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Seafood Harvesters of America, Retail Federation Pleased by HEALS Act Provisions
The Seafood Harvesters of America and the National Retail Federation applauded some provisions in the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act, as Congress works to provide the next round of COVID-19 relief.
Seafood Harvesters of America Executive Director Leigh Habegger noted the work of Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan (R) and the rest of the Alaska delegation who worked to allow fishermen to amend their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to include crewmember pay to be considered eligible to payroll costs.
“The Paycheck Protection Program has provided direct relief, truly a lifeline, to Alaskan businesses to help weather the storm during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Lisa Murkowski said. “Unfortunately, many of our fishermen, the ultimate small businesses, were unintentionally left out of the mix due to the Treasury Department’s earlier interpretation of ‘eligible payroll costs.”
Habegger urged Congress to keep this language included in the final package of relief that will be negotiated over the next few weeks.
“Additionally, we are pleased for additional fisheries assistance monies allocated to the program established in the CARES Act thanks to the efforts of Senators Cantwell, Collins, Markey, Murkowski, and Sullivan,” Habegger said. “This money directly benefits the fishermen and fishing businesses who have experienced economic losses due to the pandemic, offering them a lifeline during declines in sales and price.”
When it comes to the retail sector, the National Retail Federation said it was encouraged with some provisions of the HEALS Act.
“…we are very pleased to see the targeted and temporary liability protection for businesses and schools as well as a package of economic stimulus provisions through direct aid to individuals and a hybrid extension of enhanced federal unemployment insurance,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said in a statement. “Also, allowing eligible businesses to take a second Paycheck Protection Program loan addresses the uncertain length of the crisis and the package includes critical tax provisions that will help offset the enormous costs of personal protective equipment and allow more businesses to utilize the enhanced employee retention credit.
Ryan Doyle
Urner Barry
1-732-240-5330
rdoyle@urnerbarry.com