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Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 73, Wednesday, April 15, 2020 — Rules and Regulations

Summary

Federal Register pages (Vol. 85, No. 73, Wednesday, April 15, 2020) containing the Small Business Administration interim final rule, Docket No. SBA-2020-0019, RIN 3245-AH35, titled Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program, which supplements SBA's Initial Rule with guidance on how affiliation rules apply to eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program. The text includes regulatory compliance sections, a question-and-answer discussion of how a borrower is generally considered together with its affiliates, and discussion of faith-based organizations and other categories. It states that SBA is proceeding under the emergency provision of Executive Order 12866 and dispensing with the 30-day delayed effective date. The rule carries the name of Jovita Carranza, Administrator.

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Issuer
Congressional materials
Document type
Department Of The Treasury Interim Final Rule On Applicable Affiliation Rules Home Treasur
Case
Department Of The Treasury Interim Final Rule On Applicable Affiliation Rules Home Treasury Gov Syst 191Bb7Ab20

Cite this document

“Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 73, Wednesday, April 15, 2020 — Rules and Regulations.” Original at home.treasury.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/department-of-the-treasury-interim-final-rule-on-applicable-affiliation-rules-home-treasury-gov-syst-191bb7ab20/, SHA-256 e06988ca3f14877b08b750f10cc104311fcb92002670cd27cb2d96b7d69325f8.

Full text

                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 15, 2020 / Rules and Regulations                                              20817

                                          Compliance With Executive Orders                        Section 1102 Lender Agreement), and                   unnecessary, or contrary to the public
                                          12866, 12988, 13132, and 13771, the                     SBA Form 3507 (CARES Act Section                      interest. Small Business
                                          Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.                      1102 Lender Agreement—Non-Bank and                    Administration’s Office of Advocacy
                                          Ch. 35), and the Regulatory Flexibility                 Non-Insured Depository Institution                    guide: How to Comply with the
                                          Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612)                                  Lender). The collection is approved for               Regulatory Flexibility Ac. Ch.1. p.9.
                                                                                                  use until September 30, 2020.                         Accordingly, SBA is not required to
                                          E.O. 12866 and E.O. 13563                                                                                     conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis.
                                            This interim final rule is                            Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)                        Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36);
                                          economically significant for the                           The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)               Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
                                          purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and                  generally requires that when an agency                Security Act, Public Law 116–136,
                                          13563. SBA, however, is proceeding                      issues a proposed rule, or a final rule               Section 1114.
                                          under the emergency provision at                        pursuant to section 553(b) of the APA or
                                                                                                  another law, the agency must prepare a                Jovita Carranza,
                                          Executive Order 12866 Section
                                                                                                  regulatory flexibility analysis that meets            Administrator.
                                          6(a)(3)(D) based on the need to move
                                          expeditiously to mitigate the current                   the requirements of the RFA and                       [FR Doc. 2020–07672 Filed 4–10–20; 4:15 pm]
                                          economic conditions arising from the                    publish such analysis in the Federal                  BILLING CODE P

