Every photographer needs to be aware of two events that are occurring on Capitol Hill next week.
On Wednesday, March 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Professional Photographers of America will testify before the House Intellectual Property Subcommittee. PPA CEO David Trust will be speaking out against a recent Copyright Office proposal on "orphan works" that would destroy the value of thousands of professional images if Congress adopts the legislation without making significant changes.
You can watch PPA's testimony live online here: http://judiciary.house.gov/schedule.aspx
For more details on the Copyright Office's proposal and the reasons for our opposition go to: http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=543
On Wednesday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m., one of PPA's lobbying teams will be attend the hearing addressing the Senate Health Committee mark-up and vote on S. 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act. This legislation would allow photographers and other independent business owners to band together across state lines to purchase health insurance.
For years, PPA and other associations have been able to secure passage of similar legislation in the House, only to see it die in the Senate. Wednesday's committee mark-up and vote on S. 1955 represents our best opportunity to move this bill out of committee and to have it considered by the full Senate.
In addition to having lobbyists at the hearing, PPA will also be sending a separate e-mail notice to members in the 19 states represented on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee asking them to contact that particular senator in support of this legislation.
If you have questions regarding these events, or PPA's lobbying efforts in general, please contact smorris@ppa.com or djones@ppa.com.
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