text: COA DSD Issues Poster for Jobsites with 10+ Workers
  by Clayton Utkov On Monday evening, April 6, 2020, the Development Services Department of the City of Austin (DSD) issued updated guidance for the construction industry, reiterating that "all construction is considered essential" pursuant to the Governor's Order No. GA14, and the DSD affirms that the COA worker protection requirements remain in place.
  The worker protection requirements can be found in the April 2, 2020, COA Supplemental Guidance Based on Executive Order No. GA-14, which is available at the following link. The supplemental guidance from April 2nd, includes the employer health and safety requirements as item number 3. The bullet point list of requirements includes the posting of "a sign in English and Spanish providing the social distancing requirements of Section 6.j. of the Stay at Home Order", among other things, once the COA makes the signs available to Contractors.
  Yesterday's supplemental guidance from the DSD includes a link to the English and Spanish versions of the signs, which can be found here. Both English and Spanish versions of these signs must be displayed at any construction site with "more than 10 active workers at any given time."
  It is also worth noting that the DSD's guidance says that "Austin Code inspectors will continue to monitor construction sites to ensure that social distancing and recommended hygiene practices are being observed."
  CARES Act Update: PPP & $250 Billion Boost | EIDL Program Expansion
  by Patrick Hayes and Mahek Bhojani Paycheck Protection Program: Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a FAQ regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. In addition to other clarifications, this FAQ clarifies the eligibility requirements of small businesses.
  Per the text of the CARES Act, a business is eligible for the loan if the business has 500 or fewer employees or the business meets the SBA employee-based size standards for the industry in which it operates (if applicable).
  In addition, small business concerns (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632) are eligible even if they have more than 500 employees so long as they satisfy the existing statutory and regulatory definition of a "small business concern." The FAQ also provides that a business can qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program as a small business concern if it meets both tests in SBA's "alternative size standard" as of March 27, 2020: (1) maximum tangible net worth of the business is not more than $15 million; and (2) the average net income after federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) of the business for the two full fiscal years before the date of the application is not more than $5 million.
  Separate from the FAQ issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated today that he has spoken with congressional leaders to secure an additional $250 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program. Any additional funding will need to be approved by Congress.
  Continued guidance is expected from the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. We will keep you updated with any other developments regarding the Paycheck Protection Program.
  Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Emergency Grant: While there has been much media focus on the Paycheck Protection Program, we want to acknowledge that the CARES Act also expands the SBA's long-standing Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The CARES Act allocates $10 billion to expand the EIDL program to businesses beyond previous size limits to include those with up to 500 employees, with some relaxed eligibility requirements. Additionally, in an effort to get money into the hands of small businesses as soon as possible, Section 1110 of the CARES Act authorizes an emergency grant to eligible businesses of up to $10,000.... Read More.
  As featured in the Houston Business Journal on April 3rd, Ed Ripley, shareholder in the bankruptcy and restructuring practice group, shares the new type of bankruptcy option that small businesses are now afforded via the CARES Act. Click here for the article.
  Ed was also interviewed on 740am KTRH radio to discuss how more companies will soon be able to take advantage of increased bankruptcy protection under the CARES Act. Today's summary can be found here.
  April 03 -- The CARES Act 2020 Update : New SBA PPP Application & Guidelines
  April 03 -- Houston & Dallas Extend "Stay Home, Work Safe" Orders [Updated]
  March 31 -- Austin & Travis County Guidance on "Stay Home, Work Safe" Orders Conflict and Continue to Cause Confusion