking for volunteers from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and other federal agencies to participate in the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) virtual national review panels;
• The agency is accepting Expression of Interest forms through Feb. 15;
• Participants will leverage their mitigation experience and expertise to determine how sub-applications meet BRIC qualitative evaluation criteria;
• The virtual panels will run from April 8 through May 3 via Zoom.

On the Horizon

• Jan. 24 at 10 a.m., the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing with EPA Asst. Admin. Michal Freedhoff, PhD, on Oversight of the Toxic Substances Control Act Amendments Implementation;
• Jan. 25 at 10 a.m., the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing on the Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program-Local Perspectives on Challenges and Solutions.

Explore APWA’s Member Advocacy Tools:

• APWA Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Resource page
• APWA Government Affairs LinkedIn
• 118th Congress Public Policy Priorities and Policymaker Primers
• Legislative Action Center
• “What is Public Works?”
• Tell Your Story
• Public Works Research