Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 May 2026): Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
What this bill does
This bill, H.R. 8994, would permit certain individual music creators to collectively bargain with large online music platforms and companies developing generative artificial intelligence. These creators, who own copyrights for recordings and meet specific revenue or small business criteria, could negotiate licensing terms together. They would also gain the right to collectively refuse to license their music to these entities. The bill defines "dominant online music distribution platforms" as interactive services with over $100 million in annual music distribution revenue and "generative artificial intelligence" as AI capable of creating new media.
The bill affects individual musicians, producers, and technicians who own copyrights for recordings and earned less than $1 million in the previous year, or qualify as small record production and distribution businesses. It also impacts dominant online music distribution platforms with music revenue exceeding $100 million annually and companies involved in developing or deploying generative artificial intelligence. This legislation is currently in the House of Representatives, having been introduced and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026
This bill allows certain individual music creator owners to collectively negotiate music licensing terms with dominant online music distribution platforms or companies engaged in development or deployment of generative artificial intelligence, including the right to collectively refuse to license their music to such platforms or companies.
Individual music creator owners include musicians, producers, and technicians who own the copyright to a recording and either (1) earned less than $1 million in associated revenues during the prior year, or (2) qualify as a record production and distribution small business.
Dominant online music distribution platforms include interactive online services with annual revenues from music distribution of more than $100 million. Generative artificial intelligence includes artificial intelligence systems that are capable of producing novel text, video, images, audio, and other media based on prompts or other forms of inputted data.
Timeline
21 May 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8994 do?
- This bill, H.R. 8994, would permit certain individual music creators to collectively bargain with large online music platforms and companies developing generative artificial intelligence. These creators, who own copyrights for recordings and meet specific revenue or small business criteria, could negotiate licensing terms together. They would also gain the right to collectively refuse to license their music to these entities. The bill defines "dominant online music distribution platforms" as interactive services with over $100 million in annual music distribution revenue and "generative artificial intelligence" as AI capable of creating new media. The bill affects individual musicians, producers, and technicians who own copyrights for recordings and earned less than $1 million in the previous year, or qualify as small record production and distribution businesses. It also impacts dominant online music distribution platforms with music revenue exceeding $100 million annually and companies involved in developing or deploying generative artificial intelligence. This legislation is currently in the House of Representatives, having been introduced and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Has H.R. 8994 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 8994. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8994?
- H.R. 8994 was sponsored by Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8994?
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (21 May 2026).
Related bills in Commerce
Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act
Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act of 2026
Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act of 2026
Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2026
More bills from Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026
Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act
Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act
AI Flaw Reporting and Security Enhancement Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.