Washington Report – September 16, 2024

Latest News

APWA Returns to U.S. House to Testify on New Permitting Reform

a photo of Keith Pugh testifying before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources

Past-President Keith Pugh, PE, PWLF, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources last week about next steps to reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);
Pugh, who previously testified before the committee in February 2023, reiterated that APWA supports public works being included in additional reforms, particularly a more reasonable timeline for judicial review that would allow for a more predictable and productive process;
APWA’s initial testimony helped lead to the adoption of expanding One Federal Decision and other reforms as part of the debt ceiling agreement;
If you have experience you would like to share regarding judicial review, contact APWA Government Affairs Manager Ryan McManus at rmcmanus@apwa.org. APWA staff will be continuing to engage with policymakers on this issue and are seeking informative examples.

FHWA Administrator Bhatt Leaves the Agency

a photo of FHWA Administrator Bhatt signing the 5-year MOA as APWA CEO Scott Grayson, APWA President Gary Losier, and APWA Past-President Keith Pugh observe

February 2024 – FHWA Administrator Bhatt signs the 5-year MOA as APWA CEO Scott Grayson, APWA then-President Gary Losier, and APWA Past-President Keith Pugh observe.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Shailen Bhatt has announced his resignation to accept a position in the private sector;
Deputy Administrator Kristin White becomes acting administrator
- She previously served as FHWA chief counsel
APWA worked closely with Bhatt on a new 5-year memorandum of agreement (MOA), signed this past February;
The MOA outlines 12 specific areas for APWA and FHWA to build upon a long-standing working relationship focused on sharing information, improving safety, advancing technology, infrastructure resiliency, and specific initiatives including traffic incident management.

Reconnecting Communities Institute Hosting Support Webinars

The Reconnecting Communities Institute, a U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) center providing technical assistance, resources, and economic opportunities to projects addressing transportation barriers and reconnecting communities, will hold two webinars in the next few weeks;
The first RCI webinar is Sept. 26, RCI: How We Can Help (Webinar 1) – Reconnecting Communities Institute, and the second is Oct. 8, RCI: How We Can Help (Webinar 2);
RCI supports potential grantees and grantees of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, which includes state, local governments, tribal, and territorial governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and non-profits;
The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program is currently open for applications through Sept. 30.

FEMA Announces Small State and Rural Advocate Website

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has unveiled a new Small State and Rural Advocate Web Page;
This new web page is designed to improve communication and outreach before, during and following disasters;
This includes helping states collect and present information to demonstrate severe localized impacts for a specific incident as part of a request for a disaster declaration.

FEMA Releases updated Continuity Guidance Circular

FEMA has released an updated Continuity Guidance Circular (CGC);
The CGC is a resource for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, nongovernmental organizations, private-sector entities, schools, academic institutions, and federal entities to build continuity capabilities;
The CGC outlines fundamental concepts to unify the application of continuity principles, planning, and programs in communities and jurisdictions across the nation.

DHS Announces Final FY24 Preparedness Grants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced final funding allocations for FY24 preparedness grants;
Approximately $724M through six competitive preparedness grant programs will be available through the following grants:
- $454.5M for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack;
- $90M to the Port Security Grant Program to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism;
- $83.7M towards the Transit Security Grant Program for owners and operators of public transit systems to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure;
- $81M for Operation Stonegarden to enhance cooperation and coordination among state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal law enforcement agencies to jointly enhance security along U.S. land and water borders;
- $13.5M for the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program for eligible Tribal Nations to implement preparedness initiatives to help strengthen the nation against risk associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards;
- $1.8M for the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program to owners and operators of intercity bus systems to protect surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure;
- For additional information on these grants, visit preparedness grant programs.

CISA Releases Secure Our World Opportunities Guide, Toolkit (EDIT)

The Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) has released its Secure Our World Opportunities Guide for Cybersecurity Awareness Month Guide and Toolkit;
CISA is seeking participation from state, local, territorial, and tribal partners during “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in October;
Find Cybersecurity Awareness Month resources by visiting the link above. If planning an event, or have questions, contact Marty Williams, Government Affairs Manager, at mwilliams@apwa.org or (202) 218-6732.

APWA Government Affairs IIJA FEMA Webinar Replay Available

In its eighth webinar on IIJA, the APWA Government Affairs Team hosted Valerie Boulet, executive director of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program Office (BPO) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who discussed FEMA’s implementation of this historic law and its impact on public works;
A link to the recording can be found here.

On the Horizon

All times ET.

Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) will host a virtual session of the Small Business Disaster Preparedness Series, Disaster Readiness – Small Business Continuity focused on developing business continuity plans and readying for natural and cybersecurity threats.