American Music Fairness Act

Senate Bill

S. 326

119th Congress

American Music Fairness Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 30, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Marsha Blackburn

R - TN

Cosponsors

5

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Commerce

Summary

The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenue streams. Small stations below revenue thresholds can pay flat fees instead of percentage-based royalties.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Introduced1/30/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

ChamberSenate

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Vote Prediction

American Music Fairness Act

The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenu

Community Breakdown

Pass

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Fail

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0 predictions

The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenue streams. Small stations below revenue thresholds can pay flat fees instead of percentage-based royalties.

Bill Number: 326
Introduced: 1/30/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Policy Area: Commerce

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: American Music Fairness Act
Bill Number: 326
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced: 1/30/2025
Summary: The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenue streams. Small stations below revenue

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The American Music Fairness Act requires terrestrial AM/FM radio stations to pay royalties for broadcasting sound recordings, like streaming and satellite services already do. The Copyright Royalty Board will set rates considering radios effect on other revenue streams. Small stations below revenue thresholds can pay flat fees instead of percentage-based royalties.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

American Music Fairness Act This bill establishes that the copyright holder of a sound recording shall have the exclusive right to perform the sound recording through an audio transmission. (Currently, the public performance right only covers performances through a digital audio transmission in certain instances, which means that nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to get a license to publicly perform a copyright-protected sound recording.) Under the bill, a nonsubscription broadcast transmission must have a license to publicly perform such sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board must periodically determine the royalty rates for such a license. When determining the rates, the board must base its decision on certain information presented by the parties, including the radio stations' effect on other streams of revenue related to the sound recordings. Terrestrial broadcast stations (and the owners of such stations) that fall below certain revenue thresholds may pay certain flat fees, instead of the board-established rate, for a license to publicly perform copyright-protected sound recordings.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires radio stations to pay sound recording royalties
Extends public performance rights to terrestrial radio
Copyright Royalty Board sets rates
Small station flat fee option available
Creates parity with digital streaming services
Benefits recording artists and labels

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Currently, AM/FM radio pays composers and publishers but not recording artists or labels for playing their music—unlike streaming services that pay both. This bill would require terrestrial radio to compensate performers and record labels. The music industry argues this is basic fairness; radio broadcasters contend they provide valuable promotion that drives music sales. The tiered structure protects small and community stations from excessive costs.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Commerce

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

326, 119th Congress (2025). "American Music Fairness Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-326

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