Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program-Revisions to First Interim Final Rule, 36308-36312 [2020-12909]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES 36308 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 116 / Tuesday, June 16, 2020 / Rules and Regulations revising the TN Americas LLC NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the ‘‘List of approved spent fuel storage casks’’ to include Amendment No. 1 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042. Amendment No. 1 makes the following changes: Adds a new basket type (Type 4) to allow for the loading of intact, damaged, or failed fuel; adds another new basket type (Type 5); accepts fuel assemblies with a minimum two-year cooling time, in selected locations within the basket; and adds the NUHOMS® MATRIX design as an alternative to the EOS horizontal storage module design for the storage of spent fuel. Amendment No. 1 also makes other additional revisions to the certificate of compliance and the technical specifications for consistency and clarity. DATES: Effective date: The effective date of June 17, 2020, for the direct final rule published April 3, 2020 (85 FR 18857), is confirmed. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2019–0224 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this action by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2019–0224. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individuals listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may obtain publiclyavailable documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ adams.html. To begin the search, select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, 301– 415–4737, or by email to pdr.resource@ nrc.gov. The proposed amendment to the certificate, the proposed changes to the technical specifications, and preliminary safety evaluation report are available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML19290H600. The final amendment to the certificate, final changes to the technical specifications, and final safety evaluation report can also be viewed in ADAMS under Accession No. ML20136A048. • Attention: The Public Document Room (PDR), where you may examine VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 and order copies of public documents, is currently closed. You may submit your request to the PDR via email at PDR.Resource@nrc.gov or call 1–800– 397–4209 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christian Jacobs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards; telephone: 301–415–6825; email: Christian.Jacobs@nrc.gov or Nicole Fields, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, telephone: 630–829– 9570; email: Nichole.Fields@nrc.gov. Both are staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 3, 2020 (85 FR 18857), the NRC published a direct final rule amending its regulations in part 72 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the ‘‘List of approved spent fuel storage casks’’ to include Amendment No. 1 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042. Amendment No. 1 makes the following changes: Adds a new basket type (Type 4) to allow for the loading of intact, damaged, or failed fuel; adds another new basket type (Type 5); accepts fuel assemblies with a minimum two-year cooling time, in selected locations within the basket; and adds the NUHOMS® MATRIX design as an alternative to the EOS horizontal storage module design for the storage of spent fuel. Amendment No. 1 also makes other additional revisions to the certificate of compliance and the technical specifications for consistency and clarity. In the direct final rule published on April 3, 2020, the NRC stated that if no significant adverse comments were received, the direct final rule would become effective on June 17, 2020. The NRC received and docketed two comments on the companion proposed rule (85 FR 18876; April 3, 2020). Electronic copies of these comments can be obtained from the Federal Rulemaking website https:// www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC–2019–0224, and are also available in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML20118C707 and ML20126G364. The NRC evaluated the comments against the criteria described in the direct final rule and determined that they were not significant and adverse. Specifically, the comments were outside the scope of this rulemaking, did not oppose the rule, or did not propose a change to the rule, such that the rule would be ineffective or unacceptable PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 without incorporation of the change. Therefore, the direct final rule will become effective as scheduled. Dated: May 26, 2020. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Cindy K. Bladey, Chief, Regulatory Analysis and Rulemaking Support Branch, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2020–11691 Filed 6–15–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 13 CFR Part 120 [Docket No. SBA–2020–0035] RIN 3245–AH49 Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program—Revisions to First Interim Final Rule U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Interim final rule. AGENCY: On April 2, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) posted on its website an interim final rule relating to the implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act) (published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2020). Section 1102 of the Act temporarily adds a new product, titled the ‘‘Paycheck Protection Program,’’ to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 7(a) Loan Program. Subsequently, SBA issued a number of interim final rules implementing the Paycheck Protection Program. On June 5, 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (Flexibility Act) was signed into law, amending the CARES Act. This interim final rule revises SBA’s interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2020, by changing key provisions, such as the loan maturity, deferral of loan payments, and forgiveness provisions, to conform to the Flexibility Act. SBA also is making conforming amendments to the use of PPP loan proceeds for consistency with amendments made in the Flexibility Act. Several of these amendments are retroactive to the date of enactment of the CARES Act, as required by section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act. DATES: Effective Dates: The provisions in this interim final rule related to loan forgiveness and deferral periods for PPP SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 116 / Tuesday, June 16, 2020 / Rules and Regulations lotter on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES loans are effective March 27, 2020. The provision in this interim final rule relating to the maturity date of PPP loans is effective June 5, 2020. The remaining provisions in this interim final rule are effective June 12, 2020. Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before July 16, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by number SBA–2020–0035, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. SBA will post all comments on www.regulations.gov. If you wish to submit confidential business information (CBI) as defined in the User Notice at www.regulations.gov, please send an email to ppp-ifr@sba.gov. Highlight the information that you consider to be CBI and explain why you believe SBA should hold this information as confidential. SBA will review the information and make the final determination whether it will publish the information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A Call Center Representative at 833–572– 0502, or the local SBA Field Office; the list of offices can be found at https:// www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/ districtoffices. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Information On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, territories, and the District of Columbia. With the COVID–19 emergency, many small businesses nationwide are experiencing economic hardship as a direct result of the Federal, State, and local public health measures that are being taken to minimize the public’s exposure to the virus. These measures, some of which are government-mandated, have been implemented nationwide and include the closures of restaurants, bars, and gyms. In addition, based on the advice of public health officials, other measures, such as keeping a safe distance from others or even stay-athome orders, have been implemented, resulting in a dramatic decrease in economic activity as the public avoids malls, retail stores, and other businesses. On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act or the Act) (Pub. L. 116–136) to provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the coronavirus VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA) received funding and authority through the Act to modify existing loan programs and establish a new loan program to assist small businesses nationwide adversely impacted by the COVID–19 emergency. Section 1102 of the Act temporarily permits SBA to guarantee 100 percent of 7(a) loans under a new program titled the ‘‘Paycheck Protection Program.’’ Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program. A more detailed discussion of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act is found in section III below. On April 24, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 116–139), which provided additional funding and authority for the PPP. On June 5, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (Flexibility Act) (Pub. L. 116–142), which changes key provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program, including provisions relating to the maturity of PPP loans, the deferral of PPP loan payments, and the forgiveness of PPP loans. Section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act provides that the amendments relating to PPP loan forgiveness and extension of the deferral period for PPP loans shall be effective as if included in the CARES Act, which means that they are retroactive to March 27, 2020. Section 2 of the Flexibility Act provides that the amendment relating to the extension of the maturity date for PPP loans shall take effect on the date of enactment (June 5, 2020). Under the Flexibility Act, the extension of the maturity date for PPP loans is applicable to PPP loans made on or after that date, and lenders and borrowers may mutually agree to modify PPP loans made before such date to reflect the longer maturity. II. Comments and Retroactive/ Immediate Effective Date This interim final rule is effective without advance notice and public comment because section 1114 of the CARES Act authorizes SBA to issue regulations to implement Title I of the Act without regard to notice requirements. In addition, SBA has determined that there is good cause for dispensing with advance public notice and comment on the grounds that that it would be contrary to the public interest. Specifically, advance public notice and comment would defeat the purpose of this interim final rule given that SBA’s authority to guarantee PPP loans expires on June 30, 2020, and that PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 36309 many PPP borrowers can now apply for loan forgiveness following the end of their eight-week covered period. Providing borrowers and lenders with certainty on both loan requirements and loan forgiveness requirements following the enactment of the Flexibility Act will enhance the ability of lenders to make loans and process loan forgiveness applications, particularly in light of the fact that most of the Flexibility Act’s provisions are retroactive to March 27, 2020. Specifically, small businesses that have yet to apply for and receive a PPP loan need to be informed of the terms of PPP loans as soon as possible, because the last day on which a lender can obtain an SBA loan number for a PPP loan is June 30, 2020. Borrowers who already have applied for and received a PPP loan need certainty regarding how loan proceeds must be used during the covered period, as amended by the Flexibility Act, so that they can maximize the amount of loan forgiveness. These same reasons provide good cause for SBA to dispense with the 30-day delayed effective date provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. Although this interim final rule is effective on or before date of filing, comments are solicited from interested members of the public on all aspects of the interim final rule, including section III below. These comments must be submitted on or before July 16, 2020. The SBA will consider these comments, comments received on the interim final rule posted on SBA’s website April 2, 2020 (the First Interim Final Rule) and published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2020, and the need for making any revisions as a result of these comments. III. Paycheck Protection Program— Revisions to First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811) Overview The CARES Act was enacted to provide immediate assistance to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID–19 emergency. Among the provisions contained in the CARES Act are provisions authorizing SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new 7(a) loan program titled the ‘‘Paycheck Protection Program.’’ Loans guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be 100 percent guaranteed by SBA, and the full principal amount of the loans may qualify for loan forgiveness. The Flexibility Act amends the CARES Act and amends provisions relating to loan terms and loan forgiveness. The purpose of this interim final rule is to make changes to the First Interim Final Rule, E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 36310 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 116 / Tuesday, June 16, 2020 / Rules and Regulations posted on SBA’s website on April 2, 2020, and published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2020 (85 FR 20811). The First Interim Final Rule, as amended by this interim final rule, should be interpreted consistent with the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the PPP that are posted on SBA’s website 1 and the other interim final rules issued regarding the PPP.2 1. Changes to the First Interim Final Rule a. Covered Period for PPP Loans Section 3(a) of the Flexibility Act amended the definition of ‘‘covered period’’ for a PPP loan from ‘‘the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2020’’ to ‘‘the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020.’’ Therefore, Part III.2.g.iii. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20813) is revised by striking ‘‘June 30, 2020’’ and replacing it with ‘‘December 31, 2020’’. Section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act provides that this amendment shall be effective as if included in the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This amendment by the Flexibility Act applies to the definition of ‘‘covered period’’ that appears in section 1102 of the CARES Act, governing loan use, loan eligibility, and related requirements. It does not alter the meaning of ‘‘covered period’’ that appears in section 1106 of the CARES Act governing loan forgiveness, which is addressed by a different provision of the Flexibility Act. lotter on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES b. Maturity Date for PPP Loans Section 2(a) of the Flexibility Act amended the CARES Act to provide a minimum maturity of five years for all PPP loans made on or after the date of enactment of the Flexibility Act. Therefore, Part III.2.j. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20813) is revised to read as follows: j. What will be the maturity date on a PPP loan? For loans made before June 5, 2020, the maturity is two years; however, borrowers and lenders may mutually agree to extend the maturity of such loans to five years. For loans made on or after June 5, the maturity is five years. Section 2 of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (Flexibility Act) amended the CARES Act to provide a minimum maturity of 1 See https://www.sba.gov/document/support-faq-lenders-borrowers. 2 See https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/ loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheckprotection-program. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 5 years for all PPP loans made on or after its enactment. The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that the date SBA assigns a loan number to the PPP loan provides an efficient, transparent, and auditable means of determining when a PPP loan is ‘‘made’’ that provides certainty to lenders. While the CARES Act provides that a loan will have a maximum maturity of up to ten years from the date the borrower applies for loan forgiveness, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that a five-year loan term is sufficient in light of the temporary economic dislocations caused by the coronavirus. Specifically, the considerable economic disruption caused by the coronavirus is expected to abate well before the five-year maturity date such that borrowers will be able to resume business operations and pay off any outstanding balances on their PPP loans. c. Deferral Period for PPP Loans Section 3(c) of the Flexibility Act extended the deferral period on PPP loans. Therefore, Part III.2.n. