The bill costs approximately $2.2 trillion and is focused on providing relief to individuals, companies, and states impacted by the coronavirus. While it will provide stability to the economy, experts do not see it as an economic stimulus package, so there is already talk about another package being developed in the coming weeks. The next package would likely include funding for infrastructure investments to help stimulate the economy, as well as further relief to sectors economically impacted by coronavirus, such as decreased revenues at water and wastewater utilities. To assist utilities impacted by the pandemic there were significant efforts by the water sector to get support for water-related provisions included in this bill, but in the end the package provided limited direct aid to most municipal sectors, except airports and public transit.

WEF will continue to collaborate with other water associations to push to include water-related provisions in the next coronavirus package, and WEF strongly urges members to send letters to Congress via the current WEF Water Advocates call-to-action to support the water sector in the next recovery package. Since the next package will most likely be focused on stimulating the economy, this advocacy is intended to both aid utilities and their contractors harmed by the pandemic, and help communities and the economy bounce back since investments in water infrastructure provide tremendous economic growth benefits.

Attached is a comprehensive summary of the provision in HR 748, and below is a list of some of the key provisions that will assist local governmental organizations or of general national interest:

— $500 billion Dept. of Treasury Loan Program: Loans, loan guarantees, and other investment to eligible businesses, States, and municipalities impacted by the coronavirus.

— $454 billion Federal Reserve Authority: The Federal Reserve is authorized to purchase obligations directly or through secondary markets and make loans or advances secured by collateral to businesses, States, and municipal governments.

— $150 billion in grants to States, Tribes and Units of Local Government: For coronavirus related expenses states will receive at least $1.5 billion each. The text defines “units of local government” of a governmental organization with a population more than 500,000 people. Below 500,000 people is left out of the program.

— $260 billion for Unemployment: In addition to unemployment assistance included in previous coronavirus relief packages, S. 3548 would provide an additional $600 to benefits to deliver 100% of a worker's salary.

— $377 billion for Small Business Assistance: The Small Business Administration will provide $350 billion in loans (eligible for forgiveness) to maintain payrolls. Emergency loans of up to $10,000 would be available to support immediate small business operational costs. And $17 billion would be available to support existing SBA loan repayments. Text allows for small businesses to use the funds to pay for utility bills. Non-profit entities qualify for these benefits as well.

— Direct Payments to Americans: Workers that make less than $75,000 annually ($150,000 married) would receive $1,200 ($2,400 married) and $500 for each child. Payments would decrease for workers making more than the cap.

— $300 billion in Emergency Appropriations:

· Funding also provided to federal, state and local health agencies to purchase equipment.

· $4.3 billion to support federal, state and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare and respond to Coronavirus, including testing, infection control and mitigation at local level of communities.

· $45 billion to support FEMA Disaster Relief Fund that will support state, local, tribal and territorial needs associated with providing "critical and essential services.”

· $10 billion to support airports' operational needs.

· $7 billion to support homelessness/affordable housing needs, including avoiding eviction.

· $6.5 billion to support CDBG, Economic Development Administration and Manufacturing Extension Partnership to mitigate local economic needs and rebuild industries (tourism and supply chain).