Bipartisan Coalition Voices Support for Pro-Local Radio Resolution

Bipartisan Coalition Voices Support for Pro-Local Radio Resolution WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-four Members of the House of Representatives signed on as original co-sponsors of a bipartisan resolution that opposes any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge on local broadcast radio stations that was introduced in Congress yesterday. The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) signals Members of Congresss opposition to any potential legislation that would impose new performance royalties on broadcast radio stations for music airplay.

Reps. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Gene Green (D-TX) are the principal sponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 17) in the House of Representatives. Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) are the principal sponsors of the companion resolution (S. Con. Res. 4) in the Senate that was introduced yesterday.

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.

The 94 House cosponsors of the Local Radio Freedom Act include:

Ralph Abraham (LA-5)

Joe Barton (TX-6)

Dan Benishek (MI-1)

Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

Sanford Bishop (GA-2)

G.K. Butterfield (NC-1)

Bradley Byrne (AL-1)

Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Michael Capuano (MA-7)

Steve Chabot (OH-1)

Mike Coffman (CO-6)

Tom Cole (OK-4)

Chris Collins (NY-27)

Michael Conaway (TX-11)

Paul Cook (CA-8)

Joe Courtb ney (CT-2)

Kevin Cramer (ND-AL)

Rick Crawford (AR-1)

Ander Crenshaw (FL-4)

Rodney Davis (IL-13)

Charles Dent (PA-15)

John Duncan (TN-2)

Renee Ellmers (NC-2)

Blake Farenthold (TX-27)

Michael Fitzpatrick (PA-8)

Bill Flores (TX-17)

Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1)

Virginia Foxx (NC-5)

Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11)

Bob Gibbs (OH-7)

Christopher Gibson (NY-19)

Paul Gosar (AZ-4)

Kay Granger (TX-12)

Gene Green (TX-29)

Andy Harris (MD-1)

Vicky Hartzler (MO-4)

Alcee Hastings (FL-20)

Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15)

Richard Hudson (NC-8)

Randy Hultgren (IL-14)

Will Hurd (TX-23)

Robert Hurt (VA-5)

David Jolly (FL-13)

Jim Jordan (OH-4)

David Joyce (OH-14)

Marcy Kaptur (OH-9)

William Keating (MA-9)

Ron Kind (WI-3)

Adam Kinzinger (IL-16)

John Kline (MN-2)

Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2)

Doug LaMalfa (CA-1)

Leonard Lance (NJ-7)

David Loebsack (IA-2)

Billy Long (MO-7)

Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3)

Stephen Lynch (MA-8)

Thomas Massie (KY-4)

David McKinley (WV-1)

Luke Messer (IN-6)

Markwayne Mullin (OK-2)

Mick Mulvaney (SC-5)

Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)

Robert Pittenger (NC-9)

Ted Poe (TX-2)

Mike Pompeo (KS-4)

Charles Rangel (NY-13)

James Renacci (OH-16)

Harold Rogers (KY-5)

Mike Rogers (AL-3)

Todd Rokita (IN-4)

Peter Roskam (IL-6)

Dennis Ross (FL-15)

Edward Royce (CA-39)

Paul Ryan (WI-1)

Tim Ryan (OH-13)

Matt Salmon (AZ-5)

John Sarbanes (MD-3)

Kurt Schrader (OR-5)

David Scott (GA-13)

Pete Sessions (TX-32)

Glenn Thompson (PA-5)

Patrick Tiberi (OH-12)

Michael Turner (OH-10)

Marc Veasey (TX-33)

Peter Visclosky (IN-1)

Tim Walberg (MI-7)

Greg Walden (OR-2)

Ed Whitfield (KY-1)

Frederica Wilson (FL-24)

Joe Wilson (SC-2)

Steve Womack (AR-3)

Kevin Yoder (KS-3)

Don Young (AK-AL)

The following quote can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith regarding the resolution:

For decades, local radio airplay has jumpstarted and sustained the careers of countless musicians and record label moguls. Local radios 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.

About NAB

The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for Americas broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

LINK:	http://www.nab.org/documents/newsRoom/pressRelease.asp?id=3593...
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