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20813) is revised to read as follows: n. When will I have to begin paying principal and interest on my PPP loan? If you submit to your lender a loan forgiveness application within 10 months after the end of your loan forgiveness covered period, you will not have to make any payments of principal or interest on your loan before the date on which SBA remits the loan forgiveness amount on your loan to your lender (or notifies your lender that no loan forgiveness is allowed). Your ‘‘loan forgiveness covered period’’ is the 24-week period beginning on the date your PPP loan is disbursed; however, if your PPP loan was made before June 5, 2020, you may elect to have your loan forgiveness covered period be the eight-week period beginning on the date your PPP loan was disbursed.3 Your lender must notify you of remittance by SBA of the loan forgiveness amount (or notify you that SBA determined that no loan forgiveness is allowed) and the date your first payment is due. Interest continues to accrue during the deferment period. If you do not submit to your lender a loan forgiveness application within 10 months after the end of your loan forgiveness covered period, you must begin paying principal and interest after 3 Under section 3(b)(1) of the Flexibility Act, the loan forgiveness covered period of any borrower will end no later than December 31, 2020. PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 that period. For example, if a borrower’s PPP loan is disbursed on June 25, 2020, the 24-week period ends on December 10, 2020. If the borrower does not submit a loan forgiveness application to its lender by October 10, 2021, the borrower must begin making payments on or after October 10, 2021. d. Loan Forgiveness Section 3(b) of the Flexibility Act amended the requirements concerning forgiveness of PPP loans to reduce the amount of PPP loan proceeds that must be used for payroll costs in order to be forgivable, and the law also created a new exemption for borrowers to avoid a reduction in loan forgiveness amount when they have a reduction in full-time equivalent employees. While the Flexibility Act provides that a borrower shall use at least 60 percent of the PPP loan for payroll costs to receive loan forgiveness, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, interprets this requirement as a proportional limit on nonpayroll costs as a share of the borrower’s loan forgiveness amount, rather than as a threshold for receiving any loan forgiveness. This interpretation is consistent with the new safe harbor in the Flexibility Act. The new safe harbor provides that if a borrower is unable to rehire previously employed individuals or similarly qualified employees, the borrower will not have its loan forgiveness amount reduced based on the reduction in full-time equivalent employees. It would be incongruous to interpret the Flexibility Act’s 60 percent requirement as a threshold for receiving any loan forgiveness, because in some cases it would directly conflict with the flexibility provided by the new safe harbor. Further, the 60 percent requirement in the Flexibility Act was enacted against the backdrop of SBA’s existing rules governing the PPP, which Congress was aware of and which provided for proportional reductions in loan forgiveness for borrowers that used less than 75% of their loan amount during the eight-week covered period for payroll costs. In addition, this interpretation of the 60 percent requirement under the Flexibility Act is most consistent with Congress’s purpose in that legislation—namely, to increase the flexibility provided to borrowers related to PPP loan forgiveness. In addition, as noted in paragraph d. above, in seeking loan forgiveness, an eligible borrower whose loan was made before June 5, 2020 may elect to apply the original eight-week covered period under the CARES Act instead of the 24week covered period referenced above. See Flexibility Act, section 3(b)(3). E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 116 / Tuesday, June 16, 2020 / Rules and Regulations lotter on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES SBA will be issuing revisions to its interim final rules on loan forgiveness and loan review procedures to address amendments the Flexibility Act made to the loan forgiveness requirements. SBA will also be issuing additional guidance on advance purchases of PPP loans, which will include any effect of the amendments made to the loan forgiveness requirements. For the reasons described above, Part III.2.o. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20813) is revised to read as follows: o. Can my PPP loan be forgiven in whole or in part? Yes. The amount of loan forgiveness can be up to the full principal amount of the loan and any accrued interest. An eligible borrower will not be responsible for any loan payment if the borrower uses all of the loan proceeds for forgivable purposes as described below and employee and compensation levels are maintained or, if not, an applicable safe harbor applies. The actual amount of loan forgiveness will depend, in part, on the total amount of payroll costs, payments of interest on mortgage obligations incurred before February 15, 2020, rent payments on leases dated before February 15, 2020, and utility payments for service that began before February 15, 2020, over the loan forgiveness covered period. However, to receive full loan forgiveness, a borrower must use at least 60 percent of the PPP loan for payroll costs, and not more than 40 percent of the loan forgiveness amount may be attributable to nonpayroll costs. For example, if a borrower uses 59 percent of its PPP loan for payroll costs, it will not receive the full amount of loan forgiveness it might otherwise be eligible to receive. Instead, the borrower will receive partial loan forgiveness, based on the requirement that 60 percent of the forgiveness amount must be attributable to payroll costs. For example, if a borrower receives a $100,000 PPP loan, and during the covered period the borrower spends $54,000 (or 54 percent) of its loan on payroll costs, then because the borrower used less than 60 percent of its loan on payroll costs, the maximum amount of loan forgiveness the borrower may receive is $90,000 (with $54,000 in payroll costs constituting 60 percent of the forgiveness amount and $36,000 in nonpayroll costs constituting 40 percent of the forgiveness amount). e. Use of PPP Loan Proceeds For consistency with the amendments made in the Flexibility Act regarding the percentage of loan proceeds that must be used for payroll costs in order to be forgiven, discussed in paragraph VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 2.e. above, Part III.2.r. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20814) is revised to read as follows: r. How can PPP loans be used? The proceeds of a PPP loan are to be used for: i. payroll costs (as defined in the Act and in 2.f.); ii. costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during periods of paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums; iii. mortgage interest payments (but not mortgage prepayments or principal payments); iv. rent payments; v. utility payments; vi. interest payments on any other debt obligations that were incurred before February 15, 2020; and/or vii. refinancing an SBA EIDL loan made between January 31, 2020 and April 3, 2020. If you received an SBA EIDL loan from January 31, 2020 through April 3, 2020, you can apply for a PPP loan. If your EIDL loan was not used for payroll costs, it does not affect your eligibility for a PPP loan. If your EIDL loan was used for payroll costs, your PPP loan must be used to refinance your EIDL loan. Proceeds from any advance up to $10,000 on the EIDL loan will be deducted from the loan forgiveness amount on the PPP loan. At least 60 percent of the PPP loan proceeds shall be used for payroll costs. For purposes of determining the percentage of use of proceeds for payroll costs, the amount of any EIDL refinanced will be included. For purposes of loan forgiveness, however, the borrower will have to document the proceeds used for payroll costs in order to determine the amount of forgiveness. While the Act provides that PPP loan proceeds may be used for the purposes listed above and for other allowable uses described in section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)), the Administrator believes that finite appropriations and the structure of the Act warrant a requirement that borrowers use a substantial portion of the loan proceeds for payroll costs, consistent with Congress’ overarching goal of keeping workers paid and employed. This percentage is consistent with the limitation on the forgiveness amount set forth in the Flexibility Act. This limitation on use of the loan funds will help to ensure that the finite appropriations available for these loans are directed toward payroll protection, as each loan that is issued depletes the appropriation, regardless of whether portions of the loan are later forgiven. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 36311 f. Borrower Certifications For consistency with the changes discussed in paragraphs 2.e. and f. above, Parts III.2.t.iii., iv., and v. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20814) are revised to read as follows: t. What certifications need to be made? * * * * * iii. The funds will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments; I understand that if the funds are knowingly used for unauthorized purposes, the Federal Government may hold me legally liable such as for charges of fraud. As explained above, not more than 40 percent of loan proceeds may be used for nonpayroll costs. iv. Documentation verifying the number of full-time equivalent employees on payroll as well as the dollar amounts of payroll costs, covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent payments, and covered utilities for the loan forgiveness covered period for the loan will be provided to the lender. v. Loan forgiveness will be provided for the sum of documented payroll costs, covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent payments, and covered utility payments. As explained above, not more than 40 percent of the forgiven amount may be used for nonpayroll costs. * * * * * 2. Additional Information SBA may provide further guidance, if needed, through SBA notices which will be posted on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov. Questions on the Paycheck Protection Program may be directed to the Lender Relations Specialist in the local SBA Field Office. The local SBA Field Office may be found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/ local-assistance/districtoffices. Compliance With Executive Orders 12866, 12988, 13132, 13563, and 13771, the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35), and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612) Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771 This interim final rule is economically significant for the purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, and is considered a major rule under the Congressional Review Act. SBA, however, is proceeding under the emergency provision at Executive Order 12866 Section 6(a)(3)(D) based on the need to move expeditiously to mitigate the current economic conditions arising E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 36312 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 116 / Tuesday, June 16, 2020 / Rules and Regulations from the COVID–19 emergency. This rule’s designation under Executive Order 13771 will be informed by public comment. This rule is necessary to implement Sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act and the Flexibility Act in order to provide economic relief to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the COVID–19 Emergency Declaration. We anticipate that this rule will result in substantial benefits to small businesses, their employees, and the communities they serve. However, we lack data to estimate the effects of this rule. Executive Order 12988 SBA has drafted this rule, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the standards set forth in section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. The rule has no preemptive effect but does have a limited retroactive effect consistent with section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act. Executive Order 13132 SBA has determined that this rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various layers of government. Therefore, SBA has determined that this rule has no federalism implications warranting preparation of a federalism assessment. lotter on DSK30NT082PROD with RULES Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35 SBA has determined that this rule will modify existing recordkeeping or reporting requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The amendments to the PPP made by the Flexibility Act and implemented in this interim final rule will require conforming revisions to the PPP Borrower Application Form (SBA Form 2483), the PPP Lender Application Form (SBA Form 2484), and the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application (SBA Form 3508). SBA will submit the modified forms to OMB for approval as a modification to the existing PPP information collection. This information collection is currently approved as an emergency request under OMB Control Number 3245–0407 until October 31, 2020. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that when an agency issues a proposed rule, or a final rule pursuant to section 553(b) of the APA or another law, the agency must prepare a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Jun 15, 2020 Jkt 250001 regulatory flexibility analysis that meets the requirements of the RFA and publish such analysis in the Federal Register. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. Specifically, the RFA normally requires agencies to describe the impact of a rulemaking on small entities by providing a regulatory impact analysis. Such analysis must address the consideration of regulatory options that would lessen the economic effect of the rule on small entities. The RFA defines a ‘‘small entity’’ as (1) a proprietary firm meeting the size standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA); (2) a nonprofit organization that is not dominant in its field; or (3) a small government jurisdiction with a population of less than 50,000. 5 U.S.C. 601(3)–(6). Except for such small government jurisdictions, neither State nor local governments are ‘‘small entities.’’ Similarly, for purposes of the RFA, individual persons are not small entities. The requirement to conduct a regulatory impact analysis does not apply if the head of the agency ‘‘certifies that the rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.’’ 5 U.S.C. 605(b). The agency must, however, publish the certification in the Federal Register at the time of publication of the rule, ‘‘along with a statement providing the factual basis for such certification.’’ If the agency head has not waived the requirements for a regulatory flexibility analysis in accordance with the RFA’s waiver provision, and no other RFA exception applies, the agency must prepare the regulatory flexibility analysis and publish it in the Federal Register at the time of promulgation or, if the rule is promulgated in response to an emergency that makes timely compliance impracticable, within 180 days of publication of the final rule. 5 U.S.C. 604(a), 608(b). Rules that are exempt from notice and comment are also exempt from the RFA requirements, including conducting a regulatory flexibility analysis, when among other things the agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy guide: How to Comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Ac. Ch.1. p.9. Accordingly, SBA is not required to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36); Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, Pub. L. 116–142; Coronavirus Aid, Relief, PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. 116–136, Section 1114. Jovita Carranza, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2020–12909 Filed 6–12–20; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2020–0466; Project Identifier MCAI–2020–00504–A; Amendment 39–21143; AD 2020–12–08] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Empresa Brasileira de Aerona´utica S.A.) Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. AGENCY: The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2011–20– 01 for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aerona´utica S.A. (now Embraer S.A.) Model EMB–505 airplanes. AD 2011– 20–01 required replacing the bolts that attach the balance mass weights to the elevator structure. This AD requires inspections of the mass-balance weights of the elevators, ailerons, and rudder (flight control surfaces) and their attachment parts and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the airworthiness limitation section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion in the mass-balance weights of the flight control surfaces, and a determination that new airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: This AD is effective July 1, 2020. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 1, 2020. The FAA must receive any comments on this AD by July 31, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 16, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36308-36312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12909]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Part 120

