Please contact your state legislator to support three bills critical to the growth and vitality of Texas music. The intent of these bills is to create an incentive for venues to book more live music, thus contributing to the economy and culture of our state. These bills will also boost sales of sound and lighting equipment and the associated labor used to present live music. They will cut in half the TABC tax on music venue alcohol sales if a venue presents live music four or more times each week. They will amend the exemption authorized by Section 151.3185 of the tax code for producers of audio recordings to include an exemption for these venues that present live music 4 or more times a week, and exempt them from paying sales tax on certain items related to the performance of live music such as sound and lighting equipment and labor related to music-related equipment or materials including sound mitigation. Senate Bill 1179, introduced by Sen. Deuell relating to a reduction in the mixed beverage tax for certain venues that present live music; authorizing a fee. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1179 Senate Bill 1498, introduced by Sen. Deuell relating to a sales tax exemption for certain items sold to or used by certain venues that present live music. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1498 House Bill 3095, introduced by Rep. Strama (which combines SB 1498 and SB 1179) relating to a reduction in the mixed beverage tax for certain venues that present live music; authorizing a fee. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=HB3095 The recording industry has decreased nearly 60 percent since 1999, leaving musicians and music businesses with less opportunities for income. Live music