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EXHIBIT
A
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No. SBA-2020-0015]
13 CFR Part 120
Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program
RIN 3245-AH34
AGENCY:
U. S. Small Business Administration.
ACTION:
Interim Final Rule.
SUMMARY: This interim final rule announces the implementation of sections 1102 and
1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the
Act). 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. Section 1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness of up to the full principal
amount of qualifying loans guaranteed under the Paycheck Protection Program. The
Paycheck Protection Program and loan forgiveness are intended to provide economic
relief to small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration (COVID-19 Emergency Declaration) issued
by President Trump on March 13, 2020. This interim final rule outlines the key
provisions of SBA’s implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act in formal
guidance and requests public comment.
DATES: Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective [INSERT DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
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Applicability Date: This interim final rule applies to applications submitted under the
Paycheck Protection Program through June 30, 2020, or until funds made available for
this purpose are exhausted.
Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS
AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
You may submit comments, identified by number SBA-2020-0015 through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: http://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 dianna.seaborn@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: 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
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minimize the public’s exposure to the virus. These measures, some of which are
government-mandated, are being 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,
are being 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) (P.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.
II.
Comments and Immediate Effective Date
The intent of the Act is that SBA provide relief to America’s small businesses
expeditiously. This intent, along with the dramatic decrease in economic activity
nationwide, provides good cause for SBA to dispense with the 30-day delayed effective
date provided in the Administrative Procedure Act. Specifically, small businesses need
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to be informed on how to apply for a loan and the terms of the loan under section 1102 of
the Act as soon as possible because the last day to apply for and receive a loan is June 30,
2020. The immediate effective date of this interim final rule will benefit small businesses
so that they can immediately apply for the loan with a full understanding of loan terms
and conditions. This interim final rule is effective without advance notice and public
comment because section 1114 of the Act authorizes SBA to issue regulations to
implement Title 1 of the Act without regard to notice requirements. This rule is being
issued to allow for immediate implementation of this program. Although this interim
final rule is effective immediately, 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 [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. The SBA will consider these
comments and the need for making any revisions as a result of these comments.
III.
Temporary New Business Loan Program: Paycheck Protection Program
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
following outlines the key provisions of the PPP.
1. General
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SBA is authorized to guarantee loans under the PPP through June 30, 2020. Congress
authorized a program level of $349,000,000,000 to provide guaranteed loans under this
new 7(a) program. The intent of the Act is that SBA provide relief to America’s small
businesses expeditiously, which is expressed in the Act by giving all lenders delegated
authority and streamlining the requirements of the regular 7(a) loan program. For
example, for loans made under the PPP, SBA will not require the lenders to comply with
section 120.150 “What are SBA’s lending criteria?.” SBA will allow lenders to rely on
certifications of the borrower in order to determine eligibility of the borrower and use of
loan proceeds and to rely on specified documents provided by the borrower to determine
qualifying loan amount and eligibility for loan forgiveness. Lenders must comply with
the applicable lender obligations set forth in this interim final rule, but will be held
harmless for borrowers’ failure to comply with program criteria; remedies for borrower
violations or fraud are separately addressed in this interim final rule. The program
requirements of the PPP identified in this rule temporarily supersede any conflicting Loan
Program Requirement (as defined in 13 CFR 120.10).
2. What Do Borrowers Need to Know and Do?
a. Am I eligible?
You are eligible for a PPP loan if you have 500 or fewer employees whose
principal place of residence is in the United States, or are a business that operates
in a certain industry and meet the applicable SBA employee-based size standards
for that industry, and:
i. You are:
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A.
A small business concern as defined in section 3 of the
Small Business Act (15 USC 632), and subject to SBA’s affiliation
rules under 13 CFR 121.301(f) unless specifically waived in the
Act;
B.
A tax-exempt nonprofit organization described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), a tax-exempt
veterans organization described in section 501(c)(19) of the IRC,
Tribal business concern described in section 31(b)(2)(C) of the
Small Business Act, or any other business; and
ii. You were in operation on February 15, 2020 and either had employees for
whom you paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent contractors,
as reported on a Form 1099-MISC.
You are also eligible for a PPP loan if you are an individual who operates
under a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor or eligible self-
employed individual, you were in operation on February 15, 2020.
You must also submit such documentation as is necessary to establish
eligibility such as payroll processor records, payroll tax filings, or Form 1099-
MISC, or income and expenses from a sole proprietorship. For borrowers that
do not have any such documentation, the borrower must provide other
supporting documentation, such as bank records, sufficient to demonstrate the
qualifying payroll amount.
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SBA intends to promptly issue additional guidance with regard to the
applicability of affiliation rules at 13 CFR §§ 121.103 and 121.301 to PPP
loans.
b. Could I be ineligible even if I meet the eligibility requirements in (a) above?
You are ineligible for a PPP loan if, for example:
i. You are engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local
law;
ii. You are a household employer (individuals who employ household
employees such as nannies or housekeepers);
iii. An owner of 20 percent or more of the equity of the applicant is
incarcerated, on probation, on parole; presently subject to an indictment,
criminal information, arraignment, or other means by which formal
criminal charges are brought in any jurisdiction; or has been convicted of a
felony within the last five years; or
iv. You, or any business owned or controlled by you or any of your owners,
has ever obtained a direct or guaranteed loan from SBA or any other
Federal agency that is currently delinquent or has defaulted within the last
seven years and caused a loss to the government.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury (the
Secretary), determined that household employers are ineligible because they are
not businesses. 13 CFR 120.100.
c. How do I determine if I am ineligible?