[Docket No. SBA-2020-0035]
RIN 3245-AH49


Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection 
Program--Revisions to First Interim Final Rule

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Interim final rule.

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SUMMARY: On April 2, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 
posted on its website an interim final rule relating to the 
implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, 
Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act) (published in 
the Federal Register on April 15, 2020). Section 1102 of the Act 
temporarily adds a new product, titled the ``Paycheck Protection 
Program,'' to the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA's) 7(a) 
Loan Program. Subsequently, SBA issued a number of interim final rules 
implementing the Paycheck Protection Program. On June 5, 2020, the 
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (Flexibility Act) 
was signed into law, amending the CARES Act. This interim final rule 
revises SBA's interim final rule published in the Federal Register on 
April 15, 2020, by changing key provisions, such as the loan maturity, 
deferral of loan payments, and forgiveness provisions, to conform to 
the Flexibility Act. SBA also is making conforming amendments to the 
use of PPP loan proceeds for consistency with amendments made in the 
Flexibility Act. Several of these amendments are retroactive to the 
date of enactment of the CARES Act, as required by section 3(d) of the 
Flexibility Act.

DATES: 
    Effective Dates: The provisions in this interim final rule related 
to loan forgiveness and deferral periods for PPP

[[Page 36309]]

loans are effective March 27, 2020. The provision in this interim final 
rule relating to the maturity date of PPP loans is effective June 5, 
2020. The remaining provisions in this interim final rule are effective 
June 12, 2020.
    Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before July 16, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by number SBA-2020-0035, 
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    SBA will post all comments on www.regulations.gov. If you wish to 
submit confidential business information (CBI) as defined in the User 
Notice at www.regulations.gov, please send an email to [email protected]. 
Highlight the information that you consider to be CBI and explain why 
you believe SBA should hold this information as confidential. SBA will 
review the information and make the final determination whether it will 
publish the information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A Call Center Representative at 833-
572-0502, or the local SBA Field Office; the list of offices can be 
found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background Information

    On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared the ongoing Coronavirus 
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude 
to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, territories, and 
the District of Columbia. With the COVID-19 emergency, many small 
businesses nationwide are experiencing economic hardship as a direct 
result of the Federal, State, and local public health measures that are 
being taken to minimize the public's exposure to the virus. These 
measures, some of which are government-mandated, have been implemented 
nationwide and include the closures of restaurants, bars, and gyms. In 
addition, based on the advice of public health officials, other 
measures, such as keeping a safe distance from others or even stay-at-
home orders, have been implemented, resulting in a dramatic decrease in 
economic activity as the public avoids malls, retail stores, and other 
businesses.
    On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, 
Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act or the Act) (Pub. L. 
116-136) to provide emergency assistance and health care response for 
individuals, families, and businesses affected by the coronavirus 
pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA) received funding and 
authority through the Act to modify existing loan programs and 
establish a new loan program to assist small businesses nationwide 
adversely impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
    Section 1102 of the Act temporarily permits SBA to guarantee 100 
percent of 7(a) loans under a new program titled the ``Paycheck 
Protection Program.'' Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness 
of up to the full principal amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under 
the Paycheck Protection Program. A more detailed discussion of sections 
1102 and 1106 of the Act is found in section III below.
    On April 24, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection 
Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 116-139), which 
provided additional funding and authority for the PPP. On June 5, 2020, 
the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 
2020 (Flexibility Act) (Pub. L. 116-142), which changes key provisions 
of the Paycheck Protection Program, including provisions relating to 
the maturity of PPP loans, the deferral of PPP loan payments, and the 
forgiveness of PPP loans. Section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act provides 
that the amendments relating to PPP loan forgiveness and extension of 
the deferral period for PPP loans shall be effective as if included in 
the CARES Act, which means that they are retroactive to March 27, 2020. 
Section 2 of the Flexibility Act provides that the amendment relating 
to the extension of the maturity date for PPP loans shall take effect 
on the date of enactment (June 5, 2020). Under the Flexibility Act, the 
extension of the maturity date for PPP loans is applicable to PPP loans 
made on or after that date, and lenders and borrowers may mutually 
agree to modify PPP loans made before such date to reflect the longer 
maturity.

