Executive Order 20-095 STATE OF FLORIDAO
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-95
(COVID-19 Emergency Order—Documentary Stamps for SBA Loans)
WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory
illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with
symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020,I issued Executive.Order 20-51 directing the Florida
Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and'
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer
declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19;
and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of
emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention("CDC")issued the"15 Days to Slow the Spread"guidance
advising individuals to adopt far-reaching social distancing measures, such as avoiding
gatherings of more than 10 people, and in states with evidence of community spread,
recommending restrictions to certain establishments conducive to mass gatherings and
congregations;and
WHEREAS,on March 29,2020,the President extended such guidance to be in effect
until April 30, 2020 and along with the White House Coronavirus Task Force urged
Americans to continue to adhere to the guidelines and expand community mitigation
Doc#2263683 Bk#3018 Pg#2201
Recorded 4/21/2020 10:08 AM Page 1 of 3
Filed and Recorded in Official Records of
MONROE COUNTY KEVLN MADOK,CPA
efforts; and
WHEREAS, multiple Florida counties and local governments have ordered certain
business closures and restricted public access outside of the home; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2020, in concert with the efforts of President Trump and the
White House Coronavirus Task Force, and based on guidance provided by Florida Surgeon
General and State Health Officer, Dr. Scott Rivkees, I directed all persons in Florida to limit
their movements and personal interactions outside of home to only those necessary to obtain
or provide essential services or conduct essential activities; and
WHEREAS, many Florida businesses have been negatively impacted by the spread
of COVID-19 and the precautionary measures taken by the nation in response to COVID-19;
and
WHEREAS, on March 27, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R.
748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") to provide
financial relief to people and businesses suffering as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Title I of the CARES Act created a Paycheck Protection Program
providing loans to small businesses in furtherance of keeping American workers paid and
employed; and
WHEREAS, I fmd that encouraging small businesses in Florida to apply for these
loans is in the best interest of the state and its people; and
WHEREAS,I find that requiring payment of documentary stamp taxes on these loans
under Florida law will discourage small businesses in Florida from applying for such loans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I,RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252 of
2
the Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to
take immediate effect:
Section 1. Effective April-3, 2020, the assessment and collection of taxation imposed
under Chapter 201, Florida Statutes, is suspended for all notes and other written obligations
made pursuant to Title I of the CARES Act. The Department of Revenue shall issue an
emergency order establishing that'.taxation imposed under Chapter 201., Florida Statutes, for
notes and other written obligations made pursuant to Title I of the CARES Act is not,owed as a
result of the above suspension.
Section 2. This directive shall remain in effect until the expiration of Executive Order
20-52, including any extensions.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
_ set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the
--4'sJ&i State of Florida to be. affixed, at Tallahassee, this
.4 '' 6th day of April, 2020.
(\ ' i'''
A, �,� ter'
{z r
41,//i/PPI'IP:
.434,..1._.i:/iv7,,,,,.;g:,;:rt2.ro.
RON DESANTIS GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
i�
R.60)1 , °-e.e__. ,_
, ,... _ , ,
_ _ -,,, ., ,
E . TARY OF STATE .., 1 .
::"..4 is J
�r
v�
3