(SitNews) Washington, D.C. - Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) today praised a rule that fixed an issue for commercial fishermen who were unable to receive adequate funding under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The US Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration announced a rule yesterday that will allow commercial fishing businesses to account for crew member payroll, something that was not formerly available. However, businesses currently only have until June 30, 2020 to apply for PPP funds.

“I’m happy that our Alaskan fishermen will finally be able to receive equal opportunities for aid under the PPP program in the same way that other businesses have been able to do,” Stedman said.

Stedman said, “Southeast Alaska relies on fishing as a huge part of our economy and food supply, and this program will help alleviate some of the stress from the major loss in revenue due to circumstances from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The structure of commercial fishing businesses using self-employed independent contractors meant crew member payroll was unintentionally ineligible for compensation under this program originally.

Stedman urged those fishing businesses who can to apply by the June 30 deadline. However, he said his office will continue working with lenders and leaders to extend the deadline for those businesses who recently became eligible under this rule. 

“Many folks are currently out on the fishing grounds and will not be able to apply for this relief,” Stedman said.  “My office will work with the congressional delegation to seek an extension.”

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young (all R-Alaska) also praised the rule. Over the past several weeks, the Alaska Congressional Delegation has pressed the Trump administration for the change – which included sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and Administrator Carranza, to request the solution published Thursday. 

While commercial fishing businesses have been eligible for PPP loans, before Thursday’s fix they were not fully able to take advantage of the PPP due to the Department of Treasury’s previous treatment of their employees. Fishing crew members are generally considered self-employed independent contractors by the Internal Revenue Service. Even though these crew members are functionally employees, the previous rules did not allow commercial fishing businesses to account for their employee’s wages when calculating payroll costs when applying for a PPP loan. This led to reduced loan amounts. Today’s rule allows these businesses to account for their crew member’s wages when applying for a PPP loan.

“The Paycheck Protection Program has provided direct relief, truly a lifeline, to Alaskan businesses to help weather the storm during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, many of our fisherman, the ultimate small businesses, were unintentionally left out of the mix due to the Treasury Department’s earlier interpretation of ‘eligible payroll costs,’” said Senator Murkowski. 

Murkowski said, “I thank the Treasury Department for working with the delegation to ensure that fishermen have the same opportunity to fully take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program that so many American businesses have already benefited from. Enabling fishermen to secure the resources they need through PPP is not only fair, it means that these businesses so critical to Alaska have a fighting chance to stay afloat.”

“Alaska is the super-power of seafood because of our hard working fishermen, who, along with so many other Alaskans, have been hurt as a result of the pandemic,” said Senator Sullivan.

Sullivan said, “This common-sense fix to the Paycheck Protection Program, has been too long in coming, but I’m grateful that the Treasury Department finally made it happen. I’m also grateful for the many fishermen in our state who have reached out to my office proposing solutions. Going forward, we will continue to work with the fishing industry to ensure that they can take full advantage of federal funds offered as a result of COVID-19 and on-going stabilization efforts.”

"Alaska's seafood sector is a central pillar of our state's economy, and this crucial industry has taken a tremendous hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act was critical for mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic,” said Congressman Young. 

Young said, “The Paycheck Protection Program created by this legislation continues to serve as a lifeline for many businesses. Unfortunately, federal bureaucracy has prevented our fishermen and processors from taking advantage of this resource. The fix announced today by Secretary Mnuchin and the Trump Administration is welcome news for the countless Alaskans who depend on our waters for their livelihoods. I am more optimistic than ever that our seafood industry will come out of this pandemic stronger than ever before. Our Delegation has been working very hard on behalf of our fishermen on this crucial matter, and I want to thank President Trump for his partnership on behalf of the families in our state."

Commercial fishing businesses currently only have until June 30, 2020 to apply for PPP funds.

On the Web:

Information on how to apply for a PPP loan - Small Business Administration

Source of News:

Alaska Senate Majority - Office of Alaska Senator Bert Stedman
www.akleg.gov

Office of U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
www.murkowski.senate.gov

Office of U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan
www.sullivan.senate.gov

Office of Congressman Don Young
www.donyoung.house.gov

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