Digital and Radio Facts:
In response to the introduction by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act, which would force broadcast radio stations to pay a performance royalty for musical airplay, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith:
“NAB respectfully opposes the legislation reintroduced by Rep. Nadler that would impose a job-killing performance royalty on America’s hometown radio stations. NAB remains committed to working with Congress on balanced music licensing proposals that help grow the entire music ecosystem, promote innovation, and recognize the benefit of our free locally-focused platform to both artists and listeners. We’re thankful to 165 House Members and 21 Senators who back the Local Radio Freedom Act that acknowledges broadcast radio’s indispensable role in breaking new artists and promoting record sales.”
Reps. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) are the principal cosponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 13) in the House of Representatives. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced a companion resolution in the Senate (S. Con. Res. 6). The bipartisan resolution, which opposes “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local broadcast radio stations, has 165 cosponsors in the House and 21 in the Senate.
This week, Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-1) and Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Roberts (R-KS) joined as cosponsors of the resolution.
The 165 House co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act include (new cosponsor in bold):
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Ralph Abraham (LA-5) |
Kay Granger (TX-12) |
Erik Paulsen (MN-3) |
The Local Radio Freedom Act’s 21 Senate cosponsors are (new cosponsors in bold):
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John Barrasso (R-WY) |
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) |
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