The Save Our Stages Extension Act, also known as Bill 117 HR 5429, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at providing additional relief to live entertainment venues that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill seeks to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs to provide financial assistance to these venues.
The Save Our Stages Extension Act builds upon the original Save Our Stages Act, which was passed in December 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This new legislation aims to provide further support to struggling venues by extending the deadline for applying for PPP and EIDL loans, as well as increasing the amount of funding available to these businesses.
The bill also includes provisions to ensure that funds are distributed equitably to venues of all sizes, including small independent venues and larger entertainment complexes. Additionally, the legislation includes measures to prevent fraud and abuse of the relief funds, such as requiring recipients to demonstrate a significant loss of revenue due to the pandemic.
Overall, the Save Our Stages Extension Act is designed to provide much-needed financial assistance to live entertainment venues that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to ensure that these cultural institutions can survive and continue to contribute to their communities.