Local Radio Freedom Act Gains Support

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Local Radio Freedom Act, introduced in late October by Reps. Gene Green (D-TX) and Mike Conaway (R-TX), is now backed by 148 members of the House of Representatives.

"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 House Concurrent Resolution 244.

The growing chorus of lawmakers opposing a "performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio was announced one day after the Grammy Awards, where Alicia Keys thanked radio stations during her acceptance speech for Best Female R&B Performance.

"I have to thank... every DJ, every radio guy, every promotions guy, everybody who ever put up a poster for me and spread the word," Keys said. Keys was accepting an award for her chart-topping hit, 'No One,' which received significant airplay on local radio stations across the country.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is backing legislation that would require America's hometown broadcasters to compensate the foreign-owned record labels for radio airplay of music. The House version of the RIAA-backed bill was introduced by Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA). Companion legislation has been offered in the Senate by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

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