II. Comments and Retroactive/Immediate Effective Date

    This interim final rule is effective without advance notice and 
public comment because section 1114 of the CARES Act authorizes SBA to 
issue regulations to implement Title I of the Act without regard to 
notice requirements. In addition, SBA has determined that there is good 
cause for dispensing with advance public notice and comment on the 
grounds that that it would be contrary to the public interest. 
Specifically, advance public notice and comment would defeat the 
purpose of this interim final rule given that SBA's authority to 
guarantee PPP loans expires on June 30, 2020, and that many PPP 
borrowers can now apply for loan forgiveness following the end of their 
eight-week covered period. Providing borrowers and lenders with 
certainty on both loan requirements and loan forgiveness requirements 
following the enactment of the Flexibility Act will enhance the ability 
of lenders to make loans and process loan forgiveness applications, 
particularly in light of the fact that most of the Flexibility Act's 
provisions are retroactive to March 27, 2020. Specifically, small 
businesses that have yet to apply for and receive a PPP loan need to be 
informed of the terms of PPP loans as soon as possible, because the 
last day on which a lender can obtain an SBA loan number for a PPP loan 
is June 30, 2020. Borrowers who already have applied for and received a 
PPP loan need certainty regarding how loan proceeds must be used during 
the covered period, as amended by the Flexibility Act, so that they can 
maximize the amount of loan forgiveness. These same reasons provide 
good cause for SBA to dispense with the 30-day delayed effective date 
provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. Although this interim 
final rule is effective on or before date of filing, comments are 
solicited from interested members of the public on all aspects of the 
interim final rule, including section III below. These comments must be 
submitted on or before July 16, 2020. The SBA will consider these 
comments, comments received on the interim final rule posted on SBA's 
website April 2, 2020 (the First Interim Final Rule) and published in 
the Federal Register on April 15, 2020, and the need for making any 
revisions as a result of these comments.

III. Paycheck Protection Program--Revisions to First Interim Final Rule 
(85 FR 20811)

Overview

    The CARES Act was enacted to provide immediate assistance to 
individuals, families, and businesses affected by the COVID-19 
emergency. Among the provisions contained in the CARES Act are 
provisions authorizing SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under a new 
7(a) loan program titled the ``Paycheck Protection Program.'' Loans 
guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will be 100 
percent guaranteed by SBA, and the full principal amount of the loans 
may qualify for loan forgiveness. The Flexibility Act amends the CARES 
Act and amends provisions relating to loan terms and loan forgiveness. 
The purpose of this interim final rule is to make changes to the First 
Interim Final Rule,

[[Page 36310]]

posted on SBA's website on April 2, 2020, and published in the Federal 
Register on April 15, 2020 (85 FR 20811). The First Interim Final Rule, 
as amended by this interim final rule, should be interpreted consistent 
with the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the PPP that are 
posted on SBA's website \1\ and the other interim final rules issued 
regarding the PPP.\2\
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    \1\ See https://www.sba.gov/document/support--faq-lenders-borrowers.
    \2\ See https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program.
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1. Changes to the First Interim Final Rule
a. Covered Period for PPP Loans
    Section 3(a) of the Flexibility Act amended the definition of 
``covered period'' for a PPP loan from ``the period beginning on 
February 15, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2020'' to ``the period 
beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020.'' 
Therefore, Part III.2.g.iii. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 
20811, 20813) is revised by striking ``June 30, 2020'' and replacing it 
with ``December 31, 2020''. Section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act 
provides that this amendment shall be effective as if included in the 
CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020.
    This amendment by the Flexibility Act applies to the definition of 
``covered period'' that appears in section 1102 of the CARES Act, 
governing loan use, loan eligibility, and related requirements. It does 
not alter the meaning of ``covered period'' that appears in section 
1106 of the CARES Act governing loan forgiveness, which is addressed by 
a different provision of the Flexibility Act.
b. Maturity Date for PPP Loans
    Section 2(a) of the Flexibility Act amended the CARES Act to 
provide a minimum maturity of five years for all PPP loans made on or 
after the date of enactment of the Flexibility Act. Therefore, Part 
III.2.j. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20813) is 
revised to read as follows:
    j. What will be the maturity date on a PPP loan?
    For loans made before June 5, 2020, the maturity is two years; 
however, borrowers and lenders may mutually agree to extend the 
maturity of such loans to five years. For loans made on or after June 
5, the maturity is five years.
    Section 2 of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 
2020 (Flexibility Act) amended the CARES Act to provide a minimum 
maturity of 5 years for all PPP loans made on or after its enactment. 
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that 
the date SBA assigns a loan number to the PPP loan provides an 
efficient, transparent, and auditable means of determining when a PPP 
loan is ``made'' that provides certainty to lenders. While the CARES 
Act provides that a loan will have a maximum maturity of up to ten 
years from the date the borrower applies for loan forgiveness, the 
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that a 
five-year loan term is sufficient in light of the temporary economic 
dislocations caused by the coronavirus. Specifically, the considerable 
economic disruption caused by the coronavirus is expected to abate well 
before the five-year maturity date such that borrowers will be able to 
resume business operations and pay off any outstanding balances on 
their PPP loans.
c. Deferral Period for PPP Loans
    Section 3(c) of the Flexibility Act extended the deferral period on 
PPP loans. Therefore, Part III.2.n. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 
FR 20811, 20813) is revised to read as follows:
    n. When will I have to begin paying principal and interest on my 
PPP loan?
    If you submit to your lender a loan forgiveness application within 
10 months after the end of your loan forgiveness covered period, you 
will not have to make any payments of principal or interest on your 
loan before the date on which SBA remits the loan forgiveness amount on 
your loan to your lender (or notifies your lender that no loan 
forgiveness is allowed).
    Your ``loan forgiveness covered period'' is the 24-week period 
beginning on the date your PPP loan is disbursed; however, if your PPP 
loan was made before June 5, 2020, you may elect to have your loan 
forgiveness covered period be the eight-week period beginning on the 
date your PPP loan was disbursed.\3\ Your lender must notify you of 
remittance by SBA of the loan forgiveness amount (or notify you that 
SBA determined that no loan forgiveness is allowed) and the date your 
first payment is due. Interest continues to accrue during the deferment 
period.
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    \3\ Under section 3(b)(1) of the Flexibility Act, the loan 
forgiveness covered period of any borrower will end no later than 
December 31, 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If you do not submit to your lender a loan forgiveness application 
within 10 months after the end of your loan forgiveness covered period, 
you must begin paying principal and interest after that period. For 
example, if a borrower's PPP loan is disbursed on June 25, 2020, the 
24-week period ends on December 10, 2020. If the borrower does not 
submit a loan forgiveness application to its lender by October 10, 
2021, the borrower must begin making payments on or after October 10, 
2021.
d. Loan Forgiveness
    Section 3(b) of the Flexibility Act amended the requirements 
concerning forgiveness of PPP loans to reduce the amount of PPP loan 
proceeds that must be used for payroll costs in order to be forgivable, 
and the law also created a new exemption for borrowers to avoid a 
reduction in loan forgiveness amount when they have a reduction in 
full-time equivalent employees. While the Flexibility Act provides that 
a borrower shall use at least 60 percent of the PPP loan for payroll 
costs to receive loan forgiveness, the Administrator, in consultation 
with the Secretary, interprets this requirement as a proportional limit 
on nonpayroll costs as a share of the borrower's loan forgiveness 
amount, rather than as a threshold for receiving any loan forgiveness. 
This interpretation is consistent with the new safe harbor in the 
Flexibility Act. The new safe harbor provides that if a borrower is 
unable to rehire previously employed individuals or similarly qualified 
employees, the borrower will not have its loan forgiveness amount 
reduced based on the reduction in full-time equivalent employees. It 
would be incongruous to interpret the Flexibility Act's 60 percent 
requirement as a threshold for receiving any loan forgiveness, because 
in some cases it would directly conflict with the flexibility provided 
by the new safe harbor. Further, the 60 percent requirement in the 
Flexibility Act was enacted against the backdrop of SBA's existing 
rules governing the PPP, which Congress was aware of and which provided 
for proportional reductions in loan forgiveness for borrowers that used 
less than 75% of their loan amount during the eight-week covered period 
for payroll costs. In addition, this interpretation of the 60 percent 
requirement under the Flexibility Act is most consistent with 
Congress's purpose in that legislation--namely, to increase the 
flexibility provided to borrowers related to PPP loan forgiveness.
    In addition, as noted in paragraph d. above, in seeking loan 
forgiveness, an eligible borrower whose loan was made before June 5, 
2020 may elect to apply the original eight-week covered period under 
the CARES Act instead of the 24-week covered period referenced above. 
See Flexibility Act, section 3(b)(3).

