Citing the economic impacts of COVID-19 and fluctuations in oil and gas prices, as well as the ongoing impact of racism, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called the 54th Legislature of the State of New Mexico into Special Session. Her call included tax relief for...

Last week, the SBA and the Department of the Treasury debuted two new applications for having Paycheck Protection Program Loans forgiven. One, dubbed the “borrower-friendly” version, accounts for changes made to the program through the PPP Flexibility Act signed into...

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued multiple technical assistance and guidance documents on employment issues. The EEOC enforces federal workplace anti-discrimination laws including Title VII...

On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling banning employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In a 6 to 3 vote, the Court found that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the prohibition on...

After months of being closed and/or having employees work from home, businesses now are reopening gradually and employees are returning to the workplace. Employers are faced with new questions and challenges as indicated by some of the more frequently discussed topics...

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (“PPPFA”), enacted on June 5, 2020, includes several changes to relief measures originally outlined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The PPPFA makes it easier for recipients...

While reopening and re-staffing requirements are highly dependent upon the business’ location and current government mandates, there are consistent rules all employers must follow under the New Mexico Department of Health’s COVID-Safe Practices. These include:...

The SBA has released its application form and instructions for Paycheck Protection Program borrowers who wish to see their loans forgiven. The agency released the form in consultation with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The application includes a worksheet that...

Reopening? Check Insurance Coverages First As states across the nation – including New Mexico – are preparing to relax or rescind COVID-19 related restrictions, many business owners are anxious to reopen their doors to the public. Before reopening their businesses,...