Congress Passes Additional COVID-19 Aid

Yesterday, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which contains the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 and “Additional Coronavirus Response and Relief.” We write to provide you with a brief roadmap to the text of this extensive legislation.

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, at Section M of the text, provides funding for a variety of government agencies and departments, such as the FEMA, the FDA, the CDC, and the Department of Education.

Division N of the text is entitled “Additional Coronavirus Response and Relief.” It provides assistance to individuals, families and businesses via its Title II. Title II first addresses unemployment insurance (Subtitle A). Subtitle B of Title II is the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020 which extends some payroll tax deferrals (Section 274), clarifies tax treatment issues from the CARES Act (Sections 276, 278, 280), and addresses the extension of credits for paid sick and family leave (Sections 286, 288).

Title III of Division N is titled “Continuing the Paycheck Protection Program and Other Small Business Support,” and includes the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act. This Act makes several adjustments to the Paycheck Protection Program, including expanding covered expenses (Section 304), addressing group insurance payments (Section 308), and permitting second draw loans (Section 311). It also provides grants to “shuttered venue operators” (Section 324), which applies to live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, relevant museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, or talent representatives that meet certain requirements. Finally, the Act addresses several loan programs from the CARES Act (Sections 325-346).

Title IV of Division N addresses the transportation industry and includes the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act (at Subtitle B, Sections 420-421) and the Motor Carrier Safety Grant Relief Act of 2020 (Sections 440-441).

We will continue to update you on this legislation as more details emerge.

KZA Employer Report articles are for general information only; they are not intended and should not be construed to be legal advice. Reading or replying to such articles does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In addition, because the subject matters and applicable laws discussed in Employer Report articles are often in a state of change and not always applicable to every type of business entity or organization, readers should consult with counsel before making decisions based on the same.