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) – 261 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.
Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act (DISCLOSE Act)
NRB Position: Opposes
Sponsor: Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) & Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
House Bill (H.R. 5175) – 114 Co-sponsors
Senate Bill (S. 3295) – 49 Co-sponsors
Brief Description: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, includes first amendment concerns regarding election campaigns. This legislation is a result of a Democratic push to override the recent Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. PASSED in HOUSE by 219-206. The Senate version is slightly different, including a section which would instruct broadcasters on how much they are allowed to bill for political advertisements. The Senate is expected to take up this bill before the August recess.
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) – 52 Co-sponsors
Senate Bill (S. 379) – 7 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) – 8 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.
