(a) In general. Subject to §§ 35.7 and 35.8, a recipient may use funds for one or more of the purposes described in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section.

(b) Responding to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts. A recipient may use funds to respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts if the use meets the criteria provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section or is enumerated in paragraph (b)(3) of this section; provided that, in the case of a use of funds for a capital expenditure under paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(3) of this section, the use of funds must also meet the criteria provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section. Treasury may also articulate additional eligible programs, services, or capital expenditures from time to time that satisfy the eligibility criteria of this paragraph (b), which shall be eligible under this paragraph (b).

(1) Identifying eligible responses to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts.

(i) A program, service, or capital expenditure is eligible under this paragraph (b)(1) if a recipient identifies a harm or impact to a beneficiary or class of beneficiaries caused or exacerbated by the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts and the program, service, or capital expenditure responds to such harm.

(ii) A program, service, or capital expenditure responds to a harm or impact experienced by an identified beneficiary or class of beneficiaries if it is reasonably designed to benefit the beneficiary or class of beneficiaries that experienced the harm or impact and is related and reasonably proportional to the extent and type of harm or impact experienced.

(2) Identified harms: presumptions of impacted and disproportionately impacted beneficiaries. A recipient may rely on the following presumptions to identify beneficiaries presumptively impacted or disproportionately impacted by the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts for the purpose of providing a response under paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(3) of this section:

(i) Households or populations that experienced unemployment; experienced increased food or housing insecurity; qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.), Childcare Subsidies through the Child Care and Development Fund Program (42 U.S.C. § 9857 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 618), or Medicaid (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.); if funds are to be used for affordable housing programs, qualify for the National Housing Trust Fund (12 U.S.C. § 4568) or the Home Investment Partnerships Program (42 U.S.C. § 12721 et seq.); if funds are to be used to address impacts of lost instructional time for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, any student who did not have access to in-person instruction for a significant period of time; and low- and moderate-income households and populations are presumed to be impacted by the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts;

(ii) The general public is presumed to be impacted by the public health emergency for the purposes of providing the uses set forth in paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) and (b)(3)(i)(C) of this section; and

(iii) The following households, communities, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations are presumed to be disproportionately impacted by the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts:

(A) Households and populations residing in a qualified census tract; households and populations receiving services provided by Tribal governments; households and populations residing in the territories; households and populations receiving services provided by territorial governments; low-income households and populations; households that qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (42 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.), Free and Reduced Price School Lunch and/or Breakfast programs (42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 1773), Medicare Part D Low-income Subsidies (42 U.S.C. §§ 1395w-114), Supplemental Security Income (42 U.S.C. § 1381 et seq.), Head Start (42 U.S.C. § 9831 et seq.), Early Head Start (42 U.S.C. § 9831 et seq.), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (42 U.S.C. § 1786), Section 8 Vouchers (42 U.S.C. § 1437f), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (42 U.S.C. § 8621 et seq.), Pell Grants (20 U.S.C. § 1070a), and, if SLFRF funds are to be used for services to address educational disparities, Title I eligible schools;

(B) Small businesses operating in a qualified census tract, operated by Tribal governments or on Tribal lands, or operating in the territories; and

(C) Nonprofit organizations operating in a qualified census tract, operated by Tribal governments or on Tribal lands, or operating in the territories.

(3) Enumerated eligible uses: responses presumed reasonably proportional. A recipient may use funds to respond to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts on a beneficiary or class of beneficiaries for one or more of the following purposes unless such use is grossly disproportionate to the harm caused or exacerbated by the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts:

(i) Responding to the public health impacts of the public health emergency for purposes including:

(A) COVID-19 mitigation and prevention in a manner that is consistent with recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including vaccination programs and incentives; testing programs; contact tracing; isolation and quarantine; mitigation and prevention practices in congregate settings; acquisition and distribution of medical equipment for prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including personal protective equipment; COVID-19 prevention and treatment expenses for public hospitals or health care facilities, including temporary medical facilities; establishing or enhancing public health data systems; installation and improvement of ventilation systems in congregate settings, health facilities, or other public facilities; and assistance to small businesses, nonprofits, or impacted industries to implement mitigation measures;

(B) Medical expenses related to testing and treating COVID-19 that are provided in a manner consistent with recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including emergency medical response expenses, treatment of long-term symptoms or effects of COVID-19, and costs to medical providers or to individuals for testing or treating COVID-19;

