Local Radio Freedom Act to Get Congressional Attention

The National Association of Broadcasters expressed its strong support for a bipartisan resolution opposing "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local broadcast radio stations that has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and will be introduced in the House of Representatives later tonight with more than 90 co-sponsors.

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.

"For decades, local radio airplay has jumpstarted and sustained the careers of countless musicians and record label moguls," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "Local radio's unparalleled promotional value drives increased record and merchandise sales and sells out concert venues. NAB applauds lawmakers for standing with hometown broadcasters in opposing a job-killing performance royalty that would damage the No. 1 platform for exposing new music."

Gordon Smith

Reps. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) are the principal sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act in the House of Representatives, which has bipartisan co-sponsorship from more than 90 Members of Congress. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) are the co-sponsors of the bipartisan resolution in Senate.

"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 such public performance of sound recordings," reads the Local Radio Freedom Act.

Introduction of the LRFA comes as 600 radio and television broadcasters from across the country are visiting Washington for the NAB State Leadership Conference. Local broadcasters will meet with Members of Congress from their state to discuss legislative priorities such as their opposition to a performance royalty.