Federal Funding and Resources

Portal to Submit FY 24 Congressional Directed Spending Requests

shaheen logo

BLANK APPLICATION  - Senator Shaheen FY2024 CDS Requests

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION:  Submitting CDS Requests in FY24 (February 15, 2023)

YouTube Video Recording (February 15, 2023):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm1EwUXyH6g  (Duration: 52:12) 

Office of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen FY24 CDS Application Portal: www.shaheen.senate.gov/2024CDS 

Office of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen CDS Information Page: https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/congressionally-directed-spending-requests 

Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Guide:

Energy Efficiency Guide from the Office of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen: https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FINAL%20Inflation%20Reduction%20Act%20-%20Shaheen%20Resource%20Document.pdf 

Building A Clean Energy Economy: A Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Investments in Clean Energy & Climate Action: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Inflation-Reduction-Act-Guidebook.pdf

DIY Earmarks: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.popvox.com/foundation/earmarks/requestorguide_fy23.pdf

Overview of NH FY23 CDS requests that were funded: 

Questions about the FY24 CDS application process can be submitted to: appropriations_shaheen@shaheen.senate.gov 

Sample FY22 application that was considered favorably by reviewers: https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/John%20Doe%20Anytown%20CDS%20Application.p

The portal to submit FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests to the Office of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen is now open.

Senator Shaheen's office will be accepting CDS applications until Friday, March 10th.  

To access the FY24 CDS application portal, please click HERE.

 In FY 2022, Senator Shaheen secured $69,047,000 for New Hampshire projects.

In FY 2023, Senator Shaheen secured $111,359,972 for 105 New Hampshire projects.

CDS Resources:

us treasury logo

Treasury is pleased to announce the Office of Recovery Programs Contact Center will be reopening starting on February 21, 2023. 

As you know, the Contact Center closed last year due to an administrative funding shortfall, which impacted Treasury’s ability to provide support to recipients of funding from the Office of Recovery Programs. However, late last year Congress provided additional resources for the Office of Recovery Programs in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. As a result, Treasury is able to reopen the Contact Center in order to better support recipients by answering their phone and email inquiries. 

However, for faster service, Treasury continues to encourage recipients to use Self-Service Resources as the first step for all questions and inquiries. If questions cannot be resolved through these Self-Service Resources, recipients may reach out to the Contact Center for questions related to recovery programs as follows starting on February 21: 

•    State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: SLFRF@treasury.gov or call (844) 529-9527
•    Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency: LATCF@treasury.gov or call (844) 529-9527
•    Emergency Rental Assistance program: EmergencyRentalAssistance@treasury.gov or 877-398-5861
•    Homeowners Assistance Fund: For states and territories: HAF@treasury.gov; for tribes: HAF_Tribal@treasury.gov; or 877-398-5861

The next required reporting for local ARPA funds will be due by April 30, 2023 for ARPA expenditures through *March 31, 2023*   

 ​Treasury's Portal:  https://portal.treasury.gov/compliance

Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook for Clean Energy and Climate Programs

clean energy guidebook

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, marking the most significant action Congress has taken on clean energy and climate change in the nation’s history. The Inflation Reduction Act builds on the foundational climate and clean energy actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration and investments secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), signed in November of 2021.

This guidebook, Building a Clean Energy Economy, provides an overview of the clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives and investment programs in President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, including who is eligible to apply for funding and for what activities. The Biden-Harris Administration is working quickly to design, develop, and implement these programs; as such, the information in this guidebook is current as of publication. In the coming weeks and months, we will publish new developments on www.CleanEnergy.gov to keep stakeholders and potential beneficiaries of these programs up to date on the latest deadlines and details. This guidebook does not cover the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care provisions or certain corporate tax reforms.

The guidebook groups the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax incentives and investment programs into thematic chapters and explains how the law will deliver on the President’s commitments to the American people. Each chapter outlines the significance of these programs and includes a one-page summary of each program’s eligible uses, potential beneficiaries, and other important information. Given the cross-cutting nature of energy and climate issues, many of these Inflation Reduction Act programs and tax provisions could fall under more than one chapter. For ease of presentation, each program or provision is featured only once in the guidebook. 

