# Plain Language Summary: Local Radio Freedom Act

This resolution expresses Congress's support for the "Local Radio Freedom Act," which is about protecting radio stations' ability to play music without having to pay extra fees to songwriters and music publishers. Right now, when a radio station plays a song on the air, they have to pay licensing fees to use that music. This resolution is saying that Congress thinks radio stations should be able to play music without these additional payments—or at least that the current system should be changed.

The main issue here is that radio broadcasters argue they're already paying significant fees for music rights, and they believe songwriters and publishers are getting paid through other channels like streaming services, downloads, and concerts. The resolution supports the idea that local radio stations, especially smaller ones, shouldn't have to pay extra performance royalties on top of what they already pay. This matters to everyday people because radio is still a major way many Americans listen to music for free, and if stations face higher costs, they might have fewer resources for local news, community programming, or hiring staff.

It's important to note that this is a concurrent resolution, which means it's expressing the opinion of Congress but doesn't actually change any laws. It's more of a statement of support that Congress is sending to encourage lawmakers to consider making actual legal changes to how music licensing works for radio stations. The music industry and artists' representatives typically oppose these efforts, arguing that songwriters deserve to be paid fairly whenever their work is performed, whether on radio or anywhere else.

A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act.

Barrasso, John

<p>This concurrent resolution declares 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 on any business for the public performance of sound recordings broadcast on a local radio station.</p>