Bill · H.R. 5664· House(119-HR-5664)
Living Wage for Musicians Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/30/2025
- Last activity
- 9/30/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Rashida Tlaib
- Cosponsors
- - 7 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Living Wage for Musicians Act of 2025," seeks to establish the Artist Compensation Royalty Fund. The Register of Copyrights will designate an eligible entity to manage and administer this fund. Service providers must pay into the fund using a specific royalty fee and a percentage of their non-subscription revenue. The funds are then distributed to eligible featured artists and non-featured artists. This legislation aims to ensure musical creators receive specific compensation from those providing streaming services.
Yes
Would union members be better off under this?+6
The bill directs a portion of the fund to union-affiliated distribution funds for non-featured artists.
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?+5
The bill imposes new revenue and fee obligations on digital music service providers.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The bill requires service providers to include a specific line item for the royalty fee on consumer statements.
The opposite
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?-3
The bill mandates an additional mandatory fee on consumer subscription services.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-2
The bill increases the monthly cost of music subscription services for end users.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?-2
The bill increases the monthly cost of music subscription services for end users.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Payments to Featured Artists: 90 percent of the fund's amounts are allocated for payments to eligible featured artists based on their percentage of qualifying streams (Section 3(a)(1)(A) and Section 3(a)(2)(A)).
-
Payments to Non-Featured Artists: 10 percent of the fund's amounts are allocated for payments to eligible non-featured artists, such as session musicians and back-up vocalists, distributed through specific funds (Section 3(a)(1)(B) and Section 3(a)(2)(B)).
-
Revenue from Non-Subscription Sources: Service providers must contribute 10 percent of any non-subscription revenue received into the fund (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Costs for Subscribers: Service providers are required to charge each person paying a subscription fee an additional "living wage royalty fee" equal to 50 percent of their current subscription fee, with the amount being no less than $4 and no more than $10 (Section 4(a)).
-
Additional Fees for End Users: End users will see a specific line item on their statements or receipts for this additional fee (Section 4(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+6Good For Low Income Households-2Good For Middle Class Households-2
- 1/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/30/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi