House Approves Bill To Preserve Recordings

The House of Representatives on July 25 passed the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, landmark legislation that would establish the first nationwide effort to preserve American sound recordings and would create a National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress here.

The House-approved legislation, H.R. 4846, would also authorize appropriations to the library of up to $250,000 annually to carry out the program, which will identify and preserve culturally, aesthetically, or historically important recordings. The bill would also create a private-sector foundation to encourage and administer gifts from the public and promote accessibility to the 2.25 million recorded heritage items held at the library.

Michael Greene, president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), has been the driving force in getting the bill introduced.

The House bill is co-sponsored by Reps. William M. Thomas, R-Calif., and Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md. The Senate companion bill, S. 1927, was introduced last session by Sen. John B. Breaux, D-La. Insiders say the House approval will probably result in smooth sailing for the Senate bill. The question is when: The Senate's schedule is full, and with the August recess, Congress does not return to session until September.

If passed, the legislation will follow the successful National Film Preservation Act, enacted in 1988 to preserve the U.S.' disappearing film heritage.

The new legislation, nicknamed "the Grammy bill," also calls for the establishment of a National Recording Preservation Board to assist the librarian of Congress in choosing recordings to be included.

The board will include NARAS officials, recording artists, members of Congress, experts in audio preservation, and other representatives of the music industry. Nominations of recordings from the public, as well as industry and archive representatives, will also be