Federal Disaster Legislation

In response to the increasing dangers of the coronavirus emergency, the U.S. Congress approved and the President signed four pieces of emergency response Legislation.  Each of these bills are outlined below.

Bill 1 - HR 6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, more commonly referred as the Supplemental Appropriations Act.  [116-123 (March 6, 2020)]

In general, the bill provides an $8.3 billion supplemental appropriation to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, the State Department, and the Small Business Administration.  This is the initial source of funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.

• A comprehensive summary of the Supplemental Appropriations Act provided by

• A summary of the major provisions of the Supplemental Appropriations Act prepared by the National Council of State Legislatures.

Bill 2 - HR 6201 - The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, more commonly referred to as the FFCR Act. [116-127 (March 18, 2020)]

In general, the FFCR Act establishes federal paid leave, guarantees free coronavirus testing, enhances Unemployment Insurance, protects public health workers, expands food security initiatives, and increases federal Medicaid Funding. 

• A comprehensive summary of the FFCR Act by the US House of Representatives' Committees on Appropriation and the Labor and Education.

• A summary of the major provisions of the FFCR Act by the National Council of State Legislatures.

Information from the US Department of Labor on the paid leave provisions in the FFCR Act:

• Fact sheet on employees raid leave rights

• Fact sheet on paid leave requirements

• Answers to frequently asked questions

Bill 3 - HR 748 - The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, more commonly referred to as the CARES Act.  [116-136 (March 27, 2020)]

• Comprehensive summary of the CARES Act, prepared by the US Senate Appropriations Committee.

• Summary of the major small business provisions of the CARES Act, as prepared by the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

• California-focused summary of major provisions of the CARES Act, as prepared for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED). 

Bill 4 - HR 266 - The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Enhancement Act).  [116-139 (April 24, 2020)] 

In general, the legislation provides $484 billion to provide funding to local hospitals ($75 billion), coronavirus testing ($25 billion), and refund the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program ($60 billion) and the Payment Protection Program ($310 billion).

• Comprehensive summary of the Enhancement Act prepared by the Congressional Research Service.

• Summary of major provisions of the Enhancement Act. [pending]