Legislative Updates
Supporting Local Radio Freedom Act
NRB Position: Supports
Sponsor: Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) & Sen. Blanch Lincoln (D-AR)
House Resolution (H.Con.Res.49) – 253 Co-sponsors
Senate Resolution (S.Con.Res.14) – 26 Co-sponsors
Brief Description: Resolved that 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 any business for such public performance of sound recordings. This resolution counters the Performance Rights Act.
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2009
NRB Position: Opposes
Sponsor: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
House Bill (H.R. 2981/3017) – 197 Co-sponsors
Senate Bill (S. 1584) – 44 Co-sponsors
Brief Description: A bill to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Performance Rights Act
NRB Position: Opposes
Sponsor: Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) & Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
House Bill (H.R. 848) – 46 Co-sponsors
Senate Bill (S. 379) – 6 Co-sponsors
Brief Description: A bill to provide compensation to “performers” for use of their sound recordings on broadcast radio. But record labels would receive at least a 50% cut.
Local Community Radio Act
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Doyle (D-PA) & Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
House Bill (H.R. 1147) – 86 Co-sponsors
Senate Bill (S. 592) – 7 Co-sponsors
Brief Description: This bill implements FCC recommendations taking away third adjacent channels protections to the benefit of Low Power FM (LPFM) radio. PASSED in HOUSE by Voice Vote 12/16/09. Action is pending in the Senate.
Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009
NRB Position: Supports
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
House Bill (H.R. 226) – 183 Co-sponsors
Senate Bill (S. 34) – 31 Co-sponsors
Brief Description: A bill to prevent the FCC from re-promulgating the Fairness Doctrine.
