Contact Congress about H.R. 861: American Music Fairness Act of 2025

This bill closes a long-standing gap in copyright law by requiring traditional radio stations to pay performance royalties to recording artists and labels. Small stations would pay as little as $10 a year, and songwriters' existing pay would be protected.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

American Music Fairness Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Latest action on H.R. 861: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Who this affects: This bill touches everyone involved in making and broadcasting music in the United States. Recording artists and session musicians would gain a new income stream from traditional radio airplay. Radio stations — from large commercial broadcasters to small community stations — would face new costs, though the smallest stations are shielded by very low flat fees. Record labels would collect new revenue but also face changes in how direct licensing deals work.

Why this matters: The United States is one of the few developed countries where traditional radio stations don't pay recording artists for playing their music. This creates an uneven playing field: streaming services and satellite radio pay both songwriters and performers, while AM/FM radio only pays songwriters. This bill would bring the U.S. in line with international standards and could meaningfully increase income for musicians — especially session players and backup artists who often struggle financially.

Key provisions in H.R. 861

• Extends the performance right for sound recordings to all audio transmissions — not just digital — so AM/FM radio stations would have to pay royalties for playing recorded music.
• Directs Copyright Royalty Judges to start a rate-setting process as soon as possible to determine royalty rates for traditional broadcast radio, with initial rates effective through December 31, 2028, and new proceedings every five years.
• No royalty payments are due until the Copyright Royalty Judges officially set rates for broadcast radio under the new process.
• Sets flat annual royalty fees for qualifying small radio stations: $10/year for stations under $100,000 in revenue, $100/year for public stations between $100,000 and $1.5 million, and $500/year for non-public stations in that same range.
• To qualify for small-station rates, a station must earn under $1.5 million and its ownership group must earn under $10 million total, with annual written certification required.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 861

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 861

What is H.R. 861?

This bill closes a long-standing gap in copyright law by requiring traditional radio stations to pay performance royalties to recording artists and labels. Small stations would pay as little as $10 a year, and songwriters' existing pay would be protected.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 861?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 861?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 861 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.