The White House has this website detailing the programs under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Additionally, this fact sheet from the House Ways and Means Committee is a good primer on the individual/household tax credits and rebates under the IRA. 

Spreadsheet of Funding Opportunities

Along with the guidebook, the White House also released a downloadable, searchable spreadsheet to navigate the various funding opportunities.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

The US Department of Energy came out with a Notice of Intent on distributing the $550 million through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program under the IIJA. Program funding is going to states and to certain units of local government in each state that qualify for formula grant funding. There are 20 units of local government that qualify in NH. This includes all ten counties and ten municipalities - Concord, Derry, Dover, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Nashua, Rochester, and Salem.

NHDOE is working on a website to advertise some of the funding opportunities with relevant program documents.  Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs for Municipalities | NH Department of Energy

 There are other funding opportunities for local governments to consider for projects:

  • IIJA opportunities: NHDOE has created a webpage to advertise select funding opportunities. Local governments are encouraged to review it.
  • NHDOE rebates and competitive grants: NHDOE offers a variety of rebates and competitive grant opportunities for renewable energy projects. More can be found here.
  • NHSaves: this program offers a variety of rebates and financial incentives for energy efficiency.
  • USDA Rural Development: Offers a variety of grant/loan programs for community facilities in rural areas.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG): 

Finding Grant Programs

If you are just entering the realm of grants and government funding, it can feel overwhelming trying to find the right program for you or your organization. When considering grants, these programs can be broadly categorized as those awarded by the federal government and those awarded by non-federal entities. Within these two categories are a variety of funding sources and program types.

https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-programs.html

Federal Grants, Funding & Benefit Programs

To sort through the federal grant programs, the authoritative source is the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). This catalog lists all of the available funding programs to all levels of government, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and other eligible entities. 

Search Grants within Grants.gov allows you to search, filter, and apply for specific opportunities to receive funding from one of these programs.

Association of Washington Cities (AWC) hosted three webinars in 2022 that included state and federal agencies managing BIL programs. Below are links to the recordings and slides.

Additionally, we published (and continue to update) a BIL-specific website that provides cities with direct access to funding opportunities, upcoming events, and pertinent resources.

AWC also coordinated with our state Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) to host a grant writing webinar in February 2023. 

ARPA SLFRF REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE 

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill. Within the ARPA, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSLFRF) provides $350 billion for states, municipalities, counties, tribes, and territories, including $130 billion for local governments split evenly between municipalities and counties. This webpage provides important information for cities and towns in New Hampshire on ARPA and the CSLFRF. 

IMPORTANT NOTICES for NEU's 

  • NHMA encourages NEUs to move slowly on making decisions about expenditure of their funds. There is no rush to spend funds (funds may be spent or obligated through December 31, 2024; funds obligated by that date may be spent through December 31, 2026). NHMA encourages NEUs to take time to learn about the eligible uses and reporting requirements and assess and determine the highest and best use of funds through careful vetting and after receiving public comment on proposed uses.  

All cities and towns have now received both tranches of American Rescue Plan Act Funding through the SLFRF Program. The next mandatory report to Treasury will be due April 30, 2023. The U.S. Department of the Treasury had recommended that all ARPA recipients with an award less than $10 million should elect the "Standard Allowance" for revenue loss and spend their funds on the "provision of government services" (Expenditure Category 6.1 Revenue Replacement).  This approach provides the greatest flexibility in spending these dollars and simplicity in reporting.  

 *If your municipality did not elect the "Standard Allowance" for revenue loss during the last reporting period then it may do so through the April 30, 2023. *  

Revenue Loss (Expenditure Category 6.1) - For towns and cities elected the standard allowance and will spend their funds on the "general provisions of government services" (Expenditure Category 6.1 Revenue Replacement), please continue to refer to relevant sections of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) that apply to the use of these funds.  Please refer to the 2 CFR Part 200 Desk Reference provided by the State of NH. 