(C) Behavioral health care, including prevention, treatment, emergency or first-responder programs, harm reduction, supports for long-term recovery, and behavioral health facilities and equipment; and

(D) Preventing and responding to increased violence resulting from the public health emergency, including community violence intervention programs, or responding to increased gun violence resulting from the public health emergency, including payroll and covered benefits associated with community policing strategies; enforcement efforts to reduce gun violence; and investing in technology and equipment;

(ii) Responding to the negative economic impacts of the public health emergency for purposes including:

(A) Assistance to households and individuals, including:

(1) Assistance for food; emergency housing needs; burials, home repairs, or weatherization; internet access or digital literacy; cash assistance; and assistance accessing public benefits;

(2) Paid sick, medical, or family leave programs, or assistance to expand access to health insurance;

(3) Childcare, early learning services, home visiting, or assistance for child welfare-involved families or foster youth;

(4) Programs to address the impacts of lost instructional time for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade;

(5) Development, repair, and operation of affordable housing and services or programs to increase long-term housing security;

(6) Financial services that facilitate the delivery of Federal, State, or local benefits for unbanked and underbanked individuals;

(7) Benefits for the surviving family members of individuals who have died from COVID-19, including cash assistance to surviving spouses or dependents of individuals who died of COVID-19;

(8) Assistance for individuals who want and are available for work, including those who are unemployed, have looked for work sometime in the past 12 months, who are employed part time but who want and are available for full-time work, or who are employed but seeking a position with greater opportunities for economic advancement;

(9) Facilities and equipment related to the provision of services to households provided in paragraphs (b)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through(8) of this section;

(10) The following expenses related to Unemployment Trust Funds:

(i) Contributions to a recipient Unemployment Trust Fund and repayment of principal amounts due on advances received under Title XII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1321) up to an amount equal to (a) the difference between the balance in the recipient’s Unemployment Trust Fund as of January 27, 2020, and the balance of such account as of May 17, 2021, plus (b) the principal amount outstanding as of May 17, 2021, on any advances received under Title XII of the Social Security Act between January 27, 2020, and May 17, 2021; provided that if a recipient repays principal on Title XII advances or makes a contribution to an Unemployment Trust Fund after April 1, 2022, such recipient shall not reduce average weekly benefit amounts or maximum benefit entitlements prior to December 31, 2024; and

(ii) Any interest due on such advances received under Title XII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1321); and

(11) A program, service, capital expenditure, or other assistance that is provided to a disproportionately impacted household, population, or community, including:

(i) Services to address health disparities of the disproportionately impacted household, population, or community;

(ii) Housing vouchers and relocation assistance;

(iii) Investments in communities to promote improved health outcomes and public safety such as parks, recreation facilities, and programs that increase access to healthy foods;

(iv) Capital expenditures and other services to address vacant or abandoned properties;

(v) Services to address educational disparities; and

(vi) Facilities and equipment related to the provision of these services to the disproportionately impacted household, population, or community.

(B) Assistance to small businesses, including:

(1) Programs, services, or capital expenditures that respond to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, including loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of periods of business closure, or providing technical assistance; and

(2) A program, service, capital expenditure, or other assistance that responds to disproportionately impacted small businesses, including rehabilitation of commercial properties; storefront and façade improvements; technical assistance, business incubators, and grants for start-ups or expansion costs for small businesses; and programs or services to support micro-businesses;

(C) Assistance to nonprofit organizations including programs, services, or capital expenditures, including loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or increased costs, or technical assistance;

(D) Assistance to tourism, travel, hospitality, and other impacted industries for programs, services, or capital expenditures, including support for payroll costs and covered benefits for employees, compensating returning employees, support for operations and maintenance of existing equipment and facilities, and technical assistance; and

(E) Expenses to support public sector capacity and workforce, including:

(1) Payroll and covered benefit expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services, and similar employees to the extent that the employee’s time is spent mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency;

(2) Payroll, covered benefit, and other costs associated with programs or services to support the public sector workforce and with the recipient:

(i) Hiring or rehiring staff to fill budgeted full-time equivalent positions that existed on January 27, 2020, but that were unfilled or eliminated as of March 3, 2021; or

(ii) Increasing the number of its budgeted full-time equivalent employees by up to the difference between the number of its budgeted full-time equivalent employees on January 27, 2020, multiplied by 1.075, and the number of its budgeted full-time equivalent employees on March 3, 2021, provided that funds shall only be used for additional budgeted full-time equivalent employees above the recipient’s number of budgeted full-time equivalent employees as of March 3, 2021;

(3) Costs to improve the design and execution of programs responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and to administer or improve the efficacy of programs addressing the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts; and

(4) Costs associated with addressing administrative needs of recipient governments that were caused or exacerbated by the pandemic.

