Washington Report – October 2, 2023

Federal Government Funded to Nov. 17

• Over the weekend, Congress passed, and the President signed H.R.5860, the Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2024, and for other purposes;
• The continuing resolution (CR) also extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and includes $16B for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF);
• With enactment of this legislation, the federal government will continue to operate under current funding levels through Nov. 17.

California Governor Names Appointment to U.S. Senate

• Following the death of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Laphonza Butler to serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which runs through 2024;
• Butler is the President of Emily’s list;
• She could be sworn in as soon as Oct. 3.

APWA Provides Feedback on Changes to NEPA Process

• APWA submitted a letter providing comments on proposed revisions by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process;
• Comments included support for implementation of the streamlining provisions that expanded use of One Federal Decision, were included in the debt ceiling agreement, and for which APWA Immediate Past- President Keith Pugh testified in favor of in February;
• Concerns about other provisions that were not part of that agreement wrapped around climate and environmental justice provisions, which, depending on implementation, could negate the benefits of the streamlining provisions;
• APWA reiterated other beneficial improvements to the NEPA process not included by CEQ.

DOT Announces Funding for Large Bridge Project Grants—Due Nov. 27

• The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has published a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) from IIJA, and applications are due Nov. 27;
• A project with total eligible costs of at least $100M can apply for award under the Bridge Investment Program;
• A state or group of states, metropolitan planning organizations serving an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or more, a local government or group of local governments are amongst those eligible to apply;
• More information is available at Large Bridge Project Grants.

Funding Opportunity Open for FY 2023 SMART Grants—Due Oct. 10

• Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant funding is intended for implementing technologies like connected vehicles, traffic signals, systems integration, smart grid, and more;
• In FY 2022, IIJA provided SMART grant funding for 59 projects and $94M to eligible entities that include states, political subdivisions (local governments) of a state, metropolitan planning organizations, and others;
• For additional information and application instructions — Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program.

NHTSA: Traffic Deaths Down in 2023

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report showing that, for a 5th straight quarter, the number of traffic-related deaths in the U.S. has declined;
• An estimated 19,515 people died in traffic related incidents in the first two quarters of 2023;
• IIJA includes funding for safety investments, and DOT offers initiatives to address risky driver behaviors, protect vulnerable road users, and support better and safer road design;
• APWA prioritizes safety as a key pillar in our Transportation priorities for the 118th Congress.

EPA Announces $20M for Water Workforce Development

• The EPA is announcing the availability of more than $20M through the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program to support training for workers who protect and treat our nation’s drinking water and provide critical wastewater services;
• The program supports collaboration among federal, state, and local governments and institutions of higher education, apprentice programs, labor organizations, high schools, and other community-based organizations to provide access to workforce opportunities and build career pipelines in the water sector through six program areas:
  • Targeted internships apprenticeships for skilled water utility trades
  • Education programs for elementary, secondary, and higher education students
  • Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to hire qualified candidates
  • Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that support career advancement
  • Education and training programs designed for decentralized (septic) water workers to support public health for communities that rely on private wells for drinking water or septic systems
  • Training and development for workforce programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants to benefit disadvantaged communities
• Questions about applying must be received by Oct. 17 and may be submitted by emailing waterworkforceRFA@epa.gov. Applications are due Nov. 17.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

• CISA will again serve as the lead federal agency during Cybersecurity Awareness Month;
• Each week, CISA will highlight one of the four key pillars, which are:
  • Strong passwords – Use passwords that are long, random, and unique to each account, and use a password manager to generate and save them
  • Multifactor authentication – Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts
  • Recognize and report phishing – Think before you click! Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking you for personal information
  • Update software – Enable automatic software updates so the latest security patches keep devices protected
• The White House, in keeping with past practice, has issued a proclamation for the month.

CISA Announces Public Awareness Campaign

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced a new public awareness campaign Secure Our World during a kick-off event in Washington, D.C., which APWA Government Affairs staff attended;
• Highlights of the event:
  • The release of CISA’s first-ever PSA with tips on staying safe online
  • Keynote address from CISA Director Jen Easterly, during which she covered the four key pillars of the campaign

CISA Releases Security Planning Workbook

• CISA also released its Security Planning Workbook;
• This workbook provides a roadmap for individuals or groups, including critical infrastructure owner-operators charged with preparing, and carrying out of their organization’s security planning efforts.

White House Releases National Climate Resilience Framework

• The White House has released its National Climate Resilience Framework;
• This report offers recommendations on how communities may address climate challenges, and it focuses on the following six objectives:
  • Embed climate resilience into planning and management
  • Increase resilience of the built environment to acute climate shocks and chronic stressors
  • Mobilize capital, investment, and innovation to advance climate resilience
  • Equip communities with information and resources to assess their climate risks and develop appropriate climate resilience solutions
  • Protect and sustainably manage lands and waters to enhance resilience while providing other benefits
  • Help communities become not only more resilient, but also more safe, healthy, equitable, and economically strong
• The framework is the result of Executive Order (EO) 14096 – Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, which directed all federal agencies to work towards better protecting communities from the increasing impacts of climate change.

DHS Releases 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment Guide

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment Guide;
• This guide provides an overview of potential threats that may impact areas, including:
  • Critical infrastructure
  • Public safety
  • Economic security.

September IIJA Webinar Available On-Demand

• The APWA Government Affairs Team’s September webinar with Joe Jarrin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Finance and Budget at DOT, where he demonstrated the DOT Navigator Tool is available;
• The DOT Navigator Tool is the agency’s newest resource to help communities understand how to apply for IIJA grants;
• Watch a recording of the webinar and share it with your friends, family, colleagues, and others interested in public works.

On the Horizon

All times ET.

• Oct. 4 at 2:20 p.m. – the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA);
  • WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, are within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should receive the test message;
  • The EAS portion of the test will last one minute and be conducted by radio and television broadcasters; cable systems; and satellite radio, television, and wireline video providers.

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