 Desk Reference for New Hampshire Recipients of LFR Funds:  Complying with Federal Uniform Guidelines, GOFERR, Last Updated January 25, 2022 (15 pages) 

NEUs, as recipients of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, were required to submit project and expenditure reports by April 30, even if no funds were expended, according to the Final Rule Guidance. The Treasury Department has acknowledged, however, that some NEUs continue to have technical and administrative issues with submitting their mandatory reporting. If you have not successfully submitted your first report, please contact the Treasury immediately at SLFRF@treasury.gov. According to Treasury, a record of late reporting could lead to a finding of non-compliance, which could result in development of a corrective action plan, or other consequences. (Source: Project and Expenditure Report User Guide, Appendix F FAQ, Q 1.17.) 

Treasury Resource Links 

Treasury's Portal:  https://portal.treasury.gov/compliance 

NEU Steps for April 30, 2023 Reporting:  

  • Create a Login.gov user account.  (Follow instructions HERE) 
  • Access Treasury’s Portal. (Link to Treasury's Portal HERE)   
  • Assign/Designate Roles in the Portal. (The Account Administrator is the only role that can do this) 
  • The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards ("Uniform Guidance") apply to the LFRF. These include, but are not limited to: 
  • Contracts must follow federal procurement rules and cost principles. 
  • Cities/towns may enter into Grant Agreements with subrecipients (such as to broadband suppliers, water 
    departments, or school districts that serve multiple NEUs). Cities/towns are responsible for monitoring and 
    reporting on subrecipient use of LFRF funds. 
  • Single Audit requirements apply to subrecipients who receive in the aggregate more than $750,000 in federal funds for the year. 
  • For the full text of applicable requirements, see Title 2, Part 200 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 

Materials from GOFERR/Guidehouse: 

  • Subrecipients v. Contractors 
  • States are required to report how funds are used and how their tax revenue was modified during the time that funds were spent during the covered period (covered period begins on March 3, 2021, and ends on the last day of the fiscal year a state or local government has expended or returned all funds to the U.S. Treasury). 
  • If a state, county or municipality does not comply with any provision of this bill, they will be required to repay the U.S. Treasury an equal amount to the funds used in violation. 

"Agreements" - Grant Awards Documents 

  • Award Terms and Conditions.  This is your grant agreement.  This document was signed by the Authorized Representative for your municipality and dated when your municipality received the first tranche of funding in August of 2021 and was submitted to GOFERR.  
  • Assurance of Compliance with Civil Rights Requirements. This document was signed by the Authorized Representative for your municipality and dated when your municipality received the first tranche of funding in August of 2021 and was submitted to GOFERR.  

Competitive Infrastructure Funding Opportunities for Local Governments Established by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Transportation

