Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73
§9111 Assistance for providers of transportation services affected by COVID–19
Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 116— - CORONAVIRUS ECONOMIC STABILIZATION (CARES ACT) › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - ECONOMIC STABILIZATION AND ASSISTANCE TO SEVERELY DISTRESSED SECTORS OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY › Part Part D— - Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act › § 9111
Summary
Provides $2,000,000,000 in grants from the U.S. Treasury to U.S. passenger-transportation companies hurt by COVID–19. The money is for companies that were operating on March 1, 2020, are based and mostly staffed in the United States, and run certain passenger vessels, over‑the‑road buses, school buses, or other DOT‑regulated passenger services. A company must show it lost at least 25% of revenue because of COVID–19. Small providers with 500 or fewer workers are eligible. Larger providers can be eligible only if they did not already get certain earlier federal COVID relief. The “covered period” starts December 27, 2020 and ends March 31, 2021 or when a provider’s grant is fully spent. “Payroll costs” include pay, tips, paid leave, health and retirement benefits, some employer taxes, and pay to sole proprietors or contractors up to $100,000 per year (prorated). Some items are excluded, such as pay above $100,000 per year for any individual, certain payroll taxes, pay for employees living outside the U.S., some FFCRA leave credits, and bonuses above inflation. Grants must be given as direct payments and calculated so total federal aid does not exceed a provider’s 2019 revenue; companies must give documentation of 2019 revenue. At least 60% of grant money must go to payroll unless the company shows it already rehired and restored pay and staffing to 2019 levels for nonseasonal and seasonal workers. Grant money must be used first to keep payroll, then for worker and customer protection (like PPE), continued operations and upkeep of existing equipment and facilities (rent, leases, insurance, interest), and to pay returning employees for lost pay (subject to offsets for unemployment or severance). Companies must not do involuntary furloughs or cut pay or benefits for nonexecutive staff during the covered period, must try to recall laid‑off workers, return unused funds within one year, and review spending at least every 90 days. The Treasury may use up to $50,000,000 for administering the program, and unused authorization stays available to obligate for three years after December 27, 2020.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §9111
Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In this section:
(1)The term “covered period”, with respect to a provider of transportation services, means the period—
(A)beginning on December 27, 2020; and
(B)ending on the later of—
(i)March 31, 2021; or
(ii)the date on which all funds provided to the provider of transportation services under subsection (c) are expended.
(2)The term “COVID–19” means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.
(3)(A)The term “payroll costs” means—
(i)any payment to an employee of compensation in the form of—
(I)salary, wage, commission, or similar compensation;
(II)payment of a cash tip or an equivalent;
(III)payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave;
(IV)payment required for the provision of group health care or other group insurance benefits, including insurance premiums;
(V)payment of a retirement benefit;
(VI)payment of a State or local tax assessed on employees with respect to compensation; or
(VII)paid administrative leave; and
(ii)any payment of compensation to, or income of, a sole proprietor or independent contractor—
(I)that is—
(aa)a wage;
(bb)a commission;
(cc)income;
(dd)net earnings from self-employment; or
(ee)similar compensation; and
(II)in an amount equal to not more than $100,000 during 1 calendar year, as prorated for the covered period.
(B)The term “payroll costs” does not include—
(i)any compensation of an individual employee in excess of an annual salary of $100,000, as prorated for the covered period;
(ii)any tax imposed or withheld under chapter 21, 22, or 24 of title 26 during the covered period;
(iii)any compensation of an employee whose principal place of residence is outside the United States;
(iv)any qualified sick leave wages for which a credit is allowed under section 7001 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (26 U.S.C. 3111 note; Public Law 116–127);
(v)any qualified family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under section 7003 of that Act (26 U.S.C. 3111 note; Public Law 116–127); or
(vi)any bonus, raise in excess of inflation, or other form of additional employee compensation.
(4)The term “provider of transportation services” means an entity that—
(A)is established or organized—
(i)in the United States; or
(ii)pursuant to Federal law;
(B)has significant operations, and a majority of employees based, in the United States;
(C)was in operation on March 1, 2020; and
(D)is the operator of—
(i)a vessel of the United States (as defined in section 116 of title 46) that is—
(I)a passenger vessel (as defined in section 2101 of that title) carrying fewer than 2,400 passengers;
(II)a small passenger vessel (as defined in section 2101 of that title); or
(III)a vessel providing pilotage services and regulated by a State in accordance with chapter 85 of that title;
(ii)a company providing transportation services using a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment (commonly known as an “over-the-road bus”), including local and intercity fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter or tour service (including tour or excursion service that includes features in addition to bus transportation, such as meals, lodging, admission to points of interest or special attractions, or the services of a guide);
(iii)a company providing transportation services using a school bus (as defined in section 571.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)); or
(iv)any other passenger transportation service company subject to regulation by the Department of Transportation as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, determines to be appropriate.
