Throughout 2025, the Recording Academy continued to expand its advocacy workto support music creators at the state and local level. With its members mobilizing across 45 states and in Washington, D.C., the Academy pushed forward policies that strengthened protections for music creators and supported the broader music ecosystem through coordinated grassroots advocacy, powerful public testimony, and local member engagement. Here are three key ways the Recording Academy's state and local advocacy initiatives pushed music advocacy forward.

Grassroots Advocacy Begins At Home

Local advocacy days at state capitols continue to be the cornerstone of the Recording Academy's state-level advocacy work. The Academy led six State Advocacy Days in 2025, with members participating in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, California, Louisiana, and New York. Championing key issues from tax incentives for music to protections for creative expression to artificial intelligence (AI) safeguards, Academy members mobilized nationwide to support music creators and fight for a sustainable creative economy.

Our work in state houses began with Texas Music Advocacy Day last February. Nearly two dozen Recording Academy members from the Texas Chaptermet with state legislators in Austin to emphasize music's economic impact and advocate for SB 1960, legislation designed to protect Texas creators from unauthorized digital replicas. The day concluded with formal resolutions adopted by both legislative chambers recognizing Feb. 18 as Texas Music Advocacy Day. SB 1960 passed the State Senate in April and advanced to the House before the close of the 2025 legislative session.

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Last April, the Recording Academy's Los Angelesand San Francisco Chaptersjoined forces in Sacramento for California Arts Advocacy Day. Academy Members met with lawmakers to highlight ticketing issues affecting musicians and fans statewide and to urge reform to combat deceptive and predatory ticketing practices.

Recording Academy members in Louisiana traveled to Baton Rouge last May to engage with state lawmakers. During the visit, both chambers of the Louisiana legislature formally declared May 27 as Louisiana Music Advocacy Day, recognizing the state's musical heritage and the importance of its continued industry growth. Advocates met with state lawmakers to champion HB 653, a bill to strengthen Louisiana's sound recording tax credit program. The bill, which had already passed the House, cleared the Senate shortly after Music Advocacy Day. The Academy looks forward to working with legislators to reintroduce the legislation in the next session and see it signed into law.

Last June, New York Chaptermembers visited Albany to advocate for AB123, which would safeguard creative freedom by protecting artistic works from being introduced as evidence in court unless deemed directly relevant and admissible. The bill cleared the State Senate last March and advanced to the Assembly before the session ended. The Academy remains committed to advancing this bill in New York in 2026 and enacting similar protections in states across the country.

Key State-Level Advocacy Efforts In 2025

Testifying Is The Key To Progress

Beyond grassroots activations at state capitols, the Recording Academy regularly delivered expert testimony to state lawmakers on behalf of the music community and its creators throughout 2025. Academy members and staff were increasingly called upon to testify - both in person and virtually - and deliver written and oral testimony in eight jurisdictions: California, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Louisiana, New Mexico, Washington, and the District of Columbia. This new front in our advocacy work resulted in several key wins.

Last February, the Recording Academy submitted written testimony opposing SB 5676, a harmful ticketing proposal in the state of Washington that would hurt artists and fans. The Academy warned that the bill would hinder anti-scalping efforts and impose costly mandates on smaller venues. Numerous arts and live performance organizations voiced similar concerns, and the bill ultimately failed to advance, resulting in a meaningful win for artists, fans, and independent venues across the state.

Last March, the Recording Academy's Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer Todd Duplervirtually testified before the Georgia House Creative Arts and Entertainment Committee in support of HB 566, a state bill to protect individuals from the misuse of AI to mimic their voice and likeness. Georgia, like Texas, was one of many states exploring AI safeguards for individuals following successful laws passed in Tennessee, California, and Illinois.

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Advocacy: In Action & Elevated

Throughout 2025, the Recording Academy expanded its state and local activism through a variety of new engagements: Mayoral forums, round tables, and digital activations elevated music creators' voices and spotlighted pressing industry issues.

Last May, the Recording Academy's New York Chapter hosted a virtual town hall with state legislators, providing its members the opportunity to discuss creative expression, deepfake protections, and other state-level concerns. Additional member round tables and forums were held in Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Last year, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis proclaimed Oct. 1 as Music Advocacy Dayin the state of Colorado, recognizing the Recording Academy's 11th annual nationwide initiativeand commending the organization's leadership in advancing creators' rights. The governor's unique recognition of Music Advocacy Day highlighted iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre, and Levitt Pavilion Denver, as well as the Colorado Music Industry Alliance (CMIA), affirming music's vital role in Colorado's identity and economy.

6 Reasons Music Advocacy Matters For Everyone

Last October, the Recording Academy partnered with Louisiana Music Partners and the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO) to host Music Swings Votes, a mayoral candidate forum centered on New Orleans' vibrant music economy. Held three days ahead of the mayoral primary, the forum gave candidates the opportunity to share their visions for supporting the city's artist community. On Oct. 11, City Council Vice President Helene Moreno won 55 percent of the vote, securing the mayoralty without a runoff. Moreno plans to establish a dedicated team within the Office of Economic Development focused on the creative sector and aimed at generating new economic opportunities for music and the arts.

Most recently, Recording Academy members in New Jersey participated in a campaign urging state assemblymembers to oppose A5611, which would legalize speculative ticketing, remove key anti-fraud safeguards, and allow full transferability, pushing more tickets into uncontrolled resale. A5611 died in committee last December, a victory for New Jersey artists, venues, and music fans alike.

With 2025 now closed, these state-level victories reflect the Recording Academy's unwavering commitment to protecting and advancing the interests of music creators across the country. From coast to coast, the Academy's members have demonstrated the power of coordinated advocacy, engagement, and public testimony in shaping policies that strengthen the music ecosystem. Looking ahead, the Academy remains dedicated to building on this momentum and championing legislation that supports creators, protects artistic expression, and keeps music thriving in communities across the country.

Music Advocacy Initiatives & Issues To Know