  • Rebuilding American Infrastructure Sustainably and Equitably (RAISE) Grants– This existing competitive grant program at the Department of Transportation provides $7.5 billion with an additional $7.5 billion subject to Congressional approval in funding for road, rail, transit, and other surface transportation of local and/or regional significance. Selection criteria safety, sustainability, equity, economic competitiveness, mobility, and community connectivity. Applications will open in the first quarter of 2022. 
  • Port Infrastructure Development Program Grants – This existing $2 billion Department of Transportation program funds investment in the modernization and expansion of U.S. ports to remove supply chain bottlenecks, ensure long-term competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability while reducing impacts to the environment and neighboring communities. The infrastructure law expanded the program’s eligibilities to include projects that improve goods movement, as well as port electrification projects, idling reduction solutions, equipment charging infrastructure and related worker training initiatives. The Department of Transportation expects to open applications in February 2022.
  • Bus & Bus Facilities Competitive Grants – This existing $2 billion program at the Department of Transportation provides capital funding to replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease buses and bus related equipment and to rehabilitate, purchase, construct, or lease bus-related facilities – as well as capital funding for low or no emissions bus projects. Fiscal Year 2021 grant selections will be announced soon. Applications are expected to open for the Fiscal Year 2022 grant program in the first quarter of 2022.
  • National Infrastructure Project Assistance (also known as “Megaprojects” or MEGA)– This $5 billion competitive grant program supports multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects of regional or national significance. Communities are eligible to apply for funding to complete critical large projects that would otherwise be unachievable without assistance. Selection criteria for the program will be posted on the Department of Transportation website in February 2022.
  • Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants – This Department of Transportation program supports highway and rail projects of regional and economic significance. Applications will open in the first quarter of 2022. Learn more about how to apply here.
  • Safe Streets and Roads for All – This new $5 billion competitive grant program at the Department of Transportation will provide funding directly to and exclusively for local governments to support their efforts to advance “vision zero” plans and other complete street improvements to reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. Applications are expected to open in May 2022.
  • Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants – In addition to the $5 billion formula program distributed to states, this $2.5 billion discretionary grant program at the Department of Transportation will fund the strategic deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure, along designated alternative fuel corridors and in communities.  The Department is seeking comments on program design by January 28th here, and after January 28th here.
  • Clean School Bus Program – This new $5 billion competitive grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide funding to replace existing school buses with low- or zero-emission school buses. Applications for funding will be made available here later this spring.
  • Reconnecting Communities – The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law creates a first-ever $1 billion program at the Department of Transportation to reconnect communities divided by transportation infrastructure – particularly historically disadvantaged communities too often nearly destroyed or cut in half by a highway. This new competitive program will provide dedicated funding to state, local, metropolitan planning organizations, and tribal governments for planning, design, demolition, and reconstruction of street grids, parks, or other infrastructure to address these legacy impacts. Applications will open in the second quarter of 2022.
  • Rural Surface Transportation Grant - This new $2 billion competitive grant program at the Department of Transportation will improve and expand surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas, increasing connectivity, improving safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth. This amount includes specific set asides for small projects ($200 million), rural roadway lane departure improvements ($300 million), and the Appalachian Development Highway System ($500 million). Applications will open in the first quarter of 2022. 

Climate, Energy & Environment

  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program – This existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program will distribute $1 billion to support communities undertaking hazard mitigation projects to reduce the risks they face from disasters and other natural hazards. FY21 applications are open until January 28th, 2022 and hundreds of millions of dollars in funding remains available. Communities will apply as sub-applicants under their states. Applications for FY22 are expected to open no later than September 30th, 2022.
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance – $3.5 billion from this existing FEMA program can be used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. FY21 applications are open until January 28th, 2022. Communities will apply as sub-applicants under their states. Applications for FY22 are expected to open no later than September 30th, 2022.
  • Brownfields Remediation Program – This existing EPA program will provide $1.2 billion in grants and technical assistants to communities to assess and safely clean-up contaminated properties and offer job training programs. Communities are currently able to request funding for Targeted Brownfields Assessments through their regional EPA office. Additional competitive funding opportunities will be announced this spring.  
  • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants – This Department of Energy block grant program will provide $550 million to states, local governments, and tribes for projects that reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency, and cut pollution. The first funding opportunity is expected for release in the Fall of 2022.  
  • Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements in Schools – This new Department of Energy Program will provide $500 million for local government education agencies and nonprofit partners to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean vehicle upgrades and improvements at public schools. The opportunity to apply for funding is expected to be open in the Fall of 2022.
  • Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas – This new Department of Energy program will provide $1 billion to entities in rural or remote areas (defined as cities, towns, or unincorporated areas with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants) to increase environmental protection from the impacts of energy use and improve resilience, reliability, safety, and availability of energy. Applications for funding are expected to be open in the Fall of 2022.  

Federal Energy Resources for Individuals and Homeowners

2022 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, FEMA Region 1, Application Development Workshop Schedule

Notice of Funding Opportunity

grants

DHS/CISA announced a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity grant program specifically for state, local, and territorial (SLT) governments across the country. This State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, made possible thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $1 billion in funding to SLT partners over four years, with $185 million available for FY22, to support SLT efforts to address cyber risk to their information systems. With this funding, SLT governments will be better equipped to address cybersecurity risks, strengthen the cybersecurity of their critical infrastructure, and ensure resilience against persistent cyber threats for the services SLT governments provide their communities.  

