Resolution Opposes Performance Royalty on Local Radio

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, May 4, 2021 | 2:18pm CT

U.S. Congress

A bipartisan coalition of 77 members of the House of Represenatives and eight Senators have joined together to introduce resolutions in Congress opposing "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local broadcast radio stations. The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) signals members of Congress's opposition to any potential legislation that would impose new performance royalties on broadcast radio stations for music airplay.

Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) and Steve Womack (R-AR-3) are the principal co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act in the House of Representatives. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Barrasso (R-WY) are the lead co-sponsors of a companion resolution in the Senate.

"America's broadcasters commend the bipartisan co-sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act for standing with their hometown radio stations against a devastating performance royalty," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "For decades, free radio airplay has promoted performing artists and their music, launched the careers of countless performers, generated unparalleled revenue for record labels and served the millions of listeners who tune into their local radio stations every day. We appreciate the bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate who have voiced their support for preserving the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcast radio and the music industry."

"Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station broadcast over the air," reads the Local Radio Freedom Act.

In the 116th Congress, a similar resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate. The House resolution eventually gathered support of the majority of the House of Representatives. The Senate resolution garnered 28 co-sponsors.