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Businesses that are not eligible for PPP loans are identified in 13 CFR 120.110
and described further in SBA’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 50 10,
Subpart B, Chapter 2, except that nonprofit organizations authorized under the
Act are eligible. (SOP 50 10 can be found at https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-
50-10-5-lender-development-company-loan-programs.)
d. I have determined that I am eligible. How much can I borrow?
Under the PPP, the maximum loan amount is the lesser of $10 million or an
amount that you will calculate using a payroll-based formula specified in the Act,
as explained below.
e. How do I calculate the maximum amount I can borrow?
The following methodology, which is one of the methodologies contained in the
Act, will be most useful for many applicants.
i. Step 1: Aggregate payroll costs (defined in detail below in f.) from the last
twelve months for employees whose principal place of residence is the
United States.
ii. Step 2: Subtract any compensation paid to an employee in excess of an
annual salary of $100,000 and/or any amounts paid to an independent
contractor or sole proprietor in excess of $100,000 per year.
iii. Step 3: Calculate average monthly payroll costs (divide the amount from
Step 2 by 12).
iv. Step 4: Multiply the average monthly payroll costs from Step 3 by 2.5.
v. Step 5: Add the outstanding amount of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan
(EIDL) made between January 31, 2020 and April 3, 2020, less the
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amount of any “advance” under an EIDL COVID-19 loan (because it does
not have to be repaid).
The examples below illustrate this methodology.
i. Example 1 – No employees make more than $100,000
Annual payroll: $120,000
Average monthly payroll: $10,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $25,000
Maximum loan amount is $25,000
ii. Example 2 – Some employees make more than $100,000
Annual payroll: $1,500,000
Subtract compensation amounts in excess of an annual salary of
$100,000: $1,200,000
Average monthly qualifying payroll: $100,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $250,000
Maximim loan amount is $250,000
iii. Example 3 – No employees make more than $100,000, outstanding EIDL
loan of $10,000.
Annual payroll: $120,000
Average monthly payroll: $10,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $25,000
Add EIDL loan of $10,000 = $35,000
Maximum loan amount is $35,000
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iv. Example 4 – Some employees make more than $100,000, outstanding
EIDL loan of $10,000
Annual payroll: $1,500,000
Subtract compensation amounts in excess of an annual salary of
$100,000: $1,200,000
Average monthly qualifying payroll: $100,000
Multiply by 2.5 = $250,000
Add EIDL loan of $10,000 = $260,000
Maximum loan amount is $260,000
f. What qualifies as “payroll costs?”
Payroll costs consist of compensation to employees (whose principal place of
residence is the United States) in the form of salary, wages, commissions, or
similar compensation; cash tips or the equivalent (based on employer records of
past tips or, in the absence of such records, a reasonable, good-faith employer
estimate of such tips); payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick
leave; allowance for separation or dismissal; payment for the provision of
employee benefits consisting of group health care coverage, including insurance
premiums, and retirement; payment of state and local taxes assessed on
compensation of employees; and for an independent contractor or sole proprietor,
wage, commissions, income, or net earnings from self-employment or similar
compensation.
g. Is there anything that is expressly excluded from the definition of payroll costs?
Yes. The Act expressly excludes the following:
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i. Any compensation of an employee whose principal place of residence is
outside of the United States;
ii. The compensation of an individual employee in excess of an annual salary
of $100,000, prorated as necessary;
iii. Federal employment taxes imposed or withheld between February 15,
2020 and June 30, 2020, including the employee’s and employer’s share
of FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and Railroad Retirement
Act taxes, and income taxes required to be withheld from employees; and
iv. Qualified sick and family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under
sections 7001 and 7003 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
(Public Law 116–127).
h. Do independent contractors count as employees for purposes of PPP loan
calculations?
No, independent contractors have the ability to apply for a PPP loan on their own
so they do not count for purposes of a borrower’s PPP loan calculation.
i. What is the interest rate on a PPP loan?
The interest rate will be 100 basis points or one percent.
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that a one
percent interest rate is appropriate. First, it provides low cost funds to borrowers
to meet eligible payroll costs and other eligible expenses during this temporary
period of economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus. Second, for lenders,
the 100 basis points offers an attractive interest rate relative to the cost of funding
for comparable maturities. For example, the FDIC’s weekly national average rate
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for a 24-month CD deposit product for the week of March 30, 2020 is 42 basis
points for non-jumbo and 44 basis points for jumbo
(https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/rates/). Third, the interest rate is
higher than the yield on Treasury securities of comparable maturity. For example,
the yield on the Treasury two-year note is approximately 23 basis points. This
higher yield combined with the fact that the loans are 100 percent guaranteed by
the SBA and the fact that lenders will receive a substantial processing fee from
the SBA provide ample inducement for lenders to participate in the PPP.
j. What will be the maturity date on a PPP loan?
The maturity is two years. While the Act provides that a loan will have a
maximum maturity of up to ten years from the date the borrower applies for loan
forgiveness (described below), the Administrator, in consultation with the
Secretary, determined that a two 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 two year maturity date such that borrowers will be able to re-
commence business operations and pay off any outstanding balances on their PPP
loans.
k. Can I apply for more than one PPP loan?
No. The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that no
eligible borrower may receive more than one PPP loan. This means that if you
apply for a PPP loan you should consider applying for the maximum amount.
While the Act does not expressly provide that each eligible borrower may only
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receive one PPP loan, the Administrator has determined, in consultation with the
Secretary, that because all PPP loans must be made on or before June 30, 2020, a
one loan per borrower limitation is necessary to help ensure that as many eligible
borrowers as possible may obtain a PPP loan. This limitation will also help
advance Congress’ goal of keeping workers paid and employed across the United
States.
l. Can I use e-signatures or e-consents if a borrower has multiple owners?
Yes, e-signature or e-consents can be used regardless of the number of owners.
m. Is the PPP “first-come, first-served?”
