American Music Fairness Act This bill establishes that the copyright holder of a sound recording shall have the exclusive right to perform the sound recording through an audio transmission and addresses other related issues. (Currently, the public performance right only covers performances through a digital audio transmission in certain instances, which means that nonsubscription terrestrial radio stations generally do not have to secure a license to publicly perform a copyright-protected sound recording.) Under the bill, a nonsubscription broadcast transmission must have a license to publicly perform such sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board must periodically determine the royalty rates for such a license. When determining the rates, the board must base its decision on certain information presented by the parties, including the radio stations' effect on other streams of revenue related to the sound recordings. Terrestrial broadcast stations (and the owners of such stations) that fall below certain revenue thresholds may pay certain flat fees, instead of the board-established rate, for a license to publicly perform copyright-protected sound recordings.
Sponsored bills
Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act This bill prohibits any federal agency from taking any action or extending any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of Russia's sovereignty over any internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, including its airspace and territorial waters.
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2022 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2022 This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements. Specifically, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda. The Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections. Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle. The bill also requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.
Ferry Service Expansion Act This bill revises and increases funding for grant programs related to ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities, including by making certain passenger ferries eligible and qualified vessels for capital construction funds.
César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park Act This bill establishes, as a unit of the National Park System, the César E. Chávez and the Farmworker Movement National Historical Park in California and Arizona. It also establishes the Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail in California. The boundary of the historical park shall include The Forty Acres in Delano, California; the César E. Chávez National Monument, including Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, in Keene, California; and the Santa Rita Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Department of the Interior may acquire land and interests in land that are within the boundary of the park by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. The César E. Chávez National Monument shall continue to be administered as a distinct and identifiable unit of the National Park System. Interior may provide public interpretation of historic sites, museums, and resources on land not administered by Interior related to the life of César E. Chávez and the history of the farmworker movement. Interior must prepare a general management plan for the park. The Farmworker Peregrinación National Historic Trail is added to the National Trails System. The federal government shall not acquire for the trail any land or interest in land outside the exterior boundary of any federally managed area without the owner's consent.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes funding for the National Park Foundation, which supports national parks through grants and programs. It increases the annual funding authorization from $5 million to $15 million and extends the funding period through 2030, replacing the previous 2023 end date. The key change is a significant funding boost and longer-term financial stability for the Foundation's operations. This directly affects the National Park Foundation and the national parks it assists, enabling continued support for park maintenance, education, and conservation projects. The bill makes no new policy changes beyond adjusting funding levels and duration.
National Service Animals Memorial Act This bill authorizes the National Service Animals Monument Corporation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia to commemorate the heroic deeds and sacrifices of service animals and handlers of service animals in the United States. The corporation shall be solely responsible for the acceptance of contributions for, and the payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work. The establishment of the commemorative work shall be in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act. Federal funds may not be used to pay any expenses for the establishment of the commemorative work.
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2022 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to highlight prostate cancer's impact, which affects millions of men in the U.S. as the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. It calls on the public, health organizations, and communities to promote awareness, support research for better screening and treatment, and improve access to care. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws, change funding, or mandate actions, but aims to encourage education and community engagement around prostate cancer prevention and early detection.
Maddy summarySRES 780 is a Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Workforce Development Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of workforce development programs. The resolution supports existing federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which helps workers gain skills through training, career pathways, and job placement services. It recognizes that these programs assist millions of people, including those with low incomes, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, by connecting them to employment opportunities.