Overview
- Simmons testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, calling decades of unpaid radio airplay for performers an injustice.
- The bill would align broadcast radio with streaming and satellite by creating a federal performance right for recordings, and supporters cite roughly $13.6–14 billion in radio ad revenue and the U.S. standing as an international outlier.
- To protect small stations, outlets under $1.5 million in annual revenue with parent companies under $10 million would pay a flat fee of about $500 per year, with lower rates for noncommercial stations.
- Broadcast groups, including the National Association of Broadcasters, and witness Henry Hinton opposed the measure, warning new fees could cost jobs and reduce local programming.
- Backers include SoundExchange, major artist and union coalitions, and 18 conservative policy groups, yet the measure remains in committee as the Local Radio Freedom Act counts 25 Senate and 215 House co-sponsors opposing new performance royalties.