Senate Bill 2163, also known as House Bill 2272, amends Tennessee law regarding the liability of celebrities who endorse alcoholic beverage brands or businesses. The bill establishes that a celebrity's endorsement does not equate to ownership of the brand or business, thereby protecting them from liability for damages resulting from the sale of endorsed alcoholic beverages. It introduces definitions for terms such as "celebrity," "celebrity endorsement agreement," and "intellectual property," and outlines the criteria a celebrity must meet to enter into such agreements, including age, citizenship, and a clean legal record regarding alcohol-related offenses.

Additionally, the bill specifies that a celebrity endorsement agreement does not imply ownership interest in the alcoholic beverage brand or establishment, provided the celebrity has no ownership stake and is not involved in the management or operations of the business. It also clarifies that personal promotional activities do not constitute involvement in operations. The bill includes provisions for the commission to require documentation from celebrities receiving significant proceeds from endorsements and establishes that such information is proprietary and not public record. Furthermore, it introduces a framework for individuals with interests in alcoholic beverage brands held in irrevocable trusts, allowing them to engage in promotional activities while maintaining compliance with legal restrictions.

Statutes affected:
Amended with HA0869 -- 04/06/2026: 57-4-110
Amended with HA0869, SA0872 -- 04/09/2026: 57-4-110