Yes.
n. When will I have to begin paying principal and interest on my PPP loan?
You will not have to make any payments for six months following the date of
disbursement of the loan. However, interest will continue to accrue on PPP loans
during this six-month deferment. The Act authorizes the Administrator to defer
loan payments for up to one year. The Administrator determined, in consultation
with the Secretary, that a six-month deferment period is appropriate in light of the
modest interest rate (one percent) on PPP loans and the loan forgiveness
provisions contained in the Act.
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. That is, the borrower will not be responsible for
any loan payment if the borrower uses all of the loan proceeds for forgiveable
purposes described below and employee and compensation levels levels are
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maintained. 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 under service agreements dated before February
15, 2020, over the eight-week period following the date of the loan. However, not
more than 25 percent of the loan forgiveness amount may be attributable to non-
payroll costs. While the Act provides that borrowers are eligible for forgiveness
in an amount equal to the sum of payroll costs and any payments of mortgage
interest, rent, and utilities, the Administrator has determined that the non-payroll
portion of the forgivable loan amount should be limited to effectuate the core
purpose of the statute and ensure finite program resources are devoted primarily
to payroll. The Administrator has determined in consultation with the Secretary
that 75 percent is an appropriate percentage in light of the Act’s overarching focus
on keeping workers paid and employed. Further, the Administrator and the
Secretary believe that applying this threshold to loan forgiveness is consistent
with the structure of the Act, which provides a loan amount 75 percent of which is
equivalent to eight weeks of payroll (8 weeks / 2.5 months = 56 days / 76 days =
74 percent rounded up to 75 percent). Limiting non-payroll costs to 25 percent of
the forgiveness amount will align these elements of the program, and will also
help to ensure that the finite appropriations available for PPP loan forgiveness are
directed toward payroll protection. SBA will issue additional guidance on loan
forgiveness.
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p. Do independent contractors count as employees for purposes of PPP loan
forgiveness?
No, independent contractors have the ability to apply for a PPP loan on their own
so they do not count for purposes of a borrower’s PPP loan forgiveness.
q. What forms do I need and how do I submit an application?
The applicant must submit SBA Form 2483 (Paycheck Protection Program
Application Form) and payroll documentation, as described above. The lender
must submit SBA Form 2484 (Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s
Application for 7(a) Loan Guaranty) electronically in accordance with program
requirements and maintain the forms and supporting documentation in its files.
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
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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.
However, at least 75 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. As with the similar limitation on the
forgiveness amount explained earlier, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Secretary, has determined that 75 percent is an appropriate percentage that will
align this element of the program with the loan amount, 75 percent of which is
equivalent to eight weeks of payroll. This limitation on use of the loan funds will
help to ensure that the finite appropriations available for these loans are directed
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toward payroll protection, as each loan that is issued depletes the appropriation,
regardless of whether portions of the loan are later forgiven.
s. What happens if PPP loan funds are misused?
If you use PPP funds for unauthorized purposes, SBA will direct you to repay
those amounts. If you knowingly use the funds for unauthorized purposes, you
will be subject to additional liability such as charges for fraud. If one of your
shareholders, members, or partners uses PPP funds for unauthorized purposes,
SBA will have recourse against the shareholder, member, or partner for the
unauthorized use.
t. What certifications need to be made?
On the Paycheck Protection Program application, an authorized representative of
the applicant must certify in good faith to all of the below:1
i. The applicant was in operation on February 15, 2020 and had employees
for whom it paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent
contractors, as reported on a Form 1099-MISC.
ii. Current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support
the ongoing operations of the applicant.
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
1 A representative of the applicant can certify for the business as a whole if the representative is legally
authorized to do so.
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fraud. As explained above, not more than 25 percent of loan proceeds
may be used for non-payroll 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
eight week period following this 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 utilities. As explained above, not more than 25 percent of the
forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs.
vi. During the period beginning on February 15, 2020 and ending on
December 31, 2020, the applicant has not and will not receive another loan
under this program.
vii. I further certify that the information provided in this application and the
information provided in all supporting documents and forms is true and
accurate in all material respects. I understand that knowingly making a
false statement to obtain a guaranteed loan from SBA is punishable under
the law, including under 18 USC 1001 and 3571 by imprisonment of not
more than five years and/or a fine of up to $250,000; under 15 USC 645
by imprisonment of not more than two years and/or a fine of not more than
$5,000; and, if submitted to a federally insured institution, under 18 USC
1014 by imprisonment of not more than thirty years and/or a fine of not
more than $1,000,000.
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viii.
I acknowledge that the lender will confirm the eligible loan amount
using tax documents I have submitted. I affirm that these tax documents
are identical to those submitted to the Internal Revenue Service. I also
understand, acknowledge, and agree that the Lender can share the tax
information with SBA’s authorized representatives, including authorized
representatives of the SBA Office of Inspector General, for the purpose of
compliance with SBA Loan Program Requirements and all SBA reviews.
3. What Do Lenders Need to Know and Do?
a. Who is eligible to make PPP loans?
i. All SBA 7(a) lenders are automatically approved to make PPP loans on a
delegated basis.
ii. The Act provides that the authority to make PPP loans can be extended to
additional lenders determined by the Administrator and the Secretary to
have the necessary qualifications to process, close, disburse, and service
loans made with the SBA guarantee. Since SBA is authorized to make
PPP loans up to $349 billion by June 30, 2020, the Adminstrator and the
Secretary have jointly determined that authorizing additional lenders is
necessary to achieve the purpose of allowing as many eligible borrowers
as possible to receive loans by the June 30, 2020 deadline.
iii. The following types of lenders have been determined to meet the criteria
and are eligible to make PPP loans unless they currently are designated in
Troubled Condition by their primary federal regulator or are subject to a
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formal enforcement action with their primary federal regulator that
addresses unsafe or unsound lending practices:
I.