                                          COVID–19 emergency. This rule’s                         Register. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. Specifically,
                                          designation under Executive Order                       the RFA normally requires agencies to
                                          13771 will be informed by public                        describe the impact of a rulemaking on                SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
                                          comment.                                                small entities by providing a regulatory
                                                                                                                                                        13 CFR Part 121
                                            This rule is necessary to implement                   impact analysis. Such analysis must
                                          Sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES                     address the consideration of regulatory               [Docket No. SBA–2020–0019]
                                          Act in order to provide economic relief                 options that would lessen the economic                RIN 3245–AH35
                                          to small businesses nationwide                          effect of the rule on small entities. The
                                          adversely impacted under the COVID–                     RFA defines a ‘‘small entity’’ as (1) a               Business Loan Program Temporary
                                          19 Emergency Declaration. We                            proprietary firm meeting the size                     Changes; Paycheck Protection
                                          anticipate that this rule will result in                standards of the Small Business                       Program
                                          substantial benefits to small businesses,               Administration (SBA); (2) a nonprofit
                                                                                                  organization that is not dominant in its              AGENCY: U.S. Small Business
                                          their employees, and the communities
                                          they serve. However, we lack data to                    field; or (3) a small government                      Administration.
                                          estimate the effects of this rule.                      jurisdiction with a population of less                ACTION: Interim final rule.
                                                                                                  than 50,000. 5 U.S.C. 601(3)–(6). Except
                                          Executive Order 12988                                                                                         SUMMARY: Elsewhere in this issue of the
                                                                                                  for such small government jurisdictions,
                                                                                                  neither State nor local governments are               Federal Register, the U.S. Small
                                            SBA has drafted this rule, to the
                                                                                                  ‘‘small entities.’’ Similarly, for purposes           Business Administration (SBA) is
                                          extent practicable, in accordance with
                                                                                                  of the RFA, individual persons are not                publishing an interim final rule (the
                                          the standards set forth in section 3(a)
                                                                                                  small entities.                                       Initial Rule) announcing the
                                          and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, to
                                                                                                     The requirement to conduct a                       implementation of sections 1102 and
                                          minimize litigation, eliminate
                                                                                                  regulatory impact analysis does not                   1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
                                          ambiguity, and reduce burden. The rule
                                                                                                  apply if the head of the agency ‘‘certifies           Economic Security Act (CARES Act or
                                          has no preemptive or retroactive effect.
                                                                                                  that the rule will not, if promulgated,               the Act). Section 1102 of the Act
                                          Executive Order 13132                                   have a significant economic impact on                 temporarily adds a new program, titled
                                            SBA has determined that this rule                     a substantial number of small entities.’’             the ‘‘Paycheck Protection Program,’’ to
                                          will not have substantial direct effects                5 U.S.C. 605(b). The agency must,                     the SBA’s 7(a) Loan Program. Section
                                          on the States, on the relationship                      however, publish the certification in the             1106 of the Act provides for forgiveness
                                          between the National Government and                     Federal Register at the time of                       of up to the full principal amount of
                                          the States, or on the distribution of                   publication of the rule, ‘‘along with a               qualifying loans guaranteed under the
                                          power and responsibilities among the                    statement providing the factual basis for             Paycheck Protection Program. The
                                          various layers of government. Therefore,                such certification.’’ If the agency head              Paycheck Protection Program and loan
                                          SBA has determined that this rule has                   has not waived the requirements for a                 forgiveness are intended to provide
                                          no federalism implications warranting                   regulatory flexibility analysis in                    economic relief to small businesses
                                          preparation of a federalism assessment.                 accordance with the RFA’s waiver                      nationwide adversely impacted by the
                                                                                                  provision, and no other RFA exception                 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19).
                                          Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.                      applies, the agency must prepare the                  This interim final rule supplements the
                                          Chapter 35                                              regulatory flexibility analysis and                   Initial Rule with additional guidance
                                            SBA has determined that this rule                     publish it in the Federal Register at the             regarding the application of certain
                                          will impose recordkeeping or reporting                  time of promulgation or, if the rule is               affiliate rules applicable to SBA’s
                                          requirements under the Paperwork                        promulgated in response to an                         implementation of sections 1102 and
                                          Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’). SBA has                        emergency that makes timely                           1106 of the Act and requests public
                                          obtained emergency approval under                       compliance impracticable, within 180                  comment.
                                          OMB Control Number 3245–0407 for the                    days of publication of the final rule. 5              DATES:
                                          information collection (IC) required to                 U.S.C. 604(a), 608(b).                                   Effective date: This interim final rule
                                          implement the program described                            Rules that are exempt from notice and              is effective April 15, 2020.




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                                          above. This IC consists of Form 2483                    comment are also exempt from the RFA                     Applicability date: This interim final
                                          (Paycheck Protection Program                            requirements, including conducting a                  rule applies to applications submitted
                                          Application Form), SBA Form 2484                        regulatory flexibility analysis, when                 under the Paycheck Protection Program
                                          (Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s                   among other things the agency for good                through June 30, 2020, or until funds
                                          Application for 7(a) Loan Guaranty),                    cause finds that notice and public                    made available for this purpose are
                                          and SBA Form 3506 (CARES Act                            procedure are impracticable,                          exhausted.


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                                          20818            Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 15, 2020 / Rules and Regulations

                                             Comment Date: Comments must be                       businesses nationwide adversely                       III. Affiliate Rules for Paycheck
                                          received on or before May 15, 2020.                     impacted by the COVID–19 emergency.                   Protection Program
                                          ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                        Section 1102 of the Act temporarily                Overview
                                          identified by number SBA–2020–0019                      permits SBA to guarantee 100 percent of                  The CARES Act was enacted to
                                          through the Federal eRulemaking Portal:                 7(a) loans under a new program titled                 provide immediate assistance to
                                          http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the                  the ‘‘Paycheck Protection Program.’’                  individuals, families, and organizations
                                          instructions for submitting comments.                   Section 1106 of the Act provides for                  affected by the COVID–19 emergency.
                                             SBA will post all comments on                        forgiveness of up to the full principal               Among the provisions contained in the
                                          www.regulations.gov. If you wish to                     amount of qualifying loans guaranteed                 CARES Act are provisions authorizing
                                          submit confidential business                            under the Paycheck Protection Program.                SBA to temporarily guarantee loans
                                          information (CBI) as defined in the User                On April 2, 2020, SBA issued an interim               under the Paycheck Protection Program
                                          Notice at www.regulations.gov, please                   final rule (the Initial Rule) announcing              (PPP). Loans under the PPP will be 100
                                          send an email to ppp-ifr@sba.gov.                       the implementation of sections 1102                   percent guaranteed by SBA, and the full
                                          Highlight the information that you                      and 1106 of the Act. A more detailed                  principal amount of the loans may
                                          consider to be CBI and explain why you                  discussion of sections 1102 and 1106 of               qualify for loan forgiveness. Additional
                                          believe SBA should hold this                            the Act is found in section III of the                information about the PPP is available
                                          information as confidential. SBA will                                                                         in the Initial Rule.
                                                                                                  Initial Rule.
                                          review the information and make the
                                          final determination whether it will                        This interim final rule supplements                1. Affiliation Rules Generally
                                          publish the information.                                the Initial Rule with additional                      Are affiliates considered together for
                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call
                                                                                                  guidance regarding the application of                 purposes of determining eligibility?
                                          Center Representative at 833–572–0502,                  certain affiliate rules applicable to
                                                                                                  SBA’s implementation of sections 1102                   In most cases, a borrower will be
                                          or the local SBA Field Office; the list of                                                                    considered together with its affiliates for
                                          offices can be found at https://                        and 1106 of the Act and requests public
                                                                                                                                                        purposes of determining eligibility for
                                          www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/                     comment.
                                                                                                                                                        the PPP.1 Under SBA rules, entities may
                                          districtoffices.                                        II. Comments and Immediate Effective                  be considered affiliates based on factors
                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              Date                                                  including stock ownership, overlapping
                                                                                                                                                        management,2 and identity of interest.
                                          I. Background Information                                  The intent of the Act is that SBA                  13 CFR 121.301.
                                            On March 13, 2020, President Trump                    provide relief to America’s small
                                                                                                                                                        How do SBA’s affiliation rules affect my
                                          declared the ongoing Coronavirus                        businesses expeditiously. This intent,
                                                                                                                                                        eligibility and apply to me under the
                                          Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic of                     along with the dramatic decrease in
                                                                                                                                                        PPP?
                                          sufficient severity and magnitude to                    economic activity nationwide, provides
                                          warrant an emergency declaration for all                good cause for SBA to dispense with the                  An entity generally is eligible for the
                                          States, territories, and the District of                30-day delayed effective date provided                PPP if it, combined with its affiliates, is
                                          Columbia. With the COVID–19                             in the Administrative Procedure Act (5                a small business as defined in section 3
                                          emergency, many small businesses                        U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B)). Specifically, small             of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
                                          nationwide are experiencing economic                    businesses need to be informed on how                 632), or (1) has 500 or fewer employees
                                          hardship as a direct result of the                                                                            whose principal place of residence is in
                                                                                                  to apply for a loan and the terms of the
                                          Federal, State, tribal, and local public                                                                      the United States or is a business that
                                                                                                  loan under section 1102 of the Act as
                                          health measures that are being taken to                                                                       operates in a certain industry and meets
                                                                                                  soon as possible because the last day to
                                          minimize the public’s exposure to the                                                                         applicable SBA employee-based size
                                                                                                  apply for and receive a loan is June 30,              standards for that industry, and (2) is a
                                          virus. These measures, some of which                    2020. The immediate effective date of
                                          are government-mandated, are being                      this interim final rule will benefit small               1 Section 7(a)(36)(D)(iv) of the Small Business Act
                                          implemented nationwide and include                      businesses so that they can immediately               (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(D)(iv), as added by the Act,
                                          the closures of restaurants, bars, and                  apply for the loan with a better                      waives the affiliation rules contained in § 121.103
                                          gyms. In addition, based on the advice                                                                        for (1) any business concern with not more than 500
                                                                                                  understanding of loan terms and                       employees that, as of the date on which the loan
                                          of public health officials, other
                                                                                                  conditions. This interim final rule is                is disbursed, is assigned a North American Industry
                                          measures, such as keeping a safe
                                                                                                  effective without advance notice and                  Classification System code beginning with 72; (2)
                                          distance from others or even stay-at-                                                                         any business concern operating as a franchise that
                                          home orders, are being implemented,                     public comment because section 1114 of                is assigned a franchise identifier code by the
                                          resulting in a dramatic decrease in                     the Act authorizes SBA to issue                       Administration; and (3) any business concern that
                                          economic activity as the public avoids                  regulations to implement Title 1 of the               receives financial assistance from a company
                                                                                                  Act without regard to notice                          licensed under section 301 of the Small Business
                                          malls, retail stores, and other                                                                               Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 681). This
                                          businesses.                                             requirements. This rule is being issued               interim final rule has no effect on these statutory
                                            On March 27, 2020, the President                      to allow for immediate implementation                 waivers, which remain in full force and effect. As
                                                                                                  of this program. Although this interim                a result, the affiliation rules contained in section
                                          signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and                                                                       121.301 also do not apply to these types of entities.
                                          Economic Security Act (the CARES Act                    final rule is effective immediately,                     2 In order to help potential borrowers identify

