Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9188)
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 16, 1999
National Recording Preservation Act of 1999 - Title I: Recording Preservation by the Library of Congress - Subtitle A: National Recording Registry - Requires the Librarian of Congress to: (1) establish the National Recording Registry for the purpose of maintaining and preserving recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant; (2) establish criteria and procedures under which recordings may be included in the Registry, except that no recording shall be eligible for such inclusion until ten years after its creation; (3) establish procedures for general public recommendations to the National Recording Preservation Board (established under this Act) regarding the inclusion of recordings in the Registry; and (3) determine which recordings meet the established criteria and select them for inclusion, up to a maximum of 25 recordings or groups of recordings each year.(Sec. 103) Requires the Librarian to provide a seal to indicate that a selected recording has been included in the Registry and is the Registry version of that recording. Requires the Librarian to establish guidelines for approval of the use of the seal. Specifies prohibited uses, as well as remedies for violation of such prohibitions, including a civil fine and injunctive relief.(Sec. 104) Requires copies of such recordings on the Registry and other materials received under this Act to be maintained in the Library of Congress as the National Recording Registry Collection of the Library of Congress. Requires the Librarian to provide for reasonable access to the recordings and other material in the collection for scholarly and research purposes.Subtitle B: National Recording Preservation Program - Requires the Librarian to: (1) implement a comprehensive national recording preservation program, in conjunction with other recording archivists, educators and historians, copyright owners, recording industry representatives, and others involved in activities related to recording preservation, and taking into account studies conducted by the Board; and (2) carry out activities to make sound recordings more accessible for research and educational purposes, and to generate public awareness and support of the Registry and such program.Subtitle C: National Recording Preservation Board - Requires the Librarian to establish in the Library of Congress a National Recording Preservation Board to: (1) review nominations of recordings for inclusion in the Registry; and (2) advise the Librarian with respect to the inclusion and the preservation of these and other recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.(Sec. 124) Requires the Board to study and report on the current state of Library of Congress sound recording archiving, preservation, and restoration activities, taking into account the research and other activities carried out by or on behalf of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center at Culpeper, Virginia.Subtitle D: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations.Title II: National Recording Preservation Foundation - Grants a Federal charter to the National Recording Preservation Foundation (a charitable and nonprofit corporation that is not a Federal Government agency or establishment).(Sec. 201) Authorizes the Librarian to: (1) provide, on a reimbursable basis, personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the corporation; and (2) accept the services of the corporation and its directors, officers, and employees as volunteers in performing functions authorized under this Act, without compensation from the Library of Congress.Authorizes appropriations in an amount equal to private donations to the corporation, for reimbursement of the Library for such personnel, facilities, and other administrative services. Bars the use of such funds for the corporation's own administrative expenses, including salaries, travel, transportation, and overhead expenses.
Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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