A revised version of a publicity rights bill backed by the family of legendary former Arkansas football coach Frank Broyles that was vetoed last year has won initial approval from the state Legislature.
The House and Senate today approved identical versions of the proposal designed to protect a person's likeness from being used for commercial purposes without their permission.. Gov. Asa Hutchinson last year had vetoed a version of the bill over concerns that it would infringe on First Amendment rights.
The proposal has been revamped to address those concerns and has been backed by the Motion Picture Association of America, who opposed the version that Hutchinson vetoed last year.
Hutchinson has said he'll sign the latest version. The reworked bill includes clearer exemptions for noncommercial forms of speech, including newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, plays, books and other forms of artwork. The House approved the bill on 64-21 vote, and the Senate approved it 29-2.
Final votes on the measure are expected next week.