With the release of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), DHS has opened the application process for the grant program.

Applicants have 60 days to apply for a grant, which can be used to fund new or existing cybersecurity programs.   

For more information and helpful resources on the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, visit CISA’s webpage here www.cisa.gov/cybergrants. 

Check out the Local Infrastructure Hub

infrastructure hub

On May 17, 2022, the National League of Cities (NLC), in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, announced the Local Infrastructure Hub: Support for U.S. Cities and Towns to Put Federal Funding to Work for Residents, a national program to ensure that all cities and towns can access federal infrastructure funding to drive local recovery, improve communities, and deliver results for residents. With a $50 million initial investment, the Hub will bring together nonprofits, city networks, academics, and policy experts to provide direct support to communities as they develop applications, including: one-on-one coaching, webinars, on-demand answers to pressing questions, data analysis, guidance from issue experts on a range of infrastructure-related topics, and easily accessible information on the rules and timeframes for specific funding opportunities.

Six months after President Biden signed the more than $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, local governments are eligible for billions of dollars in funding to support projects that range from transforming ports and parks to rural broadband and help tackle challenges like climate change and racial wealth inequity. But with nearly 400 separate grant that will open applications over the next 24 months, many communities will struggle to identify and apply for all the funding available to them. The Local Infrastructure Hub brings together leading experts in policy and innovation in a program that includes information, resources, and technical assistance to help cities access this once-in-a-lifetime funding opportunity.

The Local Infrastructure Hub is a national program designed to connect cities and towns with the resources and expert advice they need to access federal infrastructure funding in order to drive local progress, improve communities, and deliver results for residents.

The Local Infrastructure Hub is a national program designed to connect cities and towns with resources and expert advice they need to access federal infrastructure funding in order to drive local programs, improve communities, and deliver results for residents.

Bootcamps Available to Help Small Towns Take Advantage of Grant Opportunities

 

 The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Local Infrastructure Hub are hosting a series of free bootcamp trainings for small and mid-sized cities. The bootcamps are designed to help cities with populations under 150,000 develop strong applications for federal infrastructure grant opportunities.

Submitting strong applications for federal infrastructure money can be challenging for small and mid-sized cities, towns, and villages. To assist underserved local governments with populations of approximately 150,000 or less, the Local Infrastructure Hub is offering a series of bootcamps. The bootcamps are designed to help small and mid-sized local governments take advantage of the grant opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Learn more:  https://localinfrastructure.org/application-bootcamp/

 ARPA Funds & The Broadband Planning Network

The New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) has partnered with the National Collaborative for Digital Equity (NCDE), founded and based in New Hampshire, to help communities that are interested in using Local and Fiscal Recovery Funds (LFRF) to improve broadband.  NHMA and NCDE are working together to bring interested members the opportunity to join an NHMA/NCDE broadband planning network and to undertake broadband investment planning together.  

Overview of the Broadband Planning Network
NCDE proposes that interested members allocate to NCDE a portion of their municipality’s ARPA Local Relief Funds (based on population, see below) to join the broadband investment planning network, whose priorities will be to: (1) assist the participating municipalities to develop one or more joint broadband investment funding proposals, (2) design investment plans to support for-profit and nonprofit business models that incorporate affordable pricing (<$15/month) for low- and moderate-income households; (3) assist participating municipalities to become “Broadband Ready” communities while developing NHMA’s capability to provide this support as an ongoing support to members generally; and (4) other broadband projects as deemed fundable.   

Broadband planning network cost schedule, based on population

25-4,999: $5,000

5,000-9,999: $7,500

10,000 and greater: $10,000

Please note that NHMA receives a fee for each municipality that joins the broadband planning network with NCDE. 

Please complete this form if you are interested in learning more about the NCDE broadband opportunity.  