(4) Capital expenditures. A recipient, other than a Tribal government, must prepare a written justification for certain capital expenditures according to Table 1 of paragraph (b) of this section. Such written justification must include the following elements:

(i) Describe the harm or need to be addressed;

(ii) Explain why a capital expenditure is appropriate; and

(iii) Compare the proposed capital expenditure to at least two alternative capital expenditures and demonstrate why the proposed capital expenditure is superior.

(c) Providing premium pay to eligible workers. A recipient may use funds to provide premium pay to eligible workers of the recipient who perform essential work or to provide grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work, provided that any premium pay or grants provided under this paragraph (c) must respond to eligible workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency. A recipient uses premium pay or grants provided under this paragraph (c) to respond to eligible workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency if:

(1) The eligible worker’s total wages and remuneration, including the premium pay, is less than or equal to 150 percent of the greater of such eligible worker’s residing State’s or county’s average annual wage for all occupations as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics;

(2) The eligible worker is not exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions (29 U.S.C. § 207); or

(3) The recipient has submitted to the Secretary a written justification that explains how providing premium pay to the eligible worker is responsive to the eligible worker performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency (such as a description of the eligible workers’ duties, health, or financial risks faced due to COVID-19, and why the recipient determined that the premium pay was responsive despite the worker’s higher income).

(d) Providing government services. A recipient may use funds for the provision of government services up to an amount equal to the greater of:

(1) $10,000,000; or

(2) the amount of the reduction in the recipient’s general revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, which equals the sum of the reduction in revenue, calculated as of each date identified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section and according to the formula in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section:

(i) A recipient must make a one-time election to calculate the reduction in its general revenue using information as of either:

(A) December 31, 2020, December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023; or

(B) The last day of each of the recipient’s fiscal years ending in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

(ii) A reduction in a recipient’s general revenue for each date identified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) equals:

Max {[Base Year Revenue* (1 + Growth Adjustment)^(nt/12)]?Actual General Revenue; 0}Where:

(A) Base Year Revenue is the recipient’s general revenue for the most recent full fiscal year prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency;

(B) Growth Adjustment is equal to the greater of 5.2 percent (or 0.052) and the recipient’s average annual revenue growth over the three full fiscal years prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency;

(C) n equals the number of months elapsed from the end of the base year to the calculation date;

(D) Subscript t denotes the specific calculation date; and

(E) Actual General Revenue is a recipient’s actual general revenue collected during the 12-month period ending on each calculation date identified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, except:

(1) For purposes of all calculation dates on or after April 1, 2022, in the case of any change made after January 6, 2022, to any law, regulation, or administrative interpretation that reduces any tax (by providing for a reduction in a rate, a rebate, a deduction, a credit, or otherwise) or delays the imposition of any tax or tax increase and that the recipient assesses has had the effect of decreasing the amount of tax revenue collected during the 12-month period ending on the calculation date relative to the amount of tax revenue that would have been collected in the absence of such change, the recipient must add to actual general revenue the amount of such decrease in tax revenue;

(2) For purposes of any calculation date on or after April 1, 2022, in the case of any change made after January 6, 2022, to any law, regulation, or administrative interpretation that increases any tax (by providing for an increase in a rate, the reduction of a rebate, a deduction, or a credit, or otherwise) or accelerates the imposition of any tax or tax increase and that the recipient assesses has had the effect of increasing the amount of tax revenue collected during the 12-month period ending on the calculation date relative to the amount of tax revenue that would have been collected in the absence of such change, the recipient must subtract from actual general revenue the amount of such increase in tax revenue; and

(3) If the recipient makes a one-time election to adjust general revenue to reflect tax changes made during the period beginning on January 27, 2020 and ending on January 6, 2022, for purposes of each calculation date identified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section:

