Senator Lamar Alexander on Thursday said “help is on the way for Tennessee songwriters” after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would help ensure songwriters in Tennessee – and across the country – are paid fair market value for their work.
“We’re in the age of the Internet, and the laws governing what songwriters are paid are from the age of the player piano, but help is on the way for Tennessee songwriters – today, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Music Modernization Act, which means songwriters in Tennessee and across the country are one step closer to being paid fair market value for their work,” Senator Alexander said.
"Senator Orrin Hatch and Chairman Chuck Grassley were crucial in getting this legislation through the committee, and I’m grateful for their leadership. The bipartisan legislation I cosponsored addresses two of the greatest challenges facing songwriters: One is that the arrival of the Internet has meant that many songwriters aren’t paid royalties when their songs are played, and two, when they are paid, they aren’t paid a fair market value for their songs. Our bill is also the first major bill that has the support of music creators, publishers and digital music companies. The House passed their legislation in April, and today, the Senate committee has done its part – now, the full Senate must pass this bill so it will be closer to becoming law this year."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Music Modernization Act by a vote of 415-0 on April 25. Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the legislation, which now must be considered by the full Senate.
Senator Alexander joined Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who introduced the Music Modernization Act on May 10th. The legislation has 31 bipartisan cosponsors.