COVID-19 Legislation Highlights

The COVID-19 Legislative Highlights are compiled as a courtesy on information that may be relevant to the U.S. Territories and freely associated states. Content will be updated as received. The Office of Insular Affairs is not responsible for the accuracy and/or timeliness of information on this page from other sources.

Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 - Public Law 116-123 (March 6, 2020)

This bill provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

Small Business Administration (SBA)
Heath and Human Services – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Food and Drug Administration; National Institutes of Health; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund; Telehealth Services During Certain Emergencies Act
- Funding provided to CDC includes $8.3m for U.S. territories and freely associated states (not counting Puerto Rico).
State Department
U.S. Agency for International Development – Bilateral Economic Assistance – Global Health Programs; International Disaster Assistance; Economic Support

Full summary for PL 116-123 on congress.gov
Return to COVID-19 Assistance Resources page

Families First Coronavirus Response Act - Public Law 116-127 (March 18, 2020)

This bill responds to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits; and increasing Medicaid funding.

U.S. Department of Agriculture – Women and Children; Commodity Assistance; Public Health Emergency National School Lunch Act; Nutrition Waivers – Maintaining Essential Access to Lunch for Students
- Section 1102 - $100m through 9/30/2021, for grants to the CNMI, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa for nutrition assistance in response to a COVID–19 public health emergency.
Department of Defense – Defense Health Program
Treasury – Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Services
Health and Human Services – Indian Health Program; Aging and Disability Services Program; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund
Veterans Affairs – Medical Services and Medical Community Care
Department of Labor - Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion; Emergency Unemployment Insurance Stabilization and Access; Emergency Paid Sick Leave;
Internal Revenue Service - Tax Credits for Paid Sick and Paid Family and Medical Leave

Full Summary for PL 116-127 on congress.gov
Return to COVID-19 Assistance Resources page

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) - Public Law 116-136 (March 26, 2020)

This bill responds to the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.

Assistance Small Business Interruption Loans
Relief for Individuals, Families, and Businesses
Assistance to Severely Distressed Sectors of the U.S. Economy
Health Care Response – medical supplies; mitigating drug and medical device shortages; emergency use of laboratory medical tests; coverage of testing and preventive services; support to healthcare providers; innovation;
U.S. Territories are included in definition of State for purposes of Coronavirus Economic Stabilization Act of 2020.
Labor provisions – Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under Section 2102 defines “State” as including Insular Areas for purposes of provisions under "Pandemic Unemployment Assistance" and allows increased levels of unemployment payments for those self-employed or otherwise ineligible for unemployment in Guam, CNMI, American Samoa, FSM, RMI, and Palau. May include Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
Transportation – authority to condition assistance on continuation of service.
Treasury’s Coronavirus Relief Fund for Governments - Section 5001 Provides $3 billion for DC, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, and USVI through a set-aside in the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Funds will be distributed based on population
$200m in Nutrition Assistance through 9/30/2021 to CNMI, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa.
Commerce Assistance to Fishery Participants - $300m.
Section 15011 – Reporting on Use of Funds.
Interior Departmental Operations $158.4m through 9/30/2021.
$55m through 9/30/2021 to OIA Technical Assistance Program.
CDC Public Emergency Preparedness $1.5b.
Child Care and Development Block Grant $3.5b through 9/30/2021.
Veterans Affairs – Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund.
Education - $153.7m Educational Stabilization Fund for “outlying areas”.
Museum and Library Services for $50m through 9/30/2021 for Digital Network Access and technical support.
Housing and Urban Development – Community Development Fund to include U.S. territories.
Temporary Permit Use to Guarantee Money Market Mutual Funds

Full Summary for PL 116-136 on congress.gov
Return to COVID-19 Assistance Resources page

Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act - Public Law 116-139 (April 24, 2020)

This bill responds to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing additional funding for small business loans, health care providers, and COVID-19 testing.

Small Business Administration - Increased Authority for Commitments and Appropriations for Paycheck Protection Program (PL 116-123); Increased Authorization (from $10b to $20b) for Emergency EIDL Grants; Eligibility of Agricultural Enterprises for EIDL and Emergency Grants; Set Aside for Insured Depository Institutions, Credit Unions, And Community Financial Institutions (Small Business Act); additional emergency appropriations for coronavirus response
Health and Human Services - Public health and social services emergency fund

Full Summary for PL 116-139 on congress.gov
Return to COVID-19 Assistance Resources page

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COVID-19 Legislation Highlights

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