Bill > HB2272

This bill, amending Tennessee Code Annotated Title 57, establishes limitations on the liability of celebrities who endorse alcoholic beverage brands or licensed establishments that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption. It defines key terms such as "alcoholic beverage brand," "celebrity," "celebrity endorsement agreement," and "NIL agreement" (which refers to agreements for the use of an individual's commercial or publicity rights, including their name, image, and likeness). To qualify for this protection, a celebrity must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, not a member or employee of the alcoholic beverage commission, not a public official with oversight of alcohol sales, and have a clean record regarding alcohol-related offenses or felony convictions involving moral turpitude within the past ten years, and never have had an alcohol-related license revoked. The bill clarifies that a celebrity endorsement agreement, including compensation and promotional activities, does not constitute an ownership interest or direct involvement in the operations or management of the alcoholic beverage brand or establishment, as long as the celebrity has no ownership stake and is not directly involved in running the business. Specific activities like approving brand criteria or participating in occasional performances are explicitly excluded from being considered operational involvement. The bill also outlines that a celebrity will generally not be held liable for injuries or damages resulting from the actions of the alcoholic beverage brand or establishment, unless the celebrity was directly involved in the sale of the alcohol, has an ownership interest, or is directly involved in the management or control of the business. The commission may require certain documentation from celebrities receiving a significant portion of proceeds to verify their eligibility, and this information will be considered proprietary and not public record.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2272&ga=114