Womack, Castor Reintroduce Local Radio Freedom Act

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 2:45pm CT

U.S. Congress

In a significant show of bipartisan support, Representatives Steve Womack (R-AR-3) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) led the reintroduction of the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) on Thursday, which aims to shield local radio stations from potentially burdensome performance fees. This resolution, which has garnered backing from over 100 initial co-sponsors, is a continued effort from Congress to affirm its longstanding support for the essential services provided by local radio to communities nationwide.

"The Local Radio Freedom Act opposes charges that could threaten the viability of these local businesses that many people rely on," stated Congressman Womack. He emphasized the critical role local radio plays in everyday American lives, providing not just entertainment and news, but serving as a crucial lifeline during emergencies.

Echoing this sentiment, Congresswoman Castor highlighted the particular importance of radio in providing timely updates during crises, such as severe weather conditions in Florida. "The radio is a top, trusted choice for receiving local news, weather alerts, traffic updates, community opportunities, and so much more," she remarked, underscoring the essential nature of local broadcast services.

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt expressed gratitude towards the congressional leaders for their initiative. "Imposing a new performance fee on top of the hundreds of millions that local stations already pay in copyright and streaming fees would severely hinder our ability to provide these free and essential services to our listeners," LeGeyt said.

The resolution comes as a response to continued pressures from the global recording industry, which seeks to impose new, one-sided performance fees on U.S. radio stations. Such fees could significantly affect the economic sustainability of locally owned radio stations, potentially reducing the breadth of services they can offer to the public.

With its reintroduction, the Local Radio Freedom Act reinforces the notion that Congress should not impose any new financial burdens on broadcasters, thus ensuring that local radio remains a vital resource for millions of Americans.