Amendments to paycheck protection program loan forgiveness

(a)

Extension of covered period

Section 7(a)(36)(A)(iii) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(A)(iii)) is amended by striking June 30, 2020 and inserting December 31, 2020.(b)

Forgiveness

Section 1106 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136) is amended—(1)in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

(3)the term covered period means, subject to subsection (l), the period beginning on the date of the origination of a covered loan and ending the earlier of—(A)the date that is 24 weeks after such date of origination; or(B)December 31, 2020;

;

(2)in subsection (d)—(A)in paragraph (5)(B), by striking June 30, 2020 each place it appears and inserting December 31, 2020; and(B)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(7)

Exemption based on employee availability

During the period beginning on February 15, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020, the amount of loan forgiveness under this section shall be determined without regard to a proportional reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees if an eligible recipient, in good faith—(A)is able to document—(i)an inability to rehire individuals who were employees of the eligible recipient on February 15, 2020; and(ii)an inability to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled positions on or before December 31, 2020; or(B)is able to document an inability to return to the same level of business activity as such business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements established or guidance issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020, related to the maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety requirement related to COVID–19.(8)

Limitation on forgiveness

To receive loan forgiveness under this section, an eligible recipient shall use at least 60 percent of the covered loan amount for payroll costs, and may use up to 40 percent of such amount for any payment of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation), any payment on any covered rent obligation, or any covered utility payment.

; and

(3)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(l)

Application to certain eligible recipients

An eligible recipient that received a covered loan before the date of enactment of this subsection may elect for the covered period applicable to such covered loan to end on the date that is 8 weeks after the date of the origination of such covered loan.

(c)

Extension of deferral period

Section 7(a)(36)(M) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(M)) is amended—(1)in clause (ii)(II), by striking for a period of not less than 6 months, including payment of principal, interest, and fees, and not more than 1 year. and inserting the following: , including payment of principal, interest, and fees, until the date on which the amount of forgiveness determined under section 1106 of the CARES Act is remitted to the lender.;(2)in clause (iii), by striking for a period of not less than 6 months, including payment of principal, interest, and fees, and not more than 1 year. and inserting the following: , including payment of principal, interest, and fees, until the date on which the amount of forgiveness determined under section 1106 of the CARES Act is remitted to the lender.; and(3)by adding at the end the following new clause:

(v)

Rule of construction

If an eligible recipient fails to apply for forgiveness of a covered loan within 10 months after the last day of the covered period defined in section 1106(a) of the CARES Act, such eligible recipient shall make payments of principal, interest, and fees on such covered loan beginning on the day that is not earlier than the date that is 10 months after the last day of such covered period.

(d)

Effective date; applicability

The amendments made by this section shall be effective as if included in the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136) and shall apply to any loan made pursuant to section 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)) or section 1109 of the CARES Act.