(i) In the case of any change made during such prior period to any law, regulation, or administrative interpretation that reduces any tax (by providing for a reduction in a rate, a rebate, a deduction, a credit, or otherwise) or delays the imposition of any tax or tax increase and that the recipient assesses has had the effect of decreasing the amount of tax revenue collected during the 12-month period ending on the calculation date relative to the amount of tax revenue that would have been collected in the absence of such change, the recipient must add to actual general revenue the amount of such decrease in tax revenue; and

(ii) In the case of any change made during such prior period to any law, regulation, or administrative interpretation that increases any tax (by providing for an increase in a rate, the reduction of a rebate, a deduction, or a credit, or otherwise) or accelerates the imposition of any tax or tax increase and that the recipient assesses has had the effect of increasing the amount of tax revenue collected during the 12-month period ending on the calculation date relative to the amount of tax revenue that would have been collected in the absence of such change, the recipient must subtract from actual general revenue the amount of such increase in tax revenue; and

(4) With respect to any calculation date during the period beginning on January 6, 2022, and ending on March 31, 2022, if the recipient makes the election in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the recipient must also make the adjustments referenced in paragraph (d)(3) of this section with respect to any such changes in law, regulation, or administrative interpretation during the period beginning on January 6, 2022, and ending on such calculation date.

(e) Making necessary investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. A recipient may use funds to make the following investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.

(1) Water and sewer investments—(i) Clean Water State Revolving Fund projects. Projects or activities of the type that meet the eligibility requirements of section 603(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1383(c));

(ii) Additional stormwater projects. Projects to manage, reduce, treat, or recapture stormwater or subsurface drainage water regardless of whether such projects would improve water quality if such projects would otherwise meet the eligibility requirements of section 603(c)(5) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1383(c)(5));

(iii) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund projects. Projects or activities of the type that meet the eligibility requirements of section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 300j-12) as implemented by the regulations adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 40 CFR 35.3520, provided that:

(A) The recipient is not required to comply with the limitation under 40 CFR 35.3520(c)(2) to acquisitions of land from willing sellers or the prohibition under 40 CFR 35.3520(e)(6) on uses of funds for certain Tribal projects; and

(B) In the case of lead service line replacement projects, the recipient must replace the full length of the service line and may not replace only a partial portion of the service line.

(iv) Additional lead remediation and household water quality testing. Projects or activities to address lead in drinking water or provide household water quality testing that are within the scope of the programs the EPA is authorized to establish under sections 1459A(b)(2), 1459B(b)(1), 1464(d)(2), and 1465 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 300j-19a(b)(2), 300j-19b(b)(1), 300j-24(d)(2), and 300j-25), provided that:

(A) In the case of lead service line replacement projects, the recipient must replace the full length of the service line and may not replace only a partial portion of the service line; and

(B) In the case of projects within the scope of the program the EPA is authorized to establish under section 1459B(b)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the recipient may determine the income eligibility of homeowners served by lead service line replacement projects in its discretion.

(v) Drinking water projects to support increased population. Projects of the type that meet the eligibility requirements of 40 CFR 35.3520 other than the requirement of 40 CFR 35.3520(b)(1) to address present or prevent future violations of health-based drinking water standards, if the following conditions are met:

(A) The project is needed to support increased population, with need assessed as of the time the project is undertaken;

(B) The project is designed to support no more than a reasonable level of projected increased need, whether due to population growth or otherwise;

(C) The project is a cost-effective means for achieving the desired level of service; and

(D) The project is projected to continue to provide an adequate level of drinking water over its estimated useful life.

(vi) Dams and reservoirs. Rehabilitation of dams and reservoirs if the following conditions are met:

(A) The project meets the requirements of 40 CFR 35.3520 other than the following requirements:

(1) The prohibition on the rehabilitation of dams and reservoirs in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(3) of 40 CFR 35.3520; and

(2) The requirement in paragraph (b)(1) of 40 CFR 35.3520 that the project is needed to address present or prevent future violations of health-based drinking water standards, provided that if the dam or reservoir project does not meet this requirement, the project must be needed to support increased population, with need assessed as of the time the project is undertaken, and the project must be projected to continue to provide an adequate level of drinking water over its estimated useful life;

(B) The primary purpose of the dam or reservoir is for drinking water supply;

(C) The project is needed for the provision of drinking water supply, with need assessed as of the time the project is initiated;

(D) The project is designed to support no more than a reasonable level of projected increased need, whether due to population growth or otherwise; and

(E) The project is a cost-effective means for achieving the desired level of service.

