Dear Clients and Friends,
Below please find the seventh edition of Stearns Weaver Miller's COVID-19 Legal Compass, highlighting government updates, alerts on critical topics, and resources to help you navigate and adapt to this rapidly changing environment.
All actions described below have been ordered or updated between May 1, 2020 and May 7, 2020. We have done our best to include significant, timely information, although new orders and actions are being introduced continuously.
View a comprehensive listing of the government actions pertaining to COVID-19 that we have collected to date.
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RECENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
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Frequently Asked Questions for Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") Applicants
: On May 6, 2020, the SBA posted
frequently asked questions ("FAQs")
to assist in the interpretation and application of the
interim final rule. The FAQs are designed to address the common questions raised by both borrowers and lenders as they work through the loan application process.
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Supplemented Interim Rule for PPP
: On May 5, 2020, the SBA
supplemented
its interim final rule for the PPP that particularly applies to nonprofit loan applicants. This rule provides guidance that for purposes of the PPP, nonprofits must meet their nondiscrimination obligations under existing Federal laws and Executive Orders and on the religious employer exemptions set forth in Section 702 of Title VII. For small educational institution applicants, the rule makes it clear that applicants can discount work study students when calculating their number of employees. The rule is effective without advance notice and public comment, but comments are requested.
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RECENT STATE OF FLORIDA GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
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Extension of State of Emergency: Executive Order 20-52, which declared a state of emergency in Florida, has been extended for 60 days. Click for more.
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Re-opening of Barber Shops, Hair Salons and Nail Salons: Governor DeSantis announced that all counties currently in Phase 1 are allowed to re-open barber shops, hair salons and nail salons with enhanced safety protocols, effective Monday, May 11. Click for more.
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Limit on In-Person Court Proceedings Extended, Type of Virtual Hearings Expanded: The Florida Supreme Court extended many previously enacted COVID-19 protection measures while also directing lower courts to proceed on hearings amenable to remote execution. Click for more.
View an easy-to-read matrix of the Florida government agency orders that we have collected to date. Highlighted actions are new (May 1-7) since last issue.
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RECENT COUNTY AND CITY GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Our
comprehensive listing
includes the latest updates on the actions of 59 local governments throughout the state of Florida, as well as permitting information and a virtual meetings database. Grouped by region and with an easy-to-navigate table of contents, the listing is filled digestible bullet points and links to each government's orders, organized by date.
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| Photo Source - Florida's COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard, Florida Department of Health, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, May 7, 2020 |
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BEGINS REOPENING PROCESS
In support of a phased re-opening, local governments across the state are developing creative ways to support their local businesses. Governments are relaxing permitting requirements and even closing streets to help restaurants expand outdoor seating to comply with the social distancing rules.
At this time, many local governments continue to meet virtually but are planning to resume physical meetings and quasi-judicial hearings in June or July. Our
comprehensive listing
includes a virtual meeting database, as well as the latest update on Local Government Actions.
On April 22nd, our team presented a webinar wherein we discussed the practical and legal challenges presented in a virtual land use public hearing and the best practices to proceed in these virtual times. You can view the webinar here!
If you have questions about a local government order or an upcoming virtual public hearing,
email
us.
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