Legislation creators need to know about

The Help Independent Artists Succeed (HITS) Act would allow individual musicians, technicians, and producers to expense recording production costs the year they are incurred, up to $150,000, instead of amortized over several years as the law currently requires. The HITS Act was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and in the House by Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Ron Estes (R-KS).

The Protect Working Musicians Act would allow independent musicians to negotiate collectively with streaming platforms to determine terms and rates for their music. The Protecting Working Musicians Act was introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) in 2021 and is currently under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.

The Strengthening Measures to Advance Rights Technologies (SMART) Copyright Act of 2022 would hold tech platforms accountable for copyright piracy by encouraging them to adopt technical measures to combat stealing and facilitate the sharing of critical copyright data. The SMART Copyright Act was introduced by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in March 2022.

The Promoting Peace, Education, and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) through Music Diplomacy Act would direct the State Department to leverage partnerships with the private sector to facilitate music-related exchange programs, including those focused on conflict resolution, with other countries. The PEACE through Music Diplomacy Act was introduced in the House in January 2022 by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) and in the Senate in May 2022 by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).