Economic relief for COVID-19-impacted businesses
and workers–including extended eligibility for unemployment–has received
final passage in the Kentucky House and is now headed to Governor Beshear for
his consideration.
A key provision of the bill would extend
unemployment eligibility to the self-employed, including many small business
owners and gig workers who were not previously eligible for unemployment
benefits under Kentucky law
Other provisions of the bill would shield
Kentucky taxpayers from tax filing penalties and interest due to an extension
of the state’s tax filing and payments deadline in adherence with federal
changes, and would also:
· Allow government agencies or appropriate boards or
commissions to waive license fees for businesses forced to close or
significantly impacted
· Help displaced workers access benefits quickly.
· Protect small business owners forced to lay off
workers by preventing an increase in the calculated unemployment rate.
· Allow restaurants to repurpose their business
plans to allow retail sale of items out the door without requiring new licensing
The bill provisions would be triggered
immediately after the bill is signed into law by the governor or otherwise
becomes law. The relief would sunset, or cease, once the current state of
emergency ends by declaration of the governor or, otherwise, by action of the
General Assembly in regular session.