,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dbeh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bb1 #bjbj ,mr4 ,cornyn 7for himself and ,ms4 ,klobuchar7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship ,a ,,bill ,to establish a grant program for small live venue operators and talent representatives4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,save our ,stages ,act or the ,,sos ,act4 #b4 ,grants for independent live venue operators 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration4 7#b7 ,eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative means a live venue operator or producer or promoter or a talent representative that meets the following requirements3 7i7 ,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 #bi1 #bjbj4 7ii7 ,as of the date of the grant under this section-- 7,i7 the live venue operator or producer or promoter is organizing1 promoting1 producing1 managing1 or hosting future events described in paragraph 7#d77;,a77i72 or 7,,ii7 the talent representative is representing or managing artists and entertainers4 7iii7 ,the venues at which the live venue operator or producer or promoter promotes1 produces1 manages1 or hosts events described in paragraph 7#d77;,a77i7 or the artists and entertainers represented or managed by the talent representative perform have the following characteristics3 7,i7 ,a defined performance and audience space4 7,,ii7 ,a mixing desk1 public address system1 and lighting rig4 7,,iii7 ,employs not less than two of the following3 7aa7 ,a sound engineer4 7bb7 ,a booker4 7cc7 ,a promoter4 7dd7 ,a stage manager4 7ee7 ,security personnel4 7ff7 ,a box office manager4 7,,iv7 ,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 tips1 except for legitimate fundraisers or similar charitable events4 7,v7 ,for a venue owned or operated by a nonprofit entity that produces free events1 the events are produced and managed by paid employees1 not by volunteers4 7,,vi7 ,performances are marketed through listings in printed or electronic publications1 on websites1 by mass email1 or on social media4 7iv7 ,the live venue operator or producer or promoter or the talent representative does not have1 or is not majority owned or controlled by an entity with1 more than one of the following characteristics3 7,i7 ,being an issuer1 the securities of which are listed on a national securities exchange4 7,,ii7 ,owning or operating venues or talent agencies or talent management companies with offices in more than #a country4 7,,iii7 ,owning or operating venues in more than #aj ,states4 7,,iv7 ,employing more than #ejj employees1 determined on a full-time equivalent basis in accordance with subparagraph 7,b74 7,v7 ,receiving more than #aj percent of gross revenue from ,federal funding4 7,b7 ,calculation of full-time employees ,for purposes of determining the number of full-time equivalent employees under subparagraph 7,a77iv77,,iv7-- 7i7 any employee working not fewer than #cj hours per week shall be considered a full-time employee2 and 7ii7 any employee working not fewer than #aj hours and fewer than #cj hours per week shall be counted as one-half of a full-time employee4 7#c7 ,exchange2 issuer2 security ,the terms exchange1 issuer1 and security have the meanings given such terms in section #c7;a7 of the ,securities ,exchange ,act of #aicd 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gh;c7a774 7#d7 ,live venue operator or producer or promoter ,the term live venue operator or producer or promoter-- 7,a7 means an individual or entity that-- 7i7 as not less than #gj percent of the operations of the person1 organizes1 promotes1 sells tickets1 produces1 manages1 or hosts live concerts1 comedy shows1 theatrical productions1 or other events by performing artists and applies a cover charge through ticketing or a front door entrance fee2 or 7ii7 makes tickets to events described in clause 7i7 available for purchase by the public an average of not less than #fj days before the date of the event and pays performers in an event described in clause 7i7 in an amount that is based on a percentage of sales1 guarantee 7in writing or standard contract71 or another mutually beneficial formal agreement2 and 7,b7 includes an individual or entity described in subparagraph 7,a7 that-- 7i7 operates for profit or as a nonprofit2 7ii7 is government-owned2 or 7iii7 is a corporation1 limited liability company1 or partnership or operated as a sole proprietorship4 7#e7 ,national securities exchange ,the term national securities exchange means an exchange registered as a national securities exchange under section #f of the ,securities ,exchange ,act of #aicd 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gh;f74 7#f7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 a ,state2 7,b7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7,c7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 and 7,d7 any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states4 7#g7 ,talent representative ,the term talent representative-- 7,a7 means an agent or manager that-- 7i7 as not less than #gj percent of the operations of the agent or manager1 is engaged in representing or managing artists and entertainers2 7ii7 books musicians1 comedians1 actors1 or similar performing artists primarily in independent venues or at festivals2 and 7iii7 represents performers described in clause 7ii7 that are paid in an amount that is based on the number of tickets sold1 or a similar