[[Page 36311]]

    SBA will be issuing revisions to its interim final rules on loan 
forgiveness and loan review procedures to address amendments the 
Flexibility Act made to the loan forgiveness requirements. SBA will 
also be issuing additional guidance on advance purchases of PPP loans, 
which will include any effect of the amendments made to the loan 
forgiveness requirements. For the reasons described above, Part 
III.2.o. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20813) is 
revised to read as follows:
    o. Can my PPP loan be forgiven in whole or in part?
    Yes. The amount of loan forgiveness can be up to the full principal 
amount of the loan and any accrued interest. An eligible borrower will 
not be responsible for any loan payment if the borrower uses all of the 
loan proceeds for forgivable purposes as described below and employee 
and compensation levels are maintained or, if not, an applicable safe 
harbor applies. The actual amount of loan forgiveness will depend, in 
part, on the total amount of payroll costs, payments of interest on 
mortgage obligations incurred before February 15, 2020, rent payments 
on leases dated before February 15, 2020, and utility payments for 
service that began before February 15, 2020, over the loan forgiveness 
covered period. However, to receive full loan forgiveness, a borrower 
must use at least 60 percent of the PPP loan for payroll costs, and not 
more than 40 percent of the loan forgiveness amount may be attributable 
to nonpayroll costs. For example, if a borrower uses 59 percent of its 
PPP loan for payroll costs, it will not receive the full amount of loan 
forgiveness it might otherwise be eligible to receive. Instead, the 
borrower will receive partial loan forgiveness, based on the 
requirement that 60 percent of the forgiveness amount must be 
attributable to payroll costs. For example, if a borrower receives a 
$100,000 PPP loan, and during the covered period the borrower spends 
$54,000 (or 54 percent) of its loan on payroll costs, then because the 
borrower used less than 60 percent of its loan on payroll costs, the 
maximum amount of loan forgiveness the borrower may receive is $90,000 
(with $54,000 in payroll costs constituting 60 percent of the 
forgiveness amount and $36,000 in nonpayroll costs constituting 40 
percent of the forgiveness amount).
e. Use of PPP Loan Proceeds
    For consistency with the amendments made in the Flexibility Act 
regarding the percentage of loan proceeds that must be used for payroll 
costs in order to be forgiven, discussed in paragraph 2.e. above, Part 
III.2.r. of the First Interim Final Rule (85 FR 20811, 20814) is 
revised to read as follows:
    r. How can PPP loans be used?
    The proceeds of a PPP loan are to be used for:
    i. payroll costs (as defined in the Act and in 2.f.);
    ii. costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits 
during periods of paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance 
premiums;
    iii. mortgage interest payments (but not mortgage prepayments or 
principal payments);
    iv. rent payments;
    v. utility payments;
    vi. interest payments on any other debt obligations that were 
incurred before February 15, 2020; and/or
    vii. refinancing an SBA EIDL loan made between January 31, 2020 and 
April 3, 2020. If you received an SBA EIDL loan from January 31, 2020 
through April 3, 2020, you can apply for a PPP loan. If your EIDL loan 
was not used for payroll costs, it does not affect your eligibility for 
a PPP loan. If your EIDL loan was used for payroll costs, your PPP loan 
must be used to refinance your EIDL loan. Proceeds from any advance up 
to $10,000 on the EIDL loan will be deducted from the loan forgiveness 
amount on the PPP loan.
    At least 60 percent of the PPP loan proceeds shall be used for 
payroll costs. For purposes of determining the percentage of use of 
proceeds for payroll costs, the amount of any EIDL refinanced will be 
included. For purposes of loan forgiveness, however, the borrower will 
have to document the proceeds used for payroll costs in order to 
determine the amount of forgiveness. While the Act provides that PPP 
loan proceeds may be used for the purposes listed above and for other 
allowable uses described in section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(a)), the Administrator believes that finite appropriations 
and the structure of the Act warrant a requirement that borrowers use a 
substantial portion of the loan proceeds for payroll costs, consistent 
with Congress' overarching goal of keeping workers paid and employed. 
This percentage is consistent with the limitation on the forgiveness 
amount set forth in the Flexibility Act. This limitation on use of the 
loan funds will help to ensure that the finite appropriations available 
for these loans are directed toward payroll protection, as each loan 
that is issued depletes the appropriation, regardless of whether 
portions of the loan are later forgiven.
f. Borrower Certifications
    For consistency with the changes discussed in paragraphs 2.e. and 
f. above, Parts III.2.t.iii., iv., and v. of the First Interim Final 
Rule (85 FR 20811, 20814) are revised to read as follows:
    t. What certifications need to be made?
* * * * *
    iii. The funds will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll 
or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility 
payments; I understand that if the funds are knowingly used for 
unauthorized purposes, the Federal Government may hold me legally 
liable such as for charges of fraud. As explained above, not more than 
40 percent of loan proceeds may be used for nonpayroll costs.
    iv. Documentation verifying the number of full-time equivalent 
employees on payroll as well as the dollar amounts of payroll costs, 
covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent payments, and covered 
utilities for the loan forgiveness covered period for the loan will be 
provided to the lender.
    v. Loan forgiveness will be provided for the sum of documented 
payroll costs, covered mortgage interest payments, covered rent 
payments, and covered utility payments. As explained above, not more 
than 40 percent of the forgiven amount may be used for nonpayroll 
costs.
* * * * *
2. Additional Information
    SBA may provide further guidance, if needed, through SBA notices 
which will be posted on SBA's website at www.sba.gov. Questions on the 
Paycheck Protection Program may be directed to the Lender Relations 
Specialist in the local SBA Field Office. The local SBA Field Office 
may be found at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices.