                                          or the Act) (Pub. L. 116–136) to provide                comments are solicited from interested                other businesses with which they may be deemed
                                          emergency assistance and health care                    members of the public on all aspects of               to be affiliated under the common management
                                                                                                  the interim final rule. These comments                standard, the Borrower Application Form, SBA
                                          response for individuals, families, and                                                                       Form 2483, released on April 2, 2020, requires
                                                                                                  must be submitted on or before May 15,




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                                          businesses affected by the coronavirus                                                                        applicants to list other businesses with which they
                                          pandemic. The Small Business                            2020. The SBA will consider these                     have common management. The information
                                          Administration (SBA) received funding                   comments and the need for making any                  supplied by the applicant in response to that
                                                                                                                                                        information request should be used by applicants
                                          and authority through the Act to modify                 revisions as a result of these comments.              as they assess whether they have affiliates that
                                          existing loan programs and establish a                                                                        should be included in their number of employees
                                          new loan program to assist small                                                                              reported on SBA Form 2483.



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                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 15, 2020 / Rules and Regulations                                           20819

                                          tax-exempt nonprofit organization                       a benefit because of conduct mandated                 property-holding structures that most
                                          described in section 501(c)(3) of the                   by religious belief.’’ Id. at 718. For                closely mirror their own ecclesiology or
                                          Internal Revenue Code (IRC), a tax-                     example, in Sherbert v. Verner, 374 U.S.              polity.’’). Either affiliation decision falls
                                          exempt veterans organization described                  398 (1963), a State denied the plaintiff              within the definition of ‘‘religious
                                          in section 501(c)(19) of the IRC, a Tribal              unemployment benefits because she                     exercise’’ that applies to RFRA, which
                                          business concern described in section                   would not work on Saturday, the                       ‘‘includes any exercise of religion,
                                          31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act, or               Sabbath of her faith. Id. at 400–01. Even             whether or not compelled by, or central
                                          any other business concern. Prior to the                though no ‘‘sanctions directly                        to, a system of religious belief.’’ See 42
                                          Act, the nonprofit organizations listed                 compel[led]’’ her to work on Saturday,                U.S.C. 2000cc–5(7)(A); 2000bb–2(4)
                                          above were not eligible for SBA                         the Supreme Court held that the State’s               (‘‘the term ‘exercise of religion’ means
                                          Business Loan Programs under section                    denial of benefits ‘‘puts the same kind               religious exercise, as defined in section
                                          7(a) of the Small Business Act; only for-               of burden upon the free exercise of                   2000cc–5 of this title’’).
                                          profit small business concerns were                     religion as would a fine imposed against                 As applied to these faith-based
                                          eligible. The Act made such nonprofit                   [her] for her Saturday worship.’’ Id. at              organizations, the affiliation rules
                                          organizations not only eligible for the                 404. As the Court observed, the State’s               would impose a substantial burden. The
                                          PPP, but also subjected them to SBA’s                   framework ‘‘forces her to choose                      affiliation rules would deny an
                                          affiliation rules. Specifically, section                between following the precepts of her                 important benefit (participation in a
                                          1102 of the Act provides that the                       religion and forfeiting benefits, on the              program for which they would
                                          provisions applicable to affiliations                   one hand, and abandoning one of the                   otherwise be eligible under the CARES
                                          under 13 CFR 121.103 apply with                         precepts of her religion in order to                  Act) because of the exercise of sincere
                                          respect to nonprofit organizations and                  accept work, on the other hand.’’ Id.                 religious belief (affiliation with other
                                          veterans organizations in the same                      Consistent with these precedents, RFRA                religious entities).
                                          manner as with respect to small                         explicitly contemplates that ‘‘the denial                The Administrator has also concluded
                                          business concerns. However, the                         of government funding, benefits, or                   that she does not have a compelling
                                          detailed affiliation standards contained                exemptions’’ may violate its protections.             interest in denying emergency
                                          in § 121.103 currently do not apply to                  42 U.S.C. 2000bb–4.                                   assistance to faith-based organizations
                                          PPP borrowers, because § 121.103(a)(8)                                                                        that are facing the same economic
                                                                                                     SBA is aware of the existence of faith-            hardship to which the CARES Act
                                          provides that applicants in SBA’s
                                                                                                  based organizations that would qualify                responded and who would be eligible
