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RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO PASS THE LOCAL RADIO FREEDOM ACT

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WHEREAS, concurrent resolutions have been filed in the U.S. Senate and House, Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 by Senator Blanche Lincoln (R � Arkansas) and House Concurrent Resolution 49 by Representative Gene Green (D � Texas), entitled the Local Radio Freedom Act and opposing the introduction of any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge on local radio stations; and
WHEREAS, the Local Radio Freedom Act is supported by the National Association of Broadcasters and counters legislation supported by the Recording Industry Association of America, entitled the Performance Rights Act, S. 379 by Senator Patrick Leahy (D � Vermont) and H.R. 848 by Representative John Conyers (D � Michigan), which would require local radio stations to pay a new fee for music played for listeners; and
WHEREAS, local radio stations currently provide free publicity and promotion to the recording industry and performers of music in the form of radio air play, interviews with performers, introduction of new performers, concert promotions, and publicity that promotes the sale of music, concert tickets, ring tones, music videos, and associated merchandise; and
WHEREAS, local radio broadcasters also provide tens of thousands of hours of local news and weather information, including news and weather during times of emergencies and natural disasters, as well as public affairs programming, sports, and hundreds of millions of dollars of time for public service announcements and local fundraising efforts for worthy charitable causes, all of which would be jeopardized if local radio stations are required to pay a new performance fee; and
WHEREAS, there are many thousands of local radio stations that will suffer severe economic hardship if a new performance fee is imposed, as will many other small businesses that play music including bars, restaurants, retail establishments, sports and other entertainment venues, shopping centers, and transportation facilities; and
WHEREAS, the hardship that would result from a new performance fee would hurt American businesses, and ultimately the American consumers who rely on local radio for news, weather, and entertainment, and such a performance fee is not justified when the current system has produced the most prolific and innovative broadcasting, music, and sound recording industries in the world,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges Congress to pass the Local Radio Freedom Act.
Section 2. Urges Congress to pass House Concurrent Resolution 49, Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 or similar legislation, opposing the introduction of any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge on local radio stations.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the two U.S. Senators that represent Florida and the members of the Miami-Dade County Congressional Delegation.
Section 4. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Sections 1 and 2 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2009 and 2010 Federal Legislative Packages.