SOS Act

To establish a grant program for small live venue operators and talent representatives. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Save our Stages Act SOS Act 2. Grants for independent live venue operators (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative (A) In general The term eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative (i) The live venue operator or producer or promoter or the talent representative was fully operational as a live venue operator or producer or promoter or talent representative on February 29, 2020. (ii) As of the date of the grant under this section— (I) the live venue operator or producer or promoter is organizing, promoting, producing, managing, or hosting future events described in paragraph (4)(A)(i); or (II) the talent representative is representing or managing artists and entertainers. (iii) The venues at which the live venue operator or producer or promoter promotes, produces, manages, or hosts events described in paragraph (4)(A)(i) or the artists and entertainers represented or managed by the talent representative perform have the following characteristics: (I) A defined performance and audience space. (II) A mixing desk, public address system, and lighting rig. (III) Employs not less than two of the following: (aa) A sound engineer. (bb) A booker. (cc) A promoter. (dd) A stage manager. (ee) Security personnel. (ff) A box office manager. (IV) There is a paid ticket or cover charge to attend most performances and artists are paid fairly and do not play for free or solely for tips, except for legitimate fundraisers or similar charitable events. (V) For a venue owned or operated by a nonprofit entity that produces free events, the events are produced and managed by paid employees, not by volunteers. (VI) Performances are marketed through listings in printed or electronic publications, on websites, by mass email, or on social media. (iv) The live venue operator or producer or promoter or the talent representative does not have, or is not majority owned or controlled by an entity with, more than one of the following characteristics: (I) Being an issuer, the securities of which are listed on a national securities exchange. (II) Owning or operating venues or talent agencies or talent management companies with offices in more than 1 country. (III) Owning or operating venues in more than 10 States. (IV) Employing more than 500 employees, determined on a full-time equivalent basis in accordance with subparagraph (B). (V) Receiving more than 10 percent of gross revenue from Federal funding. (B) Calculation of full-time employees For purposes of determining the number of full-time equivalent employees under subparagraph (A)(iv)(IV)— (i) any employee working not fewer than 30 hours per week shall be considered a full-time employee; and (ii) any employee working not fewer than 10 hours and fewer than 30 hours per week shall be counted as one-half of a full-time employee. (3) Exchange; issuer; security The terms exchange issuer security 15 U.S.C. 78c(a) (4) Live venue operator or producer or promoter The term live venue operator or producer or promoter (A) means an individual or entity that— (i) as not less than 70 percent of the operations of the person, organizes, promotes, sells tickets, produces, manages, or hosts live concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions, or other events by performing artists and applies a cover charge through ticketing or a front door entrance fee; or (ii) makes tickets to events described in clause (i) available for purchase by the public an average of not less than 60 days before the date of the event and pays performers in an event described in clause (i) in an amount that is based on a percentage of sales, guarantee (in writing or standard contract), or another mutually beneficial formal agreement; and (B) includes an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A) that— (i) operates for profit or as a nonprofit; (ii) is government-owned; or (iii) is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership or operated as a sole proprietorship. (5) National securities exchange The term national securities exchange 15 U.S.C. 78f (6) State The term State (A) a State; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (D) any other territory or possession of the United States. (7) Talent representative The term talent representative (A) means an agent or manager that— (i) as not less than 70 percent of the operations of the agent or manager, is engaged in representing or managing artists and entertainers; (ii) books musicians, comedians, actors, or similar performing artists primarily in independent venues or at festivals; and (iii) represents performers described in clause (ii) that are paid in an amount that is based on the number of tickets sold, or a similar basis; and (B) includes an agent or manager described in subparagraph (A) that— (i) operates for profit or as a nonprofit; (ii) is government-owned; or (iii) is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership or operated as a sole proprietorship. (b) Authority (1) Initial grants The Administrator may make initial grants to eligible operators, promoters, and talent representatives in accordance with this section. (2) Supplemental grants The Administrator may make a supplemental grant in accordance with this section to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative that receives a grant under paragraph (1) if, as of December 1, 2020, the revenues of the eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative for the most recent calendar quarter are not more than 20 percent of the revenues of the eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative for the corresponding calendar quarter during 2019 due to the COVID–19 pandemic. (c) Amount (1) Initial grants A grant under subsection (b)(1) shall be in the amount equal to the lesser of— (A) the amount equal to 45 percent of the gross revenue of the eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative during 2019; (B) for an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative that began operations after January 1, 2019, the amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying— (i) the average monthly gross revenue for each full month during which the entity was in operation during 2019; by (ii) 6; or (C) $12,000,000. (2) Supplemental grants A grant under subsection (b)(2) shall be in the amount equal to 50 percent of the grant received by the eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative under subsection (b)(1). (d) Use of funds (1) Timing (A) Expenses incurred (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), amounts received under a grant under this section may be used for costs incurred during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. (ii) Extension for supplemental grants If an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative receives a grant under subsection (b)(2), amounts received under either grant under this section may be used for costs incurred during the period beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending on June 30, 2021. (B) Expenditure (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative shall return to the Administrator any amounts received under a grant under this section that are not expended on or before the date that is 1 year after the date of disbursement of the grant. (ii) Extension for supplemental grants If an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative receives a grant under subsection (b)(2), the eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative shall return to the Administrator any amounts received under either grant under this section that are not expended on or before the date that is 18 months after the date of disbursement to the eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative of the grant under subsection (b)(1). (2) Allowable expenses An eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative may use amounts received under a grant under this section for— (A) payroll costs for employees and furloughed employees, including— (i) costs for continuation coverage provided pursuant to part 6 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (other than under section 609), title XXII of the Public Health Service Act, section 4980B section 125 (ii) any other non-cash benefit; (B) rent; (C) utilities; (D) mortgage interest payments on existing mortgages as of February 15, 2020; (E) scheduled interest payments on other scheduled debt as of February 15, 2020; (F) costs related to personal protective equipment; (G) payments of principal on outstanding loans; (H) payments made to independent contractors, as reported on Form–1099 MISC; and (I) other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including— (i) settling existing debts owed to vendors; (ii) maintenance expenses; (iii) administrative costs; (iv) taxes; (v) operating leases; (vi) insurance; and (vii) any other capital expenditure or expense required under any State, local, or Federal law or guideline related to social distancing. (3) Prohibited expenses An eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative may not use amounts received under a grant under this section— (A) to purchase real estate; (B) for payments of interest or principal on loans originated after February 15, 2020; (C) to invest or re-lend funds; (D) for contributions or expenditures to, or on behalf of, any political party, party committee, or candidate for elective office; or (E) for any other use as may be prohibited by the Administrator. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000,000 to carry out this section.

Summary: Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues. Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.