                                          Business Loan Programs (which include
                                                                                                  for relief under the CARES Act but for                for PPP but for their faith-based
                                          the PPP) are subject to the affiliation
                                                                                                  their affiliation with other entities as an           organizational and associational
                                          rule contained in 13 CFR 121.301.
                                                                                                  aspect of their religious practice.                   decisions. This conclusion is reinforced
                                          2. Faith-Based Organizations                            Supreme Court precedent has long                      by the fact that the affiliation rules
                                             This rule exempts otherwise qualified                recognized that the organizational                    already contain numerous exemptions,
                                          faith-based organizations from the                      structure of faith-based entities may                 see generally 13 CFR 121.103(b), ranging
                                          SBA’s affiliation rules, including those                itself be a matter of significant religious           from ‘‘[b]usiness concerns owned and
                                          set forth in 13 CFR part 121, where the                 concern and that faith-based                          controlled by Indian Tribes, Alaska
                                          application of the affiliation rules would              organizations are therefore guaranteed                Native Corporations, [and] Native
                                          substantially burden those                              the ‘‘power to decide for themselves,                 Hawaiian Organizations,’’ id.
                                          organizations’ religious exercise. This                 free from state interference, matters of              § 121.103(b)(2)(i) to ‘‘member
                                          exemption is required, or at a minimum                  church government as well as those of                 shareholders of a small agricultural
                                          authorized, by the Religious Freedom                    faith and doctrine.’’ Kedroff v. St.                  cooperative.’’ Id. § 121.103(b)(7). In light
                                          Restoration Act (RFRA) (Pub. L. 103–                    Nicholas Cathedral of Russian Orthodox                of these exemptions, it is difficult to
                                          141), which provides that the                           Church in N. Am., 344 U.S. 94, 116                    maintain that denying relief to these
                                          ‘‘[g]overnment shall not substantially                  (1952). Moreover, an assessment of the                faith-based organizations is necessary to
                                          burden a person’s exercise of religion’’                extent to which questions concerning                  further a compelling government
                                          unless the government can                               religious polity rest upon theological or             interest, let alone the least restrictive
                                          ‘‘demonstrate[] that application of the                 other religious foundations presents                  means of doing so. See Church of the
                                          burden’’ to the person is both ‘‘in                     particular difficulties, for the First                Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of
                                          furtherance of a compelling                             Amendment ‘‘forbids civil courts’’ from               Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520, 547 (1993) (‘‘[A]
                                          governmental interest’’ and ‘‘the least                 ‘‘the interpretation of particular church             law cannot be regarded as protecting an
                                          restrictive means of furthering that                    doctrines and the importance of those                 interest of the highest order when it
                                          compelling governmental interest.’’ 42                  doctrines to the religion.’’ Presbyterian             leaves appreciable damage to that
                                          U.S.C. 2000bb–1.                                        Church v. Mary Elizabeth Blue Hull                    supposedly vital interest
                                             A substantial burden under RFRA                      Mem’l Presbyterian Church, 393 U.S.                   unprohibited.’’) (cleaned up); Gonzales
                                          includes both government action that                    440, 450 (1969). A number of faith-                   v. O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao
                                          compels a person to violate his sincere                 based organizations understand their                  do Vegetal, 546 U.S. 418, 433 (2006)
                                          religious beliefs or suffer a penalty, see,             affiliation with other religious entities             (applying same principle under RFRA).
                                          e.g., Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.,              as a part of their exercise of religion, as           SBA accordingly must exempt faith-
                                          573 U.S. 682, 726 (2014), and the                       a mandate given the ‘‘hierarchical or                 based organizations that would
                                          imposition of a substantial burden                      connectional’’ structure of their church,             otherwise be disqualified from the PPP
                                          through ‘‘indirect’’ measures. Thomas v.                Jones v. Wolf, 443 U.S. 595, 597 (1979),              based on features of those organizations’
                                          Review Bd. of Ind. Emp. Sec. Div., 450                  or as an expression of their sincere                  affiliations that are a matter of sincere




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                                          U.S. 707, 717–18 (1981). Notably, the                   religious belief. Cf. 1 W. Cole Durham                religious exercise as defined in 42
                                          government imposes a substantial                        & Robert Smith, Religious Organizations               U.S.C. 2000bb–2.
                                          burden on religious exercise when it                    and the Law section 8.19 (Westlaw rev.                   This action is also supported by 15
                                          ‘‘conditions receipt of an important                    ed. 2017) (‘‘Religious organizations,                 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), which authorizes the
                                          benefit upon conduct proscribed by a                    such as parishes or mission centers,                  Administrator to ‘‘make such rules and
                                          religious faith, or where it denies such                normally tend to choose the civil-                    regulations as he deems necessary to