Any federally insured depository institution or any federally
insured credit union;
II.
Any Farm Credit System institution (other than the Federal
Agricultural Mortgage Corporation) as defined in 12 U.S.C.
2002(a) that applies the requirements under the Bank Secrecy
Act and its implementing regulations (collectively, BSA) as a
federally regulated financial institution, or functionally
equivalent requirements that are not altered by this rule;
and
III.
Any depository or non-depository financing provider that
originates, maintains, and services business loans or other
commercial financial receivables and participation interests;
has a formalized compliance program; applies the
requirements under the BSA as a federally regulated financial
institution, or the BSA requirements of an equivalent
federally regulated financial institution; has been operating
since at least February 15, 2019, and has originated,
maintained, and serviced more than $50 million in business
loans or other commercial financial receivables during a
consecutive 12 month period in the past 36 months, or is a
service provider to any insured depository institution that has
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a contract to support such institution’s lending activities in
accordance with 12 U.S.C. § 1867(c) and is in good standing
with the appropriate Federal banking agency.
iv. Qualified institutions described in 3.a.iii. I. and II. will be automatically
qualified under delegated authority by the SBA upon transmission of
CARES Act Section 1102 Lender Agreement (SBA Form 3506) unless
they currently are designated in Troubled Condition by their primary
federal regulator or are subject to a formal enforcement action by their
primary federal regulator that addresses unsafe or unsound lending
practices.
b. What do lenders have to do in terms of loan underwriting?
Each lender shall:
i. Confirm receipt of borrower certifications contained in Paycheck
Protection Program Application form issued by the Administration;
ii. Confirm receipt of information demonstrating that a borrower had
employees for whom the borrower paid salaries and payroll taxes on or
around February 15, 2020;
iii. Confirm the dollar amount of average monthly payroll costs for the
preceding calendar year by reviewing the payroll documentation submitted
with the borrower’s application; and
iv. Follow applicable BSA requirements:
I.
Federally insured depository institutions and federally
insured credit unions should continue to follow their existing
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BSA protocols when making PPP loans to either new or
existing customers who are eligible borrowers under the PPP.
PPP loans for existing customers will not require re-
verification under applicable BSA requirements, unless
otherwise indicated by the institution’s risk-based approach
to BSA compliance.
II.
Entities that are not presently subject to the requirements of
the BSA, should, prior to engaging in PPP lending activities,
including making PPP loans to either new or existing
customers who are eligible borrowers under the PPP,
establish an anti-money laundering (AML) compliance
program equivalent to that of a comparable federally
regulated institution. Depending upon the comparable
federally regulated institution, such a program may include a
customer identification program (CIP), which includes
identifying and verifying their PPP borrowers’ identities
(including e.g., date of birth, address, and taxpayer
identification number), and, if that PPP borrower is a
company, following any applicable beneficial ownership
information collection requirements. Alternatively, if
available, entities may rely on the CIP of a federally insured
depository institution or federally insured credit union with
an established CIP as part of its AML program. In either
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23
instance, entities should also understand the nature and
purpose of their PPP customer relationships to develop
customer risk profiles. Such entities will also generally have
to identify and report certain suspicious activity to the U.S.
Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network (FinCEN). If such entities have questions with
regard to meeting these requirements, they should contact the
FinCEN Regulatory Support Section at FRC@fincen.gov.
In addition, FinCEN has created a COVID-19-specific
contact channel, via a specific drop-down category, for
entities to communicate to FinCEN COVID-19-related
concerns while adhering to their BSA obligations. Entities
that wish to communicate such COVID-19-related concerns
to FinCEN should go to www.FinCEN.gov, click on “Need
Assistance,” and select “COVID19” in the subject drop-down
list.
Each lender’s underwriting obligation under the PPP is limited to the items above
and reviewing the “Paycheck Protection Application Form.” Borrowers must
submit such documentation as is necessary to establish eligibility such as payroll
processor records, payroll tax filings, or Form 1099-MISC, or income and
expenses from a sole proprietorship. For borrowers that do not have any such
documentation, the borrower must provide other supporting documentation, such
as bank records, sufficient to demonstrate the qualifying payroll amount.
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c. Can lenders rely on borrower documentation for loan forgiveness?
Yes. The lender does not need to conduct any verification if the borrower submits
documentation supporting its request for loan forgiveness and attests that it has
accurately verified the payments for eligible costs. The Administrator will hold
harmless any lender that relies on such borrower documents and attestation from a
borrower. The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, has determined
that lender reliance on a borrower’s required documents and attestation is
necessary and appropriate in light of section 1106(h) of the Act, which prohibits
the Administrator from taking an enforcement action or imposing penalties if the
lender has received a borrower attestation.
d. What fees will lenders be paid?
SBA will pay lenders fees for processing PPP loans in the following amounts:
i.
Five (5) percent for loans of not more than $350,000;
ii.
Three (3) percent for loans of more than $350,000 and less than
$2,000,000; and
iii.
One (1) percent for loans of at least $2,000,000.
e. Do lenders have to apply the “credit elsewhere test”?
No. When evaluating an applicant’s eligibility lenders will not be required to
apply the “credit elsewhere test” (as set forth in section 7(a)(1)(A) of the Small
Business Act (15 USC 636) and SBA regulations at 13 CFR 120.101)).
4. What do Both Borrowers and Lenders Need to Know and Do?
a. What are the loan terms and conditions?
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Loans will be guaranteed under the PPP under the same terms, conditions and
processes as other 7(a) loans, with certain changes including but not limited to:
i.