(vii) Private wells. Rehabilitation of private wells, testing initiatives to identify contaminants in private wells, and treatment activities and remediation projects that address contamination in private wells, if the project meets the requirements of 40 CFR 35.3520 other than the limitation to certain eligible systems under paragraph (a) of 40 CFR 35.3520.

(2) Broadband investments—(i) General. Broadband infrastructure if the following conditions are met:

(A) The broadband infrastructure is designed to provide service to households and businesses with an identified need, as determined by the recipient, for such infrastructure;

(B) The broadband infrastructure is designed to, upon completion:

(1) Reliably meet or exceed symmetrical 100 Mbps download speed and upload speeds; or

(2) In cases where it is not practicable, because of the excessive cost of the project or geography or topography of the area to be served by the project, to provide service reliably meeting or exceeding symmetrical 100 Mbps download speed and upload speeds:

(i) Reliably meet or exceed 100 Mbps download speed and between at least 20 Mbps and 100 Mbps upload speed; and

(ii) Be scalable to a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed and 100 Mbps upload speed; and

(C) The service provider for a completed broadband infrastructure investment project that provides service to households is required, for as long as the SLFRF-funded broadband infrastructure is in use, by the recipient to:

(1) Participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through the lifetime of the ACP; or

(2) Otherwise provide access to a broad-based affordability program to low-income consumers in the proposed service area of the broadband infrastructure that provides benefits to households commensurate with those provided under the ACP through the lifetime of the ACP.

(ii) Cybersecurity infrastructure investments. Cybersecurity infrastructure investments that are designed to improve the reliability and resiliency of new and existing broadband infrastructure. Such investments may include the addition or modernization of network security hardware and software tools designed to strengthen cybersecurity for the end-users of these networks.

(f) Meeting the non-Federal matching requirements for Bureau of Reclamation projects. A recipient may use funds to meet the non-Federal matching requirements of any authorized Bureau of Reclamation project.

(g) Natural Disaster Emergency Relief. Subject to paragraph (g)(3) of this section, a recipient may use funds to provide emergency relief from the physical impacts or negative economic impacts of a natural disaster, including the forms of emergency relief identified in paragraph (g)(2) of this section, if the use meets the criteria provided in paragraph (g)(1) of this section.

(1) Identifying emergency relief from the physical or negative economic impacts of a natural disaster. A recipient provides emergency relief from the physical impacts or negative economic impacts of a natural disaster when the recipient:

(i) Identifies either:

(A) a natural disaster that has occurred or is expected to occur imminently and that has been the subject of an emergency declaration or designation applicable to the recipient’s geography and jurisdiction in the form of:

(1) an emergency declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act;

(2) an emergency declaration by the Governor of a state pursuant to state law;

(3) an emergency declaration made by a Tribal government; or

(4) a designation as a natural disaster by the chief executive (or equivalent) of the recipient, provided that the chief executive (or equivalent) documents that the event meets the definition of natural disaster; or

(B) a natural disaster that is threatened to occur in the future, provided that the recipient documents evidence of historical patterns or predictions of natural disasters that would reasonably demonstrate the likelihood of the future occurrence of a natural disaster in the recipient’s jurisdiction; and

(ii) Provides emergency relief that responds to and is related and reasonably proportional to:

(A) the physical or negative economic impacts of the natural disaster identified in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A) of this section, or

(B) the potential physical or negative economic impacts of the natural disaster identified in paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B) of this section.

(2) Enumerated eligible uses. A recipient may use funds to provide emergency relief from

(i) the physical or negative economic impacts of natural disasters identified under paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A) of this section by engaging in one of the following activities, provided that the emergency relief is related and reasonably proportional to the physical or negative economic impacts of the natural disaster identified:

(A) Temporary emergency housing, food assistance, and financial assistance for lost wages;

(B) Emergency protective measures, including assistance for emergency access, medical care and transport, emergency operations center related costs, and other activities traditionally undertaken as part of emergency response;

(C) Debris removal activities, including the clearance, removal, and disposal of vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, sand, mud, silt, gravel, rocks, boulders, white goods, and vehicle and vessel wreckage;

(D) Restoration of public infrastructure damaged by a natural disaster, including roads, bridges, and utilities;

(E) Increased operational costs, including payroll costs and costs for government facilities and government services;

