The Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes imposition of a new performance royalty on AM and FM radio stations, has six more co-sponsors in the US House of Representatives, including one very significant addition to the list.
The primary “get” for the measure is Fred Upton (R-MI), who has considerable sway over communications matters on the Hill. He is the Chairman of the Commerce and Energy Committee, and a former top Republican on the Communications Subcommittee.
His support adds agenda-setting muscle to the list of co-sponsors.
Joining Upton are Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-1), Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Ralph Hall (TX-4), David Scott (GA-13) and Randy Weber (TX-14).
The key passage in the act is this: “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.”
177 members of the House and 12 members of the Senate have indicated their support for the bill.