The guarantee percentage is 100 percent.
ii.
No collateral will be required.
iii.
No personal guarantees will be required.
iv.
The interest rate will be 100 basis points or one percent.
v.
All loans will be processed by all lenders under delegated authority and
lenders will be permitted to rely on certifications of the borrower in order
to determine eligibility of the borrower and the use of loan proceeds.
b. Are there any fee waivers?
i. There will be no up-front guarantee fee payable to SBA by the Borrower;
ii. There will be no lender’s annual service fee (“on-going guaranty fee”)
payable to SBA;
iii. There will be no subsidy recoupment fee; and
iv. There will be no fee payable to SBA for any guarantee sold into the
secondary market.
c. Who pays the fee to an agent who assists a borrower?
Agent fees will be paid by the lender out of the fees the lender receives from
SBA. Agents may not collect fees from the borrower or be paid out of the PPP
loan proceeds. The total amount that an agent may collect from the lender for
assistance in preparing an application for a PPP loan (including referral to the
lender) may not exceed:
i. One (1) percent for loans of not more than $350,000;
ii. 0.50 percent for loans of more than $350,000 and less than $2 million; and
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iii. 0.25 percent for loans of at least $2 million.
The Act authorizes the Administrator to establish limits on agent fees. The
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, determined that the agent fee
limits set forth above are reasonable based upon the application req uirements and
the fees that lenders receive for making PPP loans.
d. Can PPP loans be sold into the secondary market?
Yes. A PPP loan may be sold on the secondary market after the loan is fully
disbursed. A PPP loan may be sold on the secondary market at a premium or a
discount to par value. SBA will issue guidance regarding any advance purchase
for loans sold in the secondary market.
e. Can SBA purchase some or all of the loan in advance?
Yes. A lender may request that the SBA purchase the expected forgiveness
amount of a PPP loan or pool of PPP loans at the end of week seven of the
covered period. The expected forgiveness amount is the amount of loan principal
the lender reasonably expects the borrower to expend on payroll costs, covered
mortgage interest, covered rent, and covered utility payments during the eight
week period after loan disbursement. At least 75 percent of the expected
forgiveness amount shall be for payroll costs, as provided in 2.o. To submit a
PPP loan or pool of PPP loans for advance purchase, a lender shall submit a report
requesting advance purchase with the expected forgiveness amount to the SBA.
The report shall include: the Paycheck Protection Program Application Form
(SBA Form 2483) and any supporting documentation submitted with such
application; the Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s Application for 7(a) Loan
Guaranty (SBA Form 2484) and any supporting documentation; a detailed
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27
narrative explaining the assumptions used in determining the expected
forgiveness amount, the basis for those assumptions, alternative assumptions
considered, and why alternative assumptions were not used; any information
obtained from the borrower since the loan was disbursed that the lender used to
determine the expected forgiveness amount, which should include the same
documentation required to apply for loan forgiveness such as payroll tax filings,
cancelled checks, and other payment documentation; and any additional
information the Administrator may require to determine whether the expected
forgiveness amount is reasonable. The Administrator, in consultation with the
Secretary, determined that seven weeks is the minimum period of time necessary
for a lender to reasonably determine the expected forgiveness amount for a PPP
loan or pool of PPP loans, since the PPP is a new program and the likelihood that
many borrowers will be new clients of the lender. The expected forgiveness
amount may not exceed the total amount of principal on the PPP loan or pool of
loans. The Administrator will purchase the expected forgiveness amount of the
PPP loan(s) within 15 days of the date on which the Administrator receives a
complete report that demonstrates that the expected forgiveness amount is indeed
reasonable.
5. Additional Information
All loans guaranteed by the SBA pursuant to the CARES Act will be made consistent
with constitutional, statutory, and regulatory protections for religious liberty, including
the First Amendment to the Constitution, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42
U.S.C. 2000bb-1 and bb-3, and SBA regulation at 13 C.F.R. 113.3-1h, which provides:
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“Nothing in [SBA nondiscrimination regulations] shall apply to a religious corporation,
association, educational institution or society with respect to the membership or the
employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the
carrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution or society of its
religious activities.” SBA intends to promptly issue additional guidance with regard to
religious liberty protections under this program.
SBA may provide further guidance, if needed, through SBA notices and a program
guide which will be posted on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.
Questions on the Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) Loans 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, and 13771, the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35), and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-
612).
EO 12866 and EO 13563
This interim final rule is economically significant for the purposes of Executive
Orders 12866 and 13563. 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 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 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
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29
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 or retroactive effect.
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 impose recordkeeping or reporting
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (“PRA”). SBA has obtained
emergency approval under OMB Control Number 3245-0407 for the information
collection (IC) required to implement the program described above. This IC consists of
Form 2483 (Paycheck Protection Program Application Form), SBA Form 2484
(Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s Application for 7(a) Loan Guaranty), and SBA
Form 3506 (CARES Act Section 1102 Lender Agreement), and is approved for use until
September 30, 2020.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
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30
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
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31
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); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,
Pub. L. No. 116-136, Section 1114
Dated:
Jovita Carranza,
Administrator
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EXHIBIT
B
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Docket No. SBA-2020-[ ]
13 CFR Part 121
Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program
RIN [ ]
AGENCY:
U. S. Small Business Administration.
ACTION:
Interim Final Rule.
SUMMARY: On April 2, 2020, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an
interim final rule (the Initial Rule) announcing the implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act). Section 1102
of the Act temporarily adds a new program, titled the “Paycheck Protection Program,” to the
SBA’s 7(a) Loan 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. The
Paycheck Protection Program and loan forgiveness are intended to provide economic relief to
small businesses nationwide adversely impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This interim final rule supplements the Initial Rule with additional guidance regarding the
application of certain affiliate rules applicable to SBA’s implementation of sections 1102 and
1106 of the Act and requests public comment.