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                                          20820            Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 15, 2020 / Rules and Regulations

                                          carry out the authority vested in him by                approach issues analogous to affiliation              need to move expeditiously to mitigate
                                          or pursuant to this chapter.’’ As relevant              differently for religious organizations.              the current economic conditions arising
                                          here, the CARES Act expanded                            See, e.g., 26 U.S.C. 512 (b)(12).                     from the COVID–19 emergency. This
                                          eligibility for the covered loans during                   For these reasons, in addition to the              rule’s designation under Executive
                                          the covered period for nonprofit                        RFRA mandate, the Administrator has                   Order 13771 will be informed by public
                                          organizations that employ not more than                 determined that it is appropriate to                  comment.
                                          500 employees or, if applicable, the size               exercise the authority granted under 15               Executive Order 12988
                                          standard in number of employees                         U.S.C. 634(b)(6) to exempt from
                                          established by the Administrator for the                application of SBA’s affiliation rules                  SBA has drafted this rule, to the
                                          industry in which the nonprofit                         faith-based organizations that would                  extent practicable, in accordance with
                                          organization operates. 15 U.S.C.                        otherwise be disqualified from                        the standards set forth in section 3(a)
                                          636(a)(36)(D)(i). That expansion posed                  participation in PPP because of                       and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, to
                                          unique concerns for the Administrator,                  affiliations that are a part of their                 minimize litigation, eliminate
                                          who is tasked with applying the                         religious exercise.                                   ambiguity, and reduce burden. The rule
                                          ‘‘provisions applicable to affiliations                    Accordingly, the SBA’s affiliation                 has no preemptive or retroactive effect.
                                          under section 121.103 of title 13, Code                 rules, including those set forth in 13                Executive Order 13132
                                          of Federal Regulations, or any successor                CFR part 121, do not apply to the
                                                                                                                                                          SBA has determined that this rule
                                          thereto, . . . with respect to a nonprofit              relationship of any church, convention
                                                                                                                                                        will not have substantial direct effects
                                          organization and a veterans                             or association of churches, or other
                                                                                                                                                        on the States, on the relationship
                                          organizations in the same manner as                     faith-based organization or entity to any
                                                                                                                                                        between the National Government and
                                          with respect to a small business                        other person, group, organization, or
                                                                                                                                                        the States, or on the distribution of
                                          concern.’’ Id. 636(a)(36)(D)(vi).                       entity that is based on a sincere
                                                                                                                                                        power and responsibilities among the
                                          Although these rules may easily be                      religious teaching or belief or otherwise
                                                                                                                                                        various layers of government. Therefore,
                                          applied to faith-based organizations in                 constitutes a part of the exercise of
                                                                                                                                                        SBA has determined that this rule has
                                          many cases, their application to certain                religion. This includes any relationship
                                                                                                                                                        no federalism implications warranting
                                          faith-based organizations presents                      to a parent or subsidiary and other
                                                                                                                                                        preparation of a federalism assessment.
                                          significant challenges, in particular                   applicable aspects of organizational
                                          because of the large number of faith-                   structure or form. A faith-based                      Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.
                                          based organizations who would now be                    organization seeking loans under this                 Chapter 35
                                          eligible for the PPP but for their                      program may rely on a reasonable, good                   SBA has determined that this rule
                                          religious exercise.                                     faith interpretation in determining                   will impose recordkeeping or reporting
                                             As discussed above, carrying the                     whether its relationship to any other                 requirements under the Paperwork
                                          affiliation rules over to all faith-based               person, group, organization, or entity is             Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’). SBA has
                                          organizations without modification                      exempt from the affiliation rules under               obtained emergency approval under
                                          would raise concerns under RFRA.                        this provision, and SBA will not assess,              OMB Control Number 3245–0407 for the
                                          Moreover, application of the affiliation                and will not require participating                    information collection (IC) required to
                                          rules, which, for example, provide for                  lenders to assess, the reasonableness of              implement the program described
                                          assessment of whether one faith-based                   the faith-based organization’s                        above. This IC consists of Form 2483
                                          organization ‘‘controls or has the power                determination.                                        (Paycheck Protection Program
                                          to control’’ another organization, 13 CFR               3. Additional Information                             Application Form) and SBA Form 2484
                                          121.103(a)(1), could involve SBA in                                                                           (Paycheck Protection Program Lender’s
                                          questions of church governance                            SBA may provide further guidance, if                Application for 7(a) Loan Guaranty)
                                          concerning ‘‘the allocation of power                    needed, through SBA notices and a                     SBA Form 3506 (CARES Act Section
                                          within a (hierarchical) church so as to                 program guide which will be posted on                 1102 Lender Agreement), and SBA Form
                                          decide . . . religious law (governing                   SBA’s website at www.sba.gov.                         3507 (CARES Act Section 1102 Lender
                                          church polity),’’ in violation of the First               Questions on the Paycheck Protection
                                                                                                                                                        Agreement—Non-Bank and Non-Insured
                                          Amendment. Serbian E. Orthodox                          Program 7(a) Loans may be directed to
                                                                                                                                                        Depository Institution Lender). The
                                          Diocese for the U.S.A. & Canada v.                      the Lender Relations Specialist in the
                                                                                                                                                        collection is approved for use until
                                          Milivojevich, 426 U.S. 696, 709 (1979)                  local SBA Field Office. The local SBA
                                                                                                                                                        October 31, 2020.
                                          (internal quotation marks omitted)).                    Field Office may be found at https://                    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
                                          Finally, affiliation rules developed in                 www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/                   generally requires that when an agency
                                          the context of for-profit enterprises                   districtoffices.                                      issues a proposed rule, or a final rule
                                          present significant administrative                      Compliance With Executive Orders                      pursuant to section 553(b) of the APA or
                                          difficulties where faith-based                          12866, 12988, 13132, and 13771, the                   another law, the agency must prepare a
                                          organizations are concerned. For                        Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.                    regulatory flexibility analysis that meets
                                          example, ‘‘the notion of corporate                      Ch. 35), and the Regulatory Flexibility               the requirements of the RFA and
                                          subsidiarity or affiliation in civil law is             Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612)                                publish such analysis in the Federal
                                          entirely foreign to the polity of religious                                                                   Register. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. Specifically,
                                          organizations,’’ and there is a significant             Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and                    the RFA normally requires agencies to
                                          risk that civil authorities will                        13771                                                 describe the impact of a rulemaking on
                                          ‘‘mischaracterize or misinterpret the                     This interim final rule is                          small entities by providing a regulatory
                                          polity of a religious body.’’ 1 W. Cole                 economically significant for the                      impact analysis. Such analysis must




