Group Seeks Extension of Relief for Issuers of Tax-Exempt Bonds

October 7, 2020

David J. Kautter
Assistant Secretary
Office of Tax Policy
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Michael J. Desmond
Chief Counsel
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224

Krishna Vallabhaneni
Tax Legislative Counsel
United States Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 3044
Washington, DC 20220

Re: Extension of COVID-19 Relief for Issuers of Tax-Exempt Bonds

Dear Mr. Kautter, Mr. Vallabhaeni, and Mr. Desmond:

The widespread outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (the “COVID-19 Pandemic”) is the subject of an ongoing emergency declaration made by the President of the United States pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act on March 13, 2020. The COVID-19 Pandemic has also been, and continues to be, the subject of numerous emergency declarations by state and local governments. The COVID-19 Pandemic prompted state and local governments to severely limit or, in some cases, prohibit in-person gatherings by members of the general public.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Revenue Procedure 2020-21 (“Rev. Proc. 2020-21”), effective May 4, 2020, provides temporary guidance regarding the public approval requirement under §147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code for tax-exempt private activity bonds. Rev. Proc. 2020-21 provides that for the period ending on December 31, 2020, hearings held by teleconference that are accessible to the residents of the approving governmental unit by calling a toll-free telephone number will be treated as held in a location that, based on the facts and circumstances is convenient for residents of the approving governmental unit for the purpose of §1.147(f)-1(d)(2) of the Treasury Regulations.

The same factors that led to the temporary relief provided in Rev. Proc. 2020-21 continue to exist in many jurisdictions, including Rhode Island. Even in areas where explicit restrictions have been relaxed, members of the public generally have been encouraged to continue to practice social distancing, and, while personal choices vary, certain members of the public continue to limit engagement with others. Still others are required to quarantine in their homes after potential exposure to those with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the time period for the temporary relief provided in Rev. Proc. 2020-21 be extended to at least December 31, 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Mooers at 401-831-3770, or through email at kmooers@rihebc.com

Sincerely,

Kimberly Mooers
Executive Director
Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation
Providence, RI

CC:
Helen M. Hubbard, Associate Chief Counsel, Financial Institutions & Products, Internal Revenue Service
Melissa Moye, Director, Office of State and Local Finance, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Johanna Som de Cerff, Acting Branch Chief, Internal Revenue Service
Zoran Stojanovic, Assistant to the Branch Chief, Internal Revenue Service
Brett York, Acting Deputy Tax Legislative Counsel, U.S. Department of the Treasury