DATES: Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective [INSERT DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
Applicability Date: This interim final rule applies to applications submitted under the Paycheck
Protection Program through June 30, 2020, or until funds made available for this purpose are
exhausted.
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Comment Date: Comments must be received on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
You may submit comments, identified by number SBA-2020-[ ] through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: http://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: 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, tribal, 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, are being
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
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3
from others or even stay-at-home orders, are being 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) (P.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. On April 2, 2020, SBA issued an interim final rule (the Initial
Rule) announcing the implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act. A more detailed
discussion of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Act is found in section III of the Initial Rule.
This interim final rule supplements the Initial Rule with additional guidance regarding the
application of certain affiliate rules applicable to SBA’s implementation of sections 1102 and
1106 of the Act and requests public comment.
II.
Comments and Immediate Effective Date
The intent of the Act is that SBA provide relief to America’s small businesses expeditiously.
This intent, along with the dramatic decrease in economic activity nationwide, provides good
cause for SBA to dispense with the 30-day delayed effective date provided in the Administrative
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)). Specifically, small businesses need to be informed on
how to apply for a loan and the terms of the loan under section 1102 of the Act as soon as
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4
possible because the last day to apply for and receive a loan is June 30, 2020. The immediate
effective date of this interim final rule will benefit small businesses so that they can immediately
apply for the loan with a better understanding of loan terms and conditions. This interim final
rule is effective without advance notice and public comment because section 1114 of the Act
authorizes SBA to issue regulations to implement Title 1 of the Act without regard to notice
requirements. This rule is being issued to allow for immediate implementation of this program.
Although this interim final rule is effective immediately, comments are solicited from interested
members of the public on all aspects of the interim final rule. These comments must be
submitted on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER]. The SBA will consider these comments and the need for making any
revisions as a result of these comments.
III.
Affiliate Rules for Paycheck Protection Program
Overview
The CARES Act was enacted to provide immediate assistance to individuals, families, and
organizations affected by the COVID-19 emergency. Among the provisions contained in the
CARES Act are provisions authorizing SBA to temporarily guarantee loans under the Paycheck
Protection Program (PPP). Loans under the PPP will be 100 percent guaranteed by SBA, and the
full principal amount of the loans may qualify for loan forgiveness. Additional information
about the PPP is available in the Initial Rule.
1. Affiliation Rules Generally
Are affiliates considered together for purposes of determining eligibility?
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5
In most cases, a borrower will be considered together with its affiliates for purposes of
determining eligibility for the PPP.1 Under SBA rules, entities may be considered affiliates
based on factors including stock ownership, overlapping management,2 and identity of interest.
13 CFR § 121.301.
How do SBA’s affiliation rules affect my eligibility and apply to me under the PPP?
An entity generally is eligible for the PPP if it, combined with its affiliates, is a small
business as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632), or (1) has 500 or
fewer employees whose principal place of residence is in the United States or is a business that
operates in a certain industry and meets applicable SBA employee-based size standards for that
industry, and (2) is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code (IRC), a tax-exempt veterans organization described in section
501(c)(19) of the IRC, a Tribal business concern described in section 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small
Business Act, or any other business concern. Prior to the Act, the nonprofit organizations listed
above were not eligible for SBA Business Loan Programs under section 7(a) of the Small
Business Act; only for-profit small business concerns were eligible. The Act made such
nonprofit organizations not only eligible for the PPP, but also subjected them to SBA’s
affiliation rules. Specifically, section 1102 of the Act provides that the provisions applicable to
1 Section 7(a)(36)(D)(iv) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. § 636(a)(36)(D)(iv), as added by the Act, waives the
affiliation rules contained in section 121.103 for (1) any business concern with not more than 500 employees that, as
of the date on which the loan is disbursed, is assigned a North American Industry Classification System code
beginning with 72; (2) any business concern operating as a franchise that is assigned a franchise identifier code by
the Administration; and (3) any business concern that receives financial assistance from a company licensed under
section 301 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 681). This interim final rule has no effect on
these statutory waivers, which remain in full force and effect. As a result, the affiliation rules contained in section
121.301 also do not apply to these types of entities.
2 In order to help potential borrowers identify other businesses with which they may be deemed to be affiliated under
the common management standard, the Borrower Application Form, SBA Form 2483, released on April 2, 2020,
requires applicants to list other businesses with which they have common management. The information supplied
by the applicant in response to that information request should be used by applicants as they assess whether they
have affiliates that should be included in their number of employees reported on SBA Form 2483.
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6
affiliations under 13 CFR 121.103 apply with respect to nonprofit organizations and veterans
organizations in the same manner as with respect to small business concerns. However, the
detailed affiliation standards contained in section 121.103 currently do not apply to PPP
borrowers, because section 121.103(a)(8) provides that applicants in SBA’s Business Loan
Programs (which include the PPP) are subject to the affiliation rule contained in 13 CFR
121.301.
2.
Faith-Based Organizations
This rule exempts otherwise qualified faith-based organizations from the SBA’s
affiliation rules, including those set forth in 13 CFR part 121, where the application of the
affiliation rules would substantially burden those organizations’ religious exercise. This
exemption is required, or at a minimum authorized, by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act
(RFRA) (P.L. 103-141), which provides that the “[g]overnment shall not substantially burden a
person’s exercise of religion” unless the government can “demonstrate[] that application of the
burden” to the person is both “in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest” and “the
least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.” 42 U.S.C. 2000bb-
1.
