"Local Radio Freedom Act" 

Reps. Gene Green (TX-29) and Mike Conaway (TX-11) have just reintroduced the "Local Radio Freedom Act" in support of the radio broadcast industry. Including Reps. Green and Conaway, H. Con. Res. 49 has 109 members of the House of Representatives signed on as original cosponsors, reflecting strong bipartisan support in the House. The resolution was introduced this year with twice as many original cosponsors than last Congress and with more than one half of the members necessary to achieve a majority of the House. 

H. Con. Res. 49 recognizes both the significance of radio and the important role radio broadcasters play in their local communities. Additionally, it expresses opposition to the creation of a new fee or "performance tax" on local radio stations.

The effort in the House is well under way. NAB has engaged the radio grassroots, the State Association Executives and the NAB Radio Board for support and outreach to Congress.  We will continue with our aggressive efforts to grow support for the resolution and to combat the recording industry effort to undermine local radio broadcasters. 

In conjunction with the bill's introduction, the Free Radio Alliance is hosting an event on Capitol Hill called "Rock Out with Kane and Free Radio." This event has just started and will serve as a strong launch for the radio industry efforts to fight the record labels. The introduction of H. Con. Res. 49 is being announced momentarily by Reps. Green and Conaway. Additional speakers, including morning show personality Kane and Randy Hawke with Midwest Family Broadcasting, are here to speak on behalf on the industry as well. This event is well-attended by congressional staff as well as reporters.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Robin Oxford at ROxford@nab.org or Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Kelly Cole kcole@nab.org.