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                                          Durham & Robert Smith, Religious                        purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and                address the consideration of regulatory
                                          Organizations and the Law sections                      13563, and is considered a major rule                 options that would lessen the economic
                                          8.19, 8.21 (discussing examples of                      under the Congressional Review Act.                   effect of the rule on small entities. The
                                          judicial mischaracterizations).                         SBA, however, is proceeding under the                 RFA defines a ‘‘small entity’’ as (1) a
                                          Consistent with these concerns, it is also              emergency provision at Executive Order                proprietary firm meeting the size
                                          notable that other areas of federal law                 12866 Section 6(a)(3)(D) based on the                 standards of the Small Business


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                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 73 / Wednesday, April 15, 2020 / Rules and Regulations                                              20821

                                          Administration (SBA); (2) a nonprofit                   Administration amends 13 CFR part 121                 affiliation, if the organization would be
                                          organization that is not dominant in its                as set forth below:                                   an eligible borrower but for application
                                          field; or (3) a small government                                                                              of SBA affiliation rules and if the
                                          jurisdiction with a population of less                  PART 121—SMALL BUSINESS SIZE                          organization falls within the terms of
                                          than 50,000. 5 U.S.C. 601(3)–(6). Except                REGULATIONS                                           the exemption described in paragraph
                                          for such small government jurisdictions,                                                                      (b)(10)(i) of this section. If a faith-based
                                                                                                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 121
                                          neither State nor local governments are                                                                       organization indicates any relationship
                                                                                                  is revised to read as follows:
                                          ‘‘small entities.’’ Similarly, for purposes                                                                   that may pertain to affiliation, such as
                                          of the RFA, individual persons are not                    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6),                ownership of, ownership by, or common
                                          small entities.                                         636(a)(36), 662, and 694a(9); Pub. L. 116–136,        management with any other
                                                                                                  Section 1114.
                                             The requirement to conduct a                                                                               organization, on or in connection with
                                                                                                  ■ 2. Amend § 121.103 by adding                        a loan application, and if the faith-based
                                          regulatory impact analysis does not
                                          apply if the head of the agency ‘‘certifies             paragraph (b)(10) to read as follows:                 organization applying for a loan falls
                                          that the rule will not, if promulgated,                 § 121.103 How does SBA determine
                                                                                                                                                        within the terms of the exemption
                                          have a significant economic impact on                   affiliation?                                          described in paragraph (b)(10)(i) of this
                                          a substantial number of small entities.’’                                                                     section with respect to that relationship,
                                                                                                  *       *    *     *      *
                                          5 U.S.C. 605(b). The agency must,                          (b) * * *                                          the faith-based organization may
                                          however, publish the certification in the                  (10)(i) The relationship of a faith-               indicate on a separate sheet that it is
                                          Federal Register at the time of                         based organization to another                         entitled to the exemption. That sheet
                                          publication of the rule, ‘‘along with a                 organization is not considered an                     may be identified as addendum A, and
                                          statement providing the factual basis for               affiliation with the other organization               no further listing of the other
                                          such certification.’’ If the agency head                under this subpart if the relationship is             organization or description of the
                                          has not waived the requirements for a                   based on a religious teaching or belief or            relationship to that organization is
                                          regulatory flexibility analysis in                      otherwise constitutes a part of the                   required. See appendix A to this part for
