Reps. Gene Greene (D-TX) and K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) have reintroduced the anti-"performance royalty" Local Radio Freedom Act into the House. The bipartisan legislation opposes any new fees, taxes or royalties on local radio stations' music, and has been signed by 71 members of Congress.

In a statement, the two Congressmen said, "The recording industry has lobbied for a new 'performance tax,' which would require local radio stations to pay a fee for each song they play on air. Local radio already provides free advertising and promotion for the recording industry, and these fees could put the future of these stations in jeopardy."
 
Green added, "I'm glad to join Mr. Conaway and many of our colleagues again in introducing this important resolution to preserve free over-the-air broadcast. Radio provides a great service to people, no matter their income, age, or education, and it's an important part of maintaining an informed and engaged society. We can't introduce a new system of fees that will cut people’s access to public safety information, news, weather, or entertainment."
 
Conaway says, "Communities rely on their local radio stations for news, weather alerts and other emergency broadcasts, and the suggested performance tax could jeopardize the future of many of these struggling stations. I'm pleased so many of my House colleagues have joined with me in supporting local radio stations and listeners while pushing back against punitive fees."
 
The resolution is identical to H. Con. Res. 21, which the two Reps had previously introduced in February of 2011. That version of the legislation was signed by 179 members.