(F) Cash assistance for uninsured or underinsured expenses, and cash assistance serving low-income households; or

(G) Home repairs for uninhabitable primary residences; or

(ii) the potential physical or negative economic impacts of natural disasters identified under paragraph (g)(1)(i)(B) of this section by using funds for mitigation activities, provided that the emergency relief is related and reasonably proportional to the potential physical or negative economic impacts of the natural disaster identified, and provided further that if funds are used for capital expenditures under this paragraph, a recipient, other than a Tribal government, must prepare a written justification for activities under this paragraph (g)(2)(ii) with total capital expenditures of $1 million or greater. Such written justification must include the following elements:

(A) Describe the emergency relief provided by the mitigation activity and why it is needed to lessen or avert the potential impacts of the natural disaster that is threatened to occur in the future;

(B) Explain why the capital expenditure is appropriate to address the need for emergency relief; and

(C) Compare the proposed capital expenditure to at least two alternative capital expenditures and demonstrate why the proposed capital expenditure is superior.

(3) Duplication of benefits. (A) A recipient may not provide financial assistance under this paragraph (g) to a person, business concern, or other entity with respect to disaster losses for which such beneficiary will receive financial assistance under any other program or from insurance or any other source.

(B) A recipient may provide assistance with respect to disaster losses to a person, business concern, or other entity that is or may be entitled to receive assistance for those losses from another source, if such person, business concern, or other entity has not received the other benefits by the time of application for assistance and the person, business concern, or other entity agrees to repay any duplicative assistance to the recipient. A recipient providing assistance with respect to disaster losses shall coordinate with the relevant Regional Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state disaster-assistance administrator. Recipients shall notify subrecipients and contractors that, when providing assistance with respect to disaster losses, those entities are responsible for ensuring that beneficiaries disclose any other assistance received for the same disaster losses prior to receiving assistance under this paragraph (g).

(C) Funds shall be used last in the delivery sequence unless the recipient, in consultation with the appropriate Regional Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency or state disaster-assistance administrator, determines that another sequence is appropriate.

(h) Certain infrastructure projects. A recipient may use funds for Surface Transportation projects as set forth in paragraph (h)(1) of this section and for Title I projects as set forth in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, subject to the requirements set forth in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.

(1) Surface Transportation projects. A recipient may use funds for Surface Transportation projects in the manner set forth in paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section, subject to the requirements and limitations set forth in paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this section.

(i)(A) A recipient may use funds to expand the scope of, to cover additional costs associated with, or to otherwise supplement funding for a project receiving funding from the Department of Transportation at the time that the funds are obligated and expended for the project.

(B) A recipient may use funds for a Surface Transportation project that is not funded by the Department of Transportation at the time the funds are obligated and expended.

(C) A recipient may use funds to satisfy non-Federal share requirements for a project eligible under the provisions identified in paragraphs (1), (18), (21), and (27) of the definition of “Surface Transportation project” in § 35.3 or to repay a loan provided under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program under 23 U.S.C. chapter 6.

(ii) The following limitations and requirements apply to funds used for Surface Transportation projects under paragraphs (h)(1)(i)(A) and (h)(1)(i)(B) of this section.

(A) Funds used for Surface Transportation projects eligible under the provisions set forth in paragraphs (20) through (24) of the definition of “Surface Transportation projects” in § 35.3 shall not be used for operating expenses of such a project.

(B) Except as otherwise determined by the Secretary or the head of the Federal agency to which the Secretary has delegated authority, the requirements of titles 23, 40, and 49 of the U.S. Code, and the associated implementing regulations, apply to Surface Transportation projects, including but not limited to the following:

(1) Project eligibility requirements;

(2) Project approval requirements, provided that such requirements shall not apply to Surface Transportation projects undertaken pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i)(B) of this section that meet the following criteria:

(i) The project qualifies as an “eligible project” under the program described in paragraph (17) of the definition of Surface Transportation project set forth in § 35.3;

(ii) The recipient does not use more than $10 million in funds for the project; and

(iii) The entire project scope, including for avoidance of doubt any portion of the project funded through other sources, is limited to the actions or activities listed under 23 CFR 771.116(c)(1) through(22), 23 CFR 771.117(c)(1) through(30), and 23 CFR 771.118(c)(1) through(16), provided that the actions or activities do not involve unusual circumstances, as described in 23 CFR 771.116(b), 23 CFR 771.117(b), and 23 CFR 771.118(b).