A substantial burden under RFRA includes both government action that compels a person
to violate his sincere religious beliefs or suffer a penalty, see, e.g., Burwell v. Hobby Lobby
Stores, Inc., 573 U.S. 682, 726 (2014), and the imposition of a substantial burden through
“indirect” measures. Thomas v. Review Bd. of Ind. Emp. Sec. Div., 450 U.S. 707, 717-18 (1981).
Notably, the government imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise when it “conditions
receipt of an important benefit upon conduct proscribed by a religious faith, or where it denies
such a benefit because of conduct mandated by religious belief.” Id. at 718. For example, in
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Sherbert v. Verner, 374 U.S. 398 (1963), a State denied the plaintiff unemployment benefits
because she would not work on Saturday, the Sabbath of her faith. Id. at 400-01. Even though
no “sanctions directly compel[led]” her to work on Saturday, the Supreme Court held that the
State’s denial of benefits “puts the same kind of burden upon the free exercise of religion as
would a fine imposed against [her] for her Saturday worship.” Id. at 404. As the Court
observed, the State’s framework “forces her to choose between following the precepts of her
religion and forfeiting benefits, on the one hand, and abandoning one of the precepts of her
religion in order to accept work, on the other hand.” Id. Consistent with these precedents,
RFRA explicitly contemplates that “the denial of government funding, benefits, or exemptions”
may violate its protections. 42 U.S.C. 2000bb-4.
SBA is aware of the existence of faith-based organizations that would qualify for relief
under the CARES Act but for their affiliation with other entities as an aspect of their religious
practice. Supreme Court precedent has long recognized that the organizational structure of faith-
based entities may itself be a matter of significant religious concern and that faith-based
organizations are therefore guaranteed the “power to decide for themselves, free from state
interference, matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine.” Kedroff v. St.
Nicholas Cathedral of Russian Orthodox Church in N. Am., 344 U.S. 94, 116 (1952). Moreover,
an assessment of the extent to which questions concerning religious polity rest upon theological
or other religious foundations presents particular difficulties, for the First Amendment “forbids
civil courts” from “the interpretation of particular church doctrines and the importance of those
doctrines to the religion.” Presbyterian Church v. Mary Elizabeth Blue Hull Mem’l Presbyterian
Church, 393 U.S. 440, 450 (1969). A number of faith-based organizations understand their
affiliation with other religious entities as a part of their exercise of religion, as a mandate given
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the “hierarchical or connectional” structure of their church, Jones v. Wolf, 443 U.S. 595, 597
(1979), or as an expression of their sincere religious belief. Cf. 1 W. Cole Durham & Robert
Smith, Religious Organizations and the Law § 8.19 (Westlaw rev. ed. 2017) (“Religious
organizations, such as parishes or mission centers, normally tend to choose the civil-property-
holding structures that most closely mirror their own ecclesiology or polity.”). Either affiliation
decision falls within the definition of “religious exercise” that applies to RFRA, which “includes
any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief.”
See 42 U.S.C. 2000cc-5(7)(A); 2000bb-2(4) (“the term ‘exercise of religion’ means religious
exercise, as defined in section 2000cc-5 of this title”).
As applied to these faith-based organizations, the affiliation rules would impose a
substantial burden. The affiliation rules would deny an important benefit (participation in a
program for which they would otherwise be eligible under the CARES Act) because of the
exercise of sincere religious belief (affiliation with other religious entities).
The Administrator has also concluded that she does not have a compelling interest in
denying emergency assistance to faith-based organizations that are facing the same economic
hardship to which the CARES Act responded and who would be eligible for PPP but for their
faith-based organizational and associational decisions. This conclusion is reinforced by the fact
that the affiliation rules already contain numerous exemptions, see generally 13 C.F.R.
121.103(b), ranging from “[b]usiness concerns owned and controlled by Indian Tribes, Alaska
Native Corporations, [and] Native Hawaiian Organizations,” id. 121.103(b)(2)(i) to “member
shareholders of a small agricultural cooperative.” Id. 121.103(b)(7). In light of these
exemptions, it is difficult to maintain that denying relief to these faith-based organizations is
necessary to further a compelling government interest, let alone the least restrictive means of
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doing so. See Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520, 547
(1993) (“[A] law cannot be regarded as protecting an interest of the highest order when it leaves
appreciable damage to that supposedly vital interest unprohibited.”) (cleaned up); Gonzales v. O
Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, 546 U.S. 418, 433 (2006) (applying same
principle under RFRA). SBA accordingly must exempt faith-based organizations that would
otherwise be disqualified from the PPP based on features of those organizations’ affiliations that
are a matter of sincere religious exercise as defined in 42 U.S.C. 2000bb-2.
This action is also supported by 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), which authorizes the Administrator
to “make such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the authority vested in
him by or pursuant to this chapter.” As relevant here, the CARES Act expanded eligibility for
the covered loans during the covered period for nonprofit organizations that employ not more
than 500 employees or, if applicable, the size standard in number of employees established by
the Administrator for the industry in which the nonprofit organization operates. 15 U.S.C.
636(a)(36)(D)(i). That expansion posed unique concerns for the Administrator, who is tasked
with applying the “provisions applicable to affiliations under section 121.103 of title 13, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, . . . with respect to a nonprofit organization and a
veterans organizations in the same manner as with respect to a small business concern.”
Id. 636(a)(36)(D)(vi). Although these rules may easily be applied to faith-based organizations in
many cases, their application to certain faith-based organizations presents significant challenges,
in particular because of the large number of faith-based organizations who would now be eligible
for the PPP but for their religious exercise.