                                          accordance with the RFA’s waiver                        exercise of religion. In addition, the                a sample ‘‘Addendum A’’, but the
                                          provision, and no other RFA exception                   eligibility criteria set forth in 15 U.S.C.           format need not be used as long as the
                                          applies, the agency must prepare the                    636(a)(36)(D) are satisfied for any faith-            substance is the same.
                                          regulatory flexibility analysis and                     based organization having not more                    *      *     *      *    *
                                          publish it in the Federal Register at the               than 500 employees (including
                                                                                                                                                        ■ 3. Add appendix A to part 121 to read
                                          time of promulgation or, if the rule is                 individuals employed on a full-time,
                                                                                                                                                        as follows:
                                          promulgated in response to an                           part-time, or other basis) that pays
                                          emergency that makes timely                             Federal payroll taxes using its own                   Appendix A to Part 121—Paycheck
                                          compliance impracticable, within 180                    Internal Revenue Service Employer                     Protection Program Sample Addendum
                                          days of publication of the final rule. 5                Identification Number (EIN) or that                   A
                                          U.S.C. 604(a), 608(b).                                  would support a deduction under the
                                                                                                  second sentence of 26 U.S.C. 512(b)(12)               [Sample]
                                             Rules that are exempt from notice and
                                          comment are also exempt from the RFA                    if the organization generated unrelated               ADDENDUM A
                                          requirements, including conducting a                    business taxable income. For purposes
                                          regulatory flexibility analysis, when                   of this paragraph (b)(10), the term                      ✓ The Applicant claims an
                                          among other things the agency for good                  ‘‘faith-based organization’’ includes, but            exemption from all SBA affiliation rules
                                          cause finds that notice and public                      is not limited to, any organization                   applicable to Paycheck Protection
                                          procedure are impracticable,                            associated with a church or convention                Program loan eligibility because the
                                          unnecessary, or contrary to the public                  or association of churches within the                 Applicant has made a reasonable, good
                                          interest. SBA Office of Advocacy guide:                 meaning of 26 U.S.C. 414(e)(3)(D). The                faith determination that the Applicant
                                          How to Comply with the Regulatory                       term ‘‘organization’’ has the meaning                 qualifies for a religious exemption
                                          Flexibility Ac. Ch.1. p.9. Accordingly,                 given in 26 U.S.C. 414(m)(6)(A). The                  under 13 CFR 121.103(b)(10), which
                                          SBA is not required to conduct a                        terms ‘‘church’’ and ‘‘convention or                  says that ‘‘[t]he relationship of a faith-
                                          regulatory flexibility analysis.                        association of churches’’ have the same               based organization to another
                                                                                                  meaning that they have in 26 U.S.C.                   organization is not considered an
                                          List of Subjects in 13 CFR Part 121                     414.                                                  affiliation with the other organization
                                                                                                     (ii) No specific process or filing is              . . . if the relationship is based on a
                                            Administrative practice and                           necessary to claim the benefit of the
                                          procedure, Authority delegations                                                                              religious teaching or belief or otherwise
                                                                                                  exemption in paragraph (b)(10)(i) of this             constitutes a part of the exercise of
                                          (Government agencies),                                  section. In applying for a loan under the
                                          Intergovernmental relations,                                                                                  religion.’’
                                                                                                  Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a
                                          Investigations, Reporting and                           faith-based organization may make all                 Jovita Carranza,
                                          recordkeeping requirements.                             necessary certifications with respect to              Administrator.
                                            For the reasons stated in the                         common ownership or management or                     [FR Doc. 2020–07673 Filed 4–10–20; 4:15 pm]
                                          preamble, the Small Business                            other eligibility criteria based upon                 BILLING CODE P




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