 State Aid to Municipalities FAQ 

SB 401 and HB 1221 

Revised July 26, 2022 

The 2022 legislative session resulted in significant revenue sharing and state aid to local governments in a non-budget year. With the state reporting a record surplus of funds this fiscal year, SB 401 and HB 1221 are intended to provide one-time property tax relief through direct payments to cities and towns. This FAQ explains how SB 401 and HB 1221 will impact the local budget.  

SB 401 

SB 401, , will provide immediate infrastructure resources to cities and towns. Using state general fund surplus generated in fiscal year 2022, this bill appropriates $36 million for the repair and maintenance of municipally-owned bridges, $30 million in additional municipal highway block grants, and $1 million toward the body worn and dashboard camera fund.  

What is the municipal distribution formula for roads and bridges? Every municipality with a municipally-owned bridge will receive a share of the $36 million allocated for the repair, maintenance, and construction in addition to any state or federal funds committed or available for bridge projects. No 20 percent match is required. SB 401 will use the highway block grant formula and apply it to both the $36 million in bridge funding to the $30 million allocated for roads. 

  • Highway Block Grants. The $30 million allocated for roads will follow the Department of Transportation “Apportionment A” formula used when calculating the annual highway block grant each municipality receives. Therefore, funds will be distributed among the municipalities based on their population in proportion to the entire state’s population and the other half is disbursed based on a municipality’s Class IV and V road mileage in proportion to the total statewide Class IV and V mileage. The additional funds will be distributed in a lump sum by mid-August. Each municipality will receive their allocation in the same manner as their Quarter 1 payment. The distribution amount for each municipality can be found HERE. 
  • Municipally-Owned Bridge Allocation. The appropriation for bridges will be based on a similar 50/50 formula, where $18 million will be distributed based on a municipality’s deck area proportional to the total deck area for municipally-owned bridges, and $18 million will be distribution based on a municipality’s total share of the state population. The bridge payment is anticipated to be a lump sum payment which we can expect closer to year end. The distribution amount for each municipality can be found HERE. 
  • What can this money be used for? SB 401 will provide funding with restricted uses, meaning that it may be used to supplement (not supplant) local budgets; The “supplement not supplant” provision requires that these funds must add to (supplement) and not replace (supplant) local budgeted funds when providing services that repair, maintain, and construct municipal bridges; repair and maintain class IV and V roads; or acquire the equipment necessary to maintain Class IV and V roads. 

Body & Dash Cameras. Municipalities can apply for this grant and be reimbursed up to $50,000 for the purchase of body-worn or dashboard cameras, software maintenance for the cameras, and maintenance and storage of data related to the cameras. SB 401 would appropriate $1 million dollars toward this fund. 

  • How can a municipality accept and expend these funds? The bill allows all three categories of funds to be considered “unanticipated revenue.” Therefore, a municipality may accept and expend the funds under the provisions of RSA 31:95-b, II-IV, whether or not a municipality has adopted that statute.  For unanticipated money in the amount of $10,000 or more, RSA 31:95-b requires the governing body to hold a public hearing on the action to be taken, with notice of the time, place and subject of the hearing published at least seven days before the hearing is held. For unanticipated money less than $10,000, the governing body must post notice of the funds in the agenda and include notice in the minutes of the public meeting at which the money is discussed. 

HB 1221 

HB 1221 will provide a one-time payment by the state equal to 7.5 percent (estimated $27 million) of the New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) employer contribution costs for Group I teachers and Group II police and firefighters in state fiscal year 2023. These state payments will be issued to each town or city as a reimbursement. Each city and town is expected to budget and pay 100 percent of their NHRS employer costs, and the state will issue a reimbursement equaling 7.5 percent of eligible Group I and Group II employer contribution costs. NHRS actuaries will calculate the reimbursement amount due to each municipal employer.  Now that this bill has been signed into law, we are awaiting guidance from the DRA. It is anticipated that these funds will be reported as revenue on the MS 434 and be recorded as part of the tax rate certification process.  

NHMA will continue to provide updated information and guidance on SB 401 and HB 1221 as it becomes available to us. 

Questions?  
 
Please contact NHMA at 603.224.7447 or governmentaffairs@nhmunicipal.org