As discussed above, carrying the affiliation rules over to all faith-based organizations
without modification would raise concerns under RFRA. Moreover, application of the affiliation
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rules, which, for example, provide for assessment of whether one faith-based organization
“controls or has the power to control” another organization, 13 C.F.R. 121.103(a)(1), could
involve SBA in questions of church governance concerning “the allocation of power within a
(hierarchical) church so as to decide . . . religious law (governing church polity),” in violation of
the First Amendment. Serbian E. Orthodox Diocese for the U.S.A. & Canada v. Milivojevich,
426 U.S. 696, 709 (1979) (internal quotation marks omitted)). Finally, affiliation rules
developed in the context of for-profit enterprises present significant administrative difficulties
where faith-based organizations are concerned. For example, “the notion of corporate
subsidiarity or affiliation in civil law is entirely foreign to the polity of religious organizations,”
and there is a significant risk that civil authorities will “mischaracterize or misinterpret the polity
of a religious body.” 1 W. Cole Durham & Robert Smith, Religious Organizations and the Law
§§ 8.19, 8.21 (discussing examples of judicial mischaracterizations). Consistent with these
concerns, it is also notable that other areas of federal law approach issues analogous to affiliation
differently for religious organizations. See, e.g., 26 U.S.C. 512 (b)(12).
For these reasons, in addition to the RFRA mandate, the Administrator has determined
that it is appropriate to exercise the authority granted under 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6) to exempt from
application of SBA’s affiliation rules faith-based organizations that would otherwise be
disqualified from participation in PPP because of affiliations that are a part of their religious
exercise.
Accordingly, the SBA’s affiliation rules, including those set forth in 13 CFR part 121, do
not apply to the relationship of any church, convention or association of churches, or other faith-
based organization or entity to any other person, group, organization, or entity that is based on a
sincere religious teaching or belief or otherwise constitutes a part of the exercise of religion.
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This includes any relationship to a parent or subsidiary and other applicable aspects of
organizational structure or form. A faith-based organization seeking loans under this program
may rely on a reasonable, good faith interpretation in determining whether its relationship to any
other person, group, organization, or entity is exempt from the affiliation rules under this
provision, and SBA will not assess, and will not require participating lenders to assess, the
reasonableness of the faith-based organization’s determination.
3. Additional Information
SBA may provide further guidance, if needed, through SBA notices and a program guide
which will be posted on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.
Questions on the Paycheck Protection Program 7(a) Loans 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, 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 from the COVID–19 emergency. This rule’s designation under Executive Order 13771
will be informed by public comment.
Executive Order 12988
SBA has drafted this rule, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the standards set forth
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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 or retroactive effect.
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 impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (“PRA”). SBA has obtained emergency approval under OMB
Control Number 3245-0407 for the information collection (IC) required to implement the
program described above. This IC consists of Form 2483 (Paycheck Protection Program
Application Form) and SBA Form 2484 (Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s Application for
7(a) Loan Guaranty), and is approved for use until September 30, 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
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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. SBA 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.
List of subjects in 13 CFR part 121
Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations (Government agencies),
Intergovernmental relations, Investigations, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
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For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Small Business Administration revises 13 CFR
Part 121 as set forth below:
1. The authority citation for part 121 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 636(a)(36); 662, and 694a(9), Pub. L. No. 116-136,
Section 1114.
2. Revise § 121.103(b) by adding (b)(10) to read as follows:
§ 121.103 How does SBA determine affiliation?”
*****
(b) ***
(10)(i) The relationship of a faith-based organization to another organization is not
considered an affiliation with the other organization under this subpart if the relationship is based
on a religious teaching or belief or otherwise constitutes a part of the exercise of religion. In
addition, the eligibility criteria set forth in 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(D) are satisfied for any faith-
based organization having not more than 500 employees (including individuals employed on a
full-time, part-time, or other basis) that pays federal payroll taxes using its own Internal Revenue
Service Employer Identification Number (EIN) or that would be eligible for a deduction under
the second sentence of 26 U.S.C. 512(b)(12) if the organization earned unrelated business
taxable income. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “faith-based organization” includes,
but is not limited to, any organization associated with a church or convention or association of
churches within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 414(e)(3)(D). The term “organization” has the
meaning given in 26 U.S.C. 414(m)(6)(A). The terms “church” and “convention or association
of churches” have the same meaning that they have in 26 U.S.C. 414.
(ii) No specific process or filing is necessary to claim the benefit of this exemption. In
applying for a loan under the PPP, a faith-based organization may make all necessary
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certifications with respect to common ownership or management or other eligibility criteria
based upon affiliation, if the organization would be an eligible borrower but for application of
SBA affiliation rules and if the organization falls within the terms of the exemption described
above. If a faith-based organization indicates any relationship that may pertain to affiliation, such
as ownership of, ownership by, or common management with any other organization, on or in
connection with a loan application, and if the faith-based organization applying for a loan falls
within the terms of the exemption described above with respect to that relationship, the faith-
based organization may indicate on a separate sheet that it is entitled to the exemption. That
sheet may be identified as addendum A, and no further listing of the other organization or
description of the relationship to that organization is required. A sample “Addendum A” is
attached to the rule, but this format need not be used as long as the substance is the same.
*****
3. Add Addendum A to part 121 to read as follows:
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[Sample]
ADDENDUM A
The Applicant claims an exemption from all SBA affiliation rules applicable to Paycheck
Protection Program loan eligibility because the Applicant has made a reasonable, good
faith determination that the Applicant qualifies for a religious exemption under 13 C.F.R.
121.103(b)(10), which says that “[t]he relationship of a faith-based organization to
another organization is not considered an affiliation with the other organization . . . if the
relationship is based on a religious teaching or belief or otherwise constitutes a part of the
exercise of religion.”
Dated:
Jovita Carranza,
Administrator
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EXHIBIT
C
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EXHIBIT
D
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EXHIBIT
E
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EXHIBIT
F
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