U.S. Treasury Department Releases Directive on American Rescue Plan Funds by ACWA Staff May 11, 2021 Water News WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday released an Interim Final Rule on the implementation of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the American Rescue Plan. The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11 and established both the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. These Funds will provide support to state, territorial, and Tribal governments, as well as counties, metropolitan cities, and non-entitlement units of local governments in responding to the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. The Interim Final Rule will become effective upon official publication, without an initial public comment period. Instead, public comment will be sought after the Interim Final Rule is published in the Federal Register. Treasury may then revise the rule based on public input. To date, the Interim Final Rule has not been published in the Federal Register. Treasury has offered a list of specific questions to facilitate public comment, including questions focused on water infrastructure. The Interim Final Rule and the discussion questions for public comment can be viewed on Treasury’s website. Details on the timing of the forthcoming comment period are still pending. ACWA staff is tracking this issue closely and will be working with members to develop comments as more information becomes available. For more information on the American Rescue Plan or the Interim Final Rule for the Coronavirus State and Local Funds, please contact Federal Relations Representative Madeline Voitier.