The Crush - May 2020 - 6

[ FEDERAL FOCUS ]

EIDL Loans Available for Ag Businesses
Eligible ag businesses with 500 or
fewer employees can apply for the
Small Business Administration's
(SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan
(EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs.
SBA is reopening the application
portal ONLY to ag enterprises due
to funding limitations and the
unprecedented number of applications already received.
The Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement
Act, signed into law by President Trump, provided additional
funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other ag businesses
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the SBA
website, the estimated time to complete the application is just
over two hours.
WEBSITE: www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications

USMCA to Start July 1
Concluding a process that began in
fall 2018, the United States-MexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) will
enter into force on July 1, according
to U.S. Trade Representative Robert
Lighthizer's notification to Congress
on April 24. The U.S. was the third
country to notify the other countries that it had completed its
domestic procedures to implement the agreement, which was
the final step necessary in the process. President Trump signed
the deal into law on Jan. 29, 2020 after the U.S. Senate and House
passed the legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support.
"The crisis and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
demonstrates that now, more than ever, the United States should
strive to increase manufacturing capacity and investment in
North America. The USMCA's entry into force is a landmark
achievement in that effort," Lighthizer said in an April 24 press
release.
Cornerstone Government Affairs, CAWG's D.C. lobbyist,
commented, "With USMCA's start date on the calendar for
July 1, what comes next? Typically following entry into force,
the compliance and monitoring phase begins. For goods that
enter into commerce on or before June 30, NAFTA rules will
continue to apply. On July 1, USMCA rules will replace NAFTA
rules for all goods - except automotive products, which have a

6 / MAY 2020

three-year transition period. In preparation for July 1, CBP, the
lead implementing agency with respect to USMCA, is actively
working on USMCA implementation, and USMCA regulations
and guidance for the import/export community are pending
publication. The bottom line is that even with a start date just
around the corner, many USMCA provisions are awaiting final
implementation guidance or are under development."

Navigable Waters Protection Rule
On Jan. 23, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and Department
of the Army announced its revised
definition for "waters of the United
States." On April 21, the final rule was
published in the Federal Register. Once
effective on June 22, it replaces the rule
published on Oct. 22, 2019.
"Since the first inception of this rule, I've worked to secure
changes to it with the goal of protecting clean water without
making it harder for farmers and ranchers to operate," House
Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said in a press
release. "I'm encouraged that the new rule takes steps to protect
lakes, ponds, streams, and other tributaries, while providing that
certainty to our ag producers."
California Rep. Doug LaMalfa (D-Richvale) praised the
publishing of the final rule. "This is a common-sense change
that gives landowners the flexibility to maintain their own land
without overreaching federal input," he said in a press release.

10 Minutes! Your Response is Critical
As of May 10, nearly 60 percent
of California households have
responded to the 2020 census (selfresponse rate). If you have not yet
responded, you can complete the
questionnaire online, by phone or
by mail. Paper versions were mailed
to homes in mid-March. It should
take only 10 minutes. If you do not
respond, census takers will contact homes between May 27 and
Aug. 14 to get answers. WEBSITE: https://2020census.gov
About the census: The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census
of the population be conducted every 10 years. Census data helps
determine the number of seats each state holds in Congress and
how billions of dollars in funding are distributed to states and
local communities every year for services and infrastructure,
including healthcare, jobs, schools, roads and bridges.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/04/21/2020-02500/the-navigable-waters-protection-rule-definition-of-waters-of-the-united-states https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/USMCA%20Notification%20Neal.pdf https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/USMCA%20Notification%20Neal.pdf https://www.2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html https://www.2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html https://www.ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2020/april/usmca-enter-force-july-1-after-united-states-takes-final-procedural-steps-implementation https://www.2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html https://www.ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2020/april/usmca-enter-force-july-1-after-united-states-takes-final-procedural-steps-implementation https://www.2020census.gov

The Crush - May 2020

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