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H.R. 5447 115th Congress House

Music Modernization Act

Official title: To modernize copyright law, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 25, 2018 See on congress.gov
Commerce Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCongressional agenciesCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
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Department of JusticeDigital mediaExecutive agency funding and structureFederal preemptionGovernment information and archivesIntellectual propertyLibrary of CongressLicensing and registrationsMusicSound recordingState and local government operationsUser charges and fees
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 26, 2018
Received in the Senate.
Apr 25, 2018
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 25, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 154). (text: CR H3522-3536)
Apr 25, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3560-3561)
Apr 25, 2018
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Apr 25, 2018
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5447.
Apr 25, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3522-3542)
Apr 25, 2018
Mr. Goodlatte moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 25, 2018
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 499.
Apr 25, 2018
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-651.
Apr 11, 2018
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 0.
Apr 11, 2018
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 10, 2018
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 10, 2018
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 25, 2018 House · vote #154 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 415–0 See who voted →
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 Latest action April 26, 2018

Received in the Senate.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Music Modernization Act

This bill makes various changes to copyright law related to sound recordings, including providing protection for sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, creating a system for paying royalties to producers and sound engineers, and establishing a statutory blanket license for digital music services. The blanket license allows music services to distribute sound recordings covered by the license without negotiating for the rights for each individual recording, as long as the music service complies with the license's requirements, such as paying the required royalties.

 Related & companion bills 8
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 37
All 37 Democratic 15 Republican 9
D
DeSaulnier, Mark
California · Apr 25, 2018
 R
Scalise, Steve
Louisiana · Apr 25, 2018
 R
Cramer, Kevin
North Dakota · Apr 24, 2018
DUNCAN, JOHN
· Apr 24, 2018
 D
Gomez, Jimmy
California · Apr 24, 2018
 R
Grothman, Glenn
Wisconsin · Apr 24, 2018
Hurd, Will
· Apr 24, 2018
 D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Apr 24, 2018
Brooks, Susan
· Apr 23, 2018
Buck, Ken
· Apr 23, 2018
 R
Estes, Ron
Kansas · Apr 23, 2018
Handel, Karen
· Apr 23, 2018
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Apr 23, 2018
McCarthy, Kevin
· Apr 23, 2018
 R
Rutherford, John H.
Florida · Apr 23, 2018
Yoho, Ted
· Apr 23, 2018
 R
Biggs, Andy
Arizona · Apr 10, 2018
 R
Blackburn, Marsha
Tennessee · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Chu, Judy
California · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Apr 10, 2018
Collins, Doug
· Apr 10, 2018
CROWLEY, JOSEPH
· Apr 10, 2018
 R
Issa, Darrell
California · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Jayapal, Pramila
Washington · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Jeffries, Hakeem S.
New York · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Johnson, Henry C. "Hank"
Georgia · Apr 10, 2018
 R
Johnson, Mike
Louisiana · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Lieu, Ted
California · Apr 10, 2018
Marino, Tom
· Apr 10, 2018
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Raskin, Jamie
Maryland · Apr 10, 2018
Roby, Martha
· Apr 10, 2018
Rooney, Thomas
· Apr 10, 2018
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Schneider, Bradley Scott
Illinois · Apr 10, 2018
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Apr 10, 2018
SMITH, LAMAR
· Apr 10, 2018
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5447: Music Modernization Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5447/
MLA
"H.R. 5447: Music Modernization Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5447/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5447, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5447/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5447: Music Modernization Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5447/)
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