Senate Passes Bill to Expand Uses of Coronavirus Fiscal Relief Funds

The Senate has passed the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act (S. 3011), which now awaits consideration by the House. The bill would make the following changes to programs funded under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the CARES Act:

• Allow state and local governments to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARP) payments for certain infrastructure projects
• Amend the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (ARP)
• Provide tribal governments with more time to use Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act) payments

This Issue Brief summarizes provisions in S. 3011 of importance to state and local governments. The bill assumes enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; H.R. 3684) by making reference to changes made in it and to programs authorized or reauthorized by it.