This concurrent resolution, titled "Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act," says that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge for the public performance of sound recordings by local radio stations or businesses that play music over the air. The resolution lists reasons for this position, including the long-running relationship between radio broadcasters and the recording industry, the promotional role of radio for musicians, and the local public services radio provides.
The resolution asks lawmakers to oppose new charges on local radio stations and other businesses that play recorded music. According to the resolution, keeping no new fee would preserve free radio airplay that promotes recordings and performers, and would avoid diverting station revenue away from local news, weather, emergency information, public affairs, sports, and community service announcements. The resolution also states that many local stations and small businesses that play music could face hardship if a new fee were imposed.
This document is a concurrent resolution expressing a position; the text does not create a new program or authorize spending. No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects is included in the resolution text.
Supporters in the resolution say the broadcasting and recording industries have a long, mutually beneficial relationship. They say local radio provides free publicity and promotion for recordings and performers, introduces new artists, and supports sales of music and related products. The resolution also states that local radio supplies essential local news, weather, emergency information, public service announcements, and community fundraising, and that imposing a new performance fee would jeopardize those services and cause economic hardship for many stations and small businesses.
No publicly available information on opponents' views is included in the resolution text.