basis2 and 7,b7 includes an agent or manager described in subparagraph 7,a7 that-- 7i7 operates for profit or as a nonprofit2 7ii7 is government-owned2 or 7iii7 is a corporation1 limited liability company1 or partnership or operated as a sole proprietorship4 7b7 ,authority 7#a7 ,initial grants ,the ,administrator may make initial grants to eligible operators1 promoters1 and talent representatives in accordance with this section4 7#b7 ,supplemental grants ,the ,administrator may make a supplemental grant in accordance with this section to an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative that receives a grant under paragraph 7#a7 if1 as of ,december #a1 #bjbj1 the revenues of the eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative for the most recent calendar quarter are not more than #bj percent of the revenues of the eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative for the corresponding calendar quarter during #bjai due to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7c7 ,amount 7#a7 ,initial grants ,a grant under subsection 7b77#a7 shall be in the amount equal to the lesser of-- 7,a7 the amount equal to #de percent of the gross revenue of the eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative during #bjai2 7,b7 for an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative that began operations after ,january #a1 #bjai1 the amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying-- 7i7 the average monthly gross revenue for each full month during which the entity was in operation during #bjai2 by 7ii7 #f2 or 7,c7 #ab1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,supplemental grants ,a grant under subsection 7b77#b7 shall be in the amount equal to #ej percent of the grant received by the eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative under subsection 7b77#a74 7d7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,timing 7,a7 ,expenses incurred 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii71 amounts received under a grant under this section may be used for costs incurred during the period beginning on ,march #a1 #bjbj1 and ending on ,december #ca1 #bjbj4 7ii7 ,extension for supplemental grants ,if an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative receives a grant under subsection 7b77#b71 amounts received under either grant under this section may be used for costs incurred during the period beginning on ,march #a1 #bjbj1 and ending on ,june #cj1 #bjba4 7,b7 ,expenditure 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii71 an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 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 #a year after the date of disbursement of the grant4 7ii7 ,extension for supplemental grants ,if an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative receives a grant under subsection 7b77#b71 the eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 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 #ah months after the date of disbursement to the eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative of the grant under subsection 7b77#a74 7#b7 ,allowable expenses ,an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative may use amounts received under a grant under this section for-- 7,a7 payroll costs for employees and furloughed employees1 including-- 7i7 costs for continuation coverage provided pursuant to part #f of subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,employee ,retirement ,income ,security ,act of #aigd 7other than under section #fji71 title ,,xxii of the ,public ,health ,service ,act1 section #dihj;,b of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7other than subsection 7f77#a7 of such section insofar as it relates to pediatric vaccines71 or section #hije;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 or under a ,state program that provides comparable continuation coverage1 other than coverage under a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan within the meaning of section #abe of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 or 7ii7 any other non-cash benefit2 7,b7 rent2 7,c7 utilities2 7,d7 mortgage interest payments on existing mortgages as of ,february #ae1 #bjbj2 7,e7 scheduled interest payments on other scheduled debt as of ,february #ae1 #bjbj2 7,f7 costs related to personal protective equipment2 7,g7 payments of principal on outstanding loans2 7,h7 payments made to independent contractors1 as reported on ,form-#ajii ,,misc2 and 7,i7 other ordinary and necessary business expenses1 including-- 7i7 settling existing debts owed to vendors2 7ii7 maintenance expenses2 7iii7 administrative costs2 7iv7 taxes2 7v7 operating leases2 7vi7 insurance2 and 7vii7 any other capital expenditure or expense required under any ,state1 local1 or ,federal law or guideline related to social distancing4 7#c7 ,prohibited expenses ,an eligible operator1 promoter1 producer1 or talent representative may not use amounts received under a grant under this section-- 7,a7 to purchase real estate2 7,b7 for payments of interest or principal on loans originated after ,february #ae1 #bjbj2 7,c7 to invest or re-lend funds2 7,d7 for contributions or expenditures to1 or on behalf of1 any political party1 party committee1 or candidate for elective office2 or 7,e7 for any other use as may be prohibited by the ,administrator4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #aj1jjj1jjj1jjj to carry out this section4