Sens. Blanche Lincoln (AR) and John Barrasso (WY) introduced The Local Radio Freedom Act, S. Con. Res. 14 last week. The resolution, which opposes the introduction of "any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge" on local radio stations, mirrors a House Resolution supported by 158 lawmakers and comes as roughly 500 local broadcasters gather in Washington, D.C., for the annual NAB State Leadership Conference. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK) has also voiced her support for the Local Radio Freedom Act by signing on as an original cosponsor.

"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 such public performance of sound recordings," reads S. Con. Res. 14.

The Local Radio Freedom Act counters legislation supported by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which would levy a new fee on local radio stations for music aired free to listeners. At least 50 percent of the proceeds from the new fee would go directly into the coffers of the record labels, three of four of which are based outside the U.S.

"Broadcasters appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Sens. Lincoln and Barrasso on an issue of critical importance to the survival of free, local radio," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. "A performance tax would threaten thousands of American jobs, reduce music diversity, and hamstring a new artist's ability to reach radio's 234 million weekly listeners. RIAA's attempted money-grab would decimate a radio business reeling from the worst advertising recession in decades."

Last week, approximately 500 local radio and television broadcasters will gather in Washington, D.C., for the NAB State Leadership Conference. The annual event brings local broadcasters to the Washington to meet with elected officials and discuss issues impacting local radio and TV stations. Protecting local radio stations from the RIAA-sought fee has been identified as the number one priority of the NAB Radio Board of Directors.

Earlier this year, an identical House resolution was introduced by Reps. Gene Green (TX-29) and Mike Conaway (TX-11). The resolution already enjoys the support of 158 lawmakers.