(3) Wage and employee protection requirements, including the requirements set forth at 23 U.S.C. § 113 and 49 U.S.C. § 5333(a) and (b);

(4) Domestic preference procurement requirements, including the requirements set forth at 23 U.S.C. § 313, 49 U.S.C. § 5323(j), 49 CFR part 661, and 23 CFR 635.410, provided that such requirements shall not apply to Surface Transportation projects undertaken pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i)(B) of this section that meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (h)(1)(ii)(B)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section;

(5) Project design, planning, construction, operation, maintenance, vehicle weight limit, and toll requirements, provided that the requirement to include Surface Transportation projects in a state transportation improvement program or transportation improvement program shall not apply to Surface Transportation projects undertaken pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i)(B) of this section except in circumstances when the project is regionally significant and requires action by an office of the Department of Transportation pursuant to 23 CFR 450.218.

(C) Except as otherwise determined by the Secretary or the head of the Federal agency to which the Secretary has delegated authority, the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.), and the associated implementing regulations, apply to Surface Transportation projects.

(D) When a State uses funds for a Surface Transportation project eligible under title 23 of the U.S. Code or that otherwise would be subject to the requirements of title 23, the project must either:

(1) Demonstrate progress in achieving a state of good repair as required by the State’s asset management plan under 23 U.S.C. § 119(e), or

(2) Support the achievement of one or more performance targets of the State established under 23 U.S.C. § 150.

(2) Title I projects. A recipient may use funds for Title I projects, subject to the following limitations and requirements:

(i) Except as otherwise determined by the Secretary or the head of the Federal agency to which the Secretary has delegated authority, the requirements of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5301 et seq.), and the associated implementing regulations, apply to Title I projects, including:

(A) At least 70 percent of funds used for such projects, in the aggregate, must be used for projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, in accordance with the definitions and requirements set forth at 24 CFR 570.3, 24 CFR 570.200(a)(3), and 24 CFR 570.208(a) for recipients that are not Tribal governments, and at 24 CFR 1003.4 and 1003.208 for Tribal government recipients; provided, however, that Tribal governments may demonstrate that beneficiaries of Title I assistance are “low and moderate income beneficiaries,” as defined at 24 CFR 1003.4, based on an attestation by the Tribal government that these beneficiaries are receiving or are eligible to receive services administered by the Tribal government on the basis of an individual’s income.

(B) In the case of recipients that are not Tribal governments, funds used for projects must satisfy at least one of the national objectives as set forth in 24 CFR 570.208.

(C) Not more than 15 percent of funds used for such projects, in the aggregate, may be used for public services activities and projects eligible under 42 U.S.C. § 5305(a)(8).

(D) Not more than 20 percent of funds used for such projects, in the aggregate, may be used for planning and administrative costs, as described at 24 CFR 570.200(g), 570.205, and 570.206 with respect to recipients that are not Tribal governments, and as described at 24 CFR 1003.205 and 1003.206 with respect to recipients that are Tribal governments.

(E) In the case of recipients that are not Tribal governments, funds used for such projects must satisfy the requirements set forth at 42 U.S.C. § 5310 and 24 CFR 570.603.

(F) Prior to commencing a Title I project, a recipient must comply with the environmental protection measures set forth at 42 U.S.C. § 5304(g) and the implementing regulations set forth at 24 CFR 570.604, 24 CFR 1003.605, and 24 CFR part 58, provided that the certification contemplated by 42 U.S.C. § 5304(g) shall be submitted to the Secretary and not the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(ii) To the extent a Title I project relates to broadband infrastructure, the requirements of section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act shall apply.

(3) Requirements applicable to Surface Transportation projects and Title I projects. (i) The total amount of funds that a recipient may use for costs incurred for projects set forth in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this section, taken together, shall not exceed the greater of $10,000,000 and 30 percent of the recipient’s total award received pursuant to payment or transfer of funds made under section 602 or 603 of the Social Security Act.

(ii) Funds used for the projects set forth in paragraph (h) of this section must supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, territorial, Tribal, and local government funds (as applicable) that

(A) in the case of non-Federal funds, have been obligated for activities or projects that are eligible as part of any Surface Transportation project or Title I project, as applicable, or

(B) in the case of Federal funds, a Federal agency has committed to a particular project pursuant to an award agreement or otherwise.