Washington Report – November 13, 2023

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Washington Report will be published next on Nov. 27. APWA Government Affairs wishes you and yours a safe and wonderful holiday. 

Current Funding CR Expires Nov. 17

• The federal government is operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that will expire Nov. 17;
• If another CR or omnibus spending package(s) are not passed in time, a portion of the federal government, non-emergency and advanced appropriations items will be shutdown;
• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) is proposing a two-tiered approach to the budget which, if enacted, would fund a portion of the federal government until Jan. 19 and the remainder until Feb. 2;
• The Speaker is planning a House vote Tuesday, though it is unclear at this point whether it can pass the full House or where the Senate may stand on the proposal;
• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is also working on a separate short-term funding plan and is expected to unveil it early this week;
• According to published reports this weekend, the Speaker shared with the Republican caucus that if the two-tier approach doesn’t pass, he would like to vote on a 1-year continuing resolution with cuts across the board, except for defense;
• The Speaker has also publicly stated he will not support a massive omnibus spending bill;
• Follow us on X and LinkedIn for developments throughout the week.

CRSW Kicks-off Nov. 13

• Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW), Nov. 13-17, starts today with a webinar to recognize crash responders;
• Register here for the 1 p.m. ET event;
• APWA is an active member of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)-supported Executive Leadership Group for Traffic Incident Management, which will also be holding a quarterly meeting this week;
• APWA President Gary Losier has issued a video;
• TIM Training is hosted by TIM trainers (public works, fire, police, emergency medical services, tow truck operators) across the country and is important to protecting these professionals and the traveling public during traffic incidents;
• Be sure to share your #CRSW stories, events, and comments on social media and tag APWA and APWA Government Affairs.

Accelerated Innovation Deployment Funding Available

• FHWA has announced a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) grants;
• AID demonstration grants are intended to incentivize an accelerated adoption and deployment of innovative technologies and practices for highway transportation projects;
• Local governments and metropolitan planning organizations are eligible applicants as subrecipients of departments of transportation, and projects must be eligible for assistance under Title 23 of the U.S. Code;
• Funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and is implemented through the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program;
• At grants.gov, the stages for applications and types of projects, and more detailed eligibility information may be found.

White House Announces Interagency Agreement on Wildfire Risks

• The White House has announced the signing of an interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding wildfire;
• MOU signatories include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
• The MOU emphasizes efforts to:
  • Advance public health preparedness
  • Improve data collection and sharing
  • Minimize smoke impacts to the public
  • Work within the guidelines of the Clean Air Act to accommodate greater use of prescribed fire burns.

CISA Releases Emergency Services Sector COVID-19 After Action Review

• The Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) Emergency Services Sector (ESS) COVID-19 After Action Review came out last week;
• The review recognizes the contributions of public works professionals as they were largely responsible for the maintenance, and sanitation of public areas during the shutdown;
• Public works professionals are included among the ESS, with APWA being an active participant of the ESS;
• APWA input is reflected within the review.

FEMA Releases Cyber Incident Guide for Emergency Managers

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a Planning Considerations for Cyber Incidents – Guidance for Emergency Managers;
• The guide includes information about:
  • Understanding the types of cyber incidents likely to occur
  • Engaging service owners and operators
  • Identifying cyber dependent critical services and related dependencies
  • Developing a cyber incident response plan.

FEMA Announces $211M in Dam Safety Grants

• FEMA has opened the application period for up to $211M in grants for dam safety;
• Funding is authorized through IIJA;
• Grants are available to non-federal governments and nonprofits for the technical expertise, planning, design, and construction needed to rehabilitate eligible, non-federal high hazard potential dams:
  • Approximately $733M will be available through two dam safety programs over five years to help state, territorial and local governments take action to address dam upkeep and safety;
    • This year, through the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams program, $185M is available
    • Also, through the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant program, $26M is available
• The deadline to apply is Feb. 29.

On the Horizon

All times ET.

• Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m., the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife & Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on the Water Data Improvement Act, Urban Canal Modernization Act, and Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act or MAPWaters Act
• Nov. 14 at 2:45 p.m, the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Emerging Threats & Spending Oversight will hold a hearing on Examining Federal COVID-Era Spending and Preventing Future Fraud.

Explore APWA’s Member Advocacy Tools:

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