Compliance With Executive Orders 12866, 12988, 13132, 13563, and 13771, 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35), and the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612)

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771

    This interim final rule is economically significant for the 
purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, and is considered a major 
rule under the Congressional Review Act. SBA, however, is proceeding 
under the emergency provision at Executive Order 12866 Section 
6(a)(3)(D) based on the need to move expeditiously to mitigate the 
current economic conditions arising

[[Page 36312]]

from the COVID-19 emergency. This rule's designation under Executive 
Order 13771 will be informed by public comment.
    This rule is necessary to implement Sections 1102 and 1106 of the 
CARES Act and the Flexibility Act in order to provide economic relief 
to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the COVID-19 
Emergency Declaration. We anticipate that this rule will result in 
substantial benefits to small businesses, their employees, and the 
communities they serve. However, we lack data to estimate the effects 
of this rule.

Executive Order 12988

    SBA has drafted this rule, to the extent practicable, in accordance 
with the standards set forth in section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 
Order 12988, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce 
burden. The rule has no preemptive effect but does have a limited 
retroactive effect consistent with section 3(d) of the Flexibility Act.

Executive Order 13132

    SBA has determined that this rule will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the National 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various layers of government. Therefore, SBA 
has determined that this rule has no federalism implications warranting 
preparation of a federalism assessment.

Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35

    SBA has determined that this rule will modify existing 
recordkeeping or reporting requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. The amendments to the PPP made by the Flexibility Act and 
implemented in this interim final rule will require conforming 
revisions to the PPP Borrower Application Form (SBA Form 2483), the PPP 
Lender Application Form (SBA Form 2484), and the PPP Loan Forgiveness 
Application (SBA Form 3508). SBA will submit the modified forms to OMB 
for approval as a modification to the existing PPP information 
collection. This information collection is currently approved as an 
emergency request under OMB Control Number 3245-0407 until October 31, 
2020.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that when 
an agency issues a proposed rule, or a final rule pursuant to section 
553(b) of the APA or another law, the agency must prepare a regulatory 
flexibility analysis that meets the requirements of the RFA and publish 
such analysis in the Federal Register. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. Specifically, 
the RFA normally requires agencies to describe the impact of a 
rulemaking on small entities by providing a regulatory impact analysis. 
Such analysis must address the consideration of regulatory options that 
would lessen the economic effect of the rule on small entities. The RFA 
defines a ``small entity'' as (1) a proprietary firm meeting the size 
standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA); (2) a nonprofit 
organization that is not dominant in its field; or (3) a small 
government jurisdiction with a population of less than 50,000. 5 U.S.C. 
601(3)-(6). Except for such small government jurisdictions, neither 
State nor local governments are ``small entities.'' Similarly, for 
purposes of the RFA, individual persons are not small entities.
    The requirement to conduct a regulatory impact analysis does not 
apply if the head of the agency ``certifies that the rule will not, if 
promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 605(b). The agency must, however, publish 
the certification in the Federal Register at the time of publication of 
the rule, ``along with a statement providing the factual basis for such 
certification.'' If the agency head has not waived the requirements for 
a regulatory flexibility analysis in accordance with the RFA's waiver 
provision, and no other RFA exception applies, the agency must prepare 
the regulatory flexibility analysis and publish it in the Federal 
Register at the time of promulgation or, if the rule is promulgated in 
response to an emergency that makes timely compliance impracticable, 
within 180 days of publication of the final rule. 5 U.S.C. 604(a), 
608(b).
    Rules that are exempt from notice and comment are also exempt from 
the RFA requirements, including conducting a regulatory flexibility 
analysis, when among other things the agency for good cause finds that 
notice and public procedure are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary 
to the public interest. Small Business Administration's Office of 
Advocacy guide: How to Comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Ac. Ch.1. 
p.9. Accordingly, SBA is not required to conduct a regulatory 
flexibility analysis.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36); Paycheck Protection Program 
Flexibility Act of 2020, Pub. L. 116-142; Coronavirus Aid, Relief, 
and Economic Security Act, Pub. L. 116-136, Section 1114.

Jovita Carranza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-12909 Filed 6-12-20; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE P


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