(5)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(b)Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to provide grants to eligible providers of transportation services under this section, $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, to remain available until expended.
(c)(1)The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall use the amounts made available under subsection (b) to provide grants to eligible providers of transportation services described in paragraph (2) that certify to the Secretary that the providers of transportation services have experienced a revenue loss of 25 percent or more, on an annual basis, as a direct or indirect result of COVID–19.
(2)(A)An eligible provider of transportation services referred to in paragraph (1) is—
(i)a provider of transportation services that, on March 1, 2020—
(I)had 500 or fewer full-time, part-time, or temporary employees; and
(II)was not a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate of any other entity with a combined total workforce of more than 500 full-time, part-time, or temporary employees; or
(ii)a provider of transportation services that—
(I)on March 1, 2020, had more than 500 full-time, part-time, or temporary employees; and
(II)has not received assistance under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 9042(b) of this title, or subtitle B of title IV of division A,11 So in original. The comma probably should not appear. of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 281) [15 U.S.C. 9071 et seq.].
(B)(i)A provider of transportation services that has entered into or maintains a contract or agreement described in clause (ii) shall not be determined to be ineligible for assistance under this subsection on the basis of that contract or agreement, subject to clause (iv).
(ii)A contract or agreement referred to in clause (i) is a contract or agreement for transportation services that is supported by a public entity using funds received under the Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations (division B of Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 505).
(iii)The Secretary may reduce the amount of assistance available under this subsection to a provider of transportation services described in clause (i) based on the amount of funds provided under this section or the Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations (division B of Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 505) that have supported a contract or agreement described in clause (ii) to which the provider of transportation services is a party.
(iv)A provider of transportation services that has entered into or maintains a contract or agreement described in clause (ii), and that applies for assistance under this subsection, shall submit to the Secretary a notice describing the contract or agreement, including the amount of funds provided for the contract or agreement under this subsection or the Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations (division B of Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 505).
(3)(A)In determining the amount of assistance to be provided to an eligible provider of transportation services under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration information provided by the provider of transportation services, including—
(i)the amount of debt owed by the provider of transportation services on major equipment, if any;
(ii)other sources of Federal assistance provided to the provider of transportation services, if any; and
(iii)such other information as the Secretary may require.
(B)(i)The Secretary shall ensure that the amount of assistance provided to a provider of transportation services under this subsection, when combined with any other Federal assistance provided in response to COVID–19 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 281), the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Public Law 116–139; 134 Stat. 620), or any other provision of law, does not exceed the total amount of revenue earned by the provider of transportation services during calendar year 2019.
(ii)A provider of transportation services seeking assistance under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary—
(I)documentation describing the total amount of revenue earned by the provider of transportation services during calendar year 2019; and
(II)a certification that the amount of assistance sought under this subsection, when combined with any other Federal assistance described in clause (i), does not exceed the total amount of revenue earned by the provider of transportation services during calendar year 2019.
(4)The amounts made available under subsection (b) shall be provided to eligible providers of transportation services in the form of grants.
(5)The Secretary shall ensure equal access to the assistance provided under this section to eligible providers of transportation services that are small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.
(6)As a condition of receipt of assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall require that a provider of transportation services shall agree—
(A)subject to paragraph (7)—
(i)to commence using the funds, on a priority basis and to the extent the funds are available, to maintain through the applicable covered period, expenditures on payroll costs for all employees as of December 27, 2020, after making any adjustments required for—
(I)retirement; or
(II)voluntary employee separation;
(ii)not to impose, during the covered period—
(I)any involuntary furlough; or
(II)any reduction in pay rates or benefits for nonexecutive employees; and
(iii)to recall or rehire any employees laid off, furloughed, or terminated after March 27, 2020, to the extent warranted by increased service levels;
(B)to return to the Secretary any funds received under this subsection that are not used by the provider of transportation services by the date that is 1 year after the date of receipt of the funds; and
(C)to examine the anticipated expenditure of the funds by the provider of transportation services for the purposes described in subparagraph (A) not less frequently than once every 90 days after the date of receipt of the funds.
(7)The requirement described in paragraph (6)(A)(iii) shall not apply to a provider of transportation services until the later of—
(A)the date that is 30 days after the date of receipt of the funds; and
(B)the date that is 90 days after December 27, 2020.
(8)(A)As a condition of receipt of a grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall require that, except as provided in subparagraph (B), a provider of transportation services shall agree to use an amount equal to not less than 60 percent of the funds on payroll costs of the provider of transportation services.
(B)Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a provider of transportation services if the provider of transportation services certifies to the Secretary that, after making any adjustments required for retirement or voluntary employee separation—
(i)each nonseasonal employee on the payroll of the provider of transportation services on January 1, 2020—
(I)if laid off, furloughed, or terminated by the provider of transportation services as described in paragraph (6)(A)(iii), is rehired, or has been offered rehire, by the provider of transportation services; and
(II)if rehired under clause (i) or subject to a reduction in salary before the date of receipt by the provider of transportation services of assistance under this subsection, receives not less than 100 percent of the previous salary of the employee;
(ii)the provider of transportation services—
(I)is staffed at a level of full-time equivalent, seasonal employees, on a monthly basis, that is greater than or equivalent to the level at which the provider of transportation services was staffed with full-time equivalent, seasonal employees on a monthly basis during calendar year 2019;
(II)is offering priority in rehiring to seasonal employees that were laid off, furloughed, terminated, or not offered rehire in calendar year 2020, as the provider of transportation services achieves staffing at the level described in subclause (I); and
(III)offers any seasonal employee rehired under subclause (II) or subject to a reduction in salary before the date of receipt by the provider of transportation services of assistance under this subsection not less than 100 percent of the previous salary of the employee; and
(iii)the provider of transportation services will fully cover, through the applicable covered period, all payroll costs associated with the staffing requirements described in clauses (i) and (ii).
(9)A grant provided under this section shall be in such form, subject to such terms and conditions, and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in accordance with this section.
(d)(1)Subject to the priority described in subsection (c)(6)(A), a provider of transportation services shall use assistance provided under subsection (c) only for—
(A)the payment of payroll costs;
(B)the acquisition of services, equipment, including personal protective equipment, and other measures needed to protect workers and customers from COVID–19;
(C)continued operations and maintenance during the applicable covered period of existing capital equipment and facilities—
(i)including rent, leases, insurance, and interest on regularly scheduled debt service; but
(ii)not including any prepayment of, or payment of principal on, a debt obligation, except for any principal on a debt obligation accrued by the provider of transportation services directly to maintain the expenditures of the provider of transportation services on payroll costs throughout the COVID–19 pandemic; or
(D)the compensation of returning employees for lost pay and benefits during the COVID–19 pandemic, subject to subsection (e).
(2)The use of assistance provided under subsection (c) for the compensation of returning employees under paragraph (1)(D) shall be counted toward the required amount of grants to be used on payroll costs under subsection (c)(6)(A).
(e)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any compensation provided to a returning employee under subsection (d)(1)(D)—
(1)shall be offset by—
(A)any amounts received by the employee from the provider of transportation services as a result of the layoff, furlough, or termination of the employee or any failure to hire the employee for seasonal employment during calendar year 2020, including—
(i)furlough pay;
(ii)severance pay; or
(iii)separation pay; and
(B)any amounts the employee received from unemployment insurance; and
(2)shall not—
(A)be considered an overpayment for purposes of any State or Federal unemployment law; or
(B)be subject to any overpayment recovery efforts by a State agency (as defined in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (U.S.C. 3304 note 22 So in original. Probably should be “26 U.S.C. 3304 note”. )).
(f)(1)The Secretary may take such actions as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section, including—
(A)using direct hiring authority to hire employees to administer this section;
(B)entering into contracts, including contracts for services authorized by this section; and
(C)issuing such regulations and other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section.
(2)Of the funds made available under this section, not more than $50,000,000 may be used by the Secretary for administrative expenses to carry out this section.
(3)The funds made available under this section shall remain available for obligation until the date that is 3 years after December 27, 2020.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(A)(ii)(II), (3)(B)(i), also known as the CARES Act, is Pub. L. 116–136, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 281, which enacted this chapter and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. Subtitle B of title IV of division A of the Act is classified generally to part B (§ 9071 et seq.) of this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables. The Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(B)(ii) to (iv), is div. B of Pub. L. 116–136, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 505. Provisions in the Act relating to funds for transportation services are not classified to the Code. The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B)(i), is Pub. L. 116–139, Apr. 24, 2020, 134 Stat. 620, which amended section 636, 9006, and 9009 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
of 2020 Amendment note set out under section 9001 of this title and Tables. section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(B), is section 205 of Pub. L. 91–373, which is set out as a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and not as part of the CARES Act which in part comprises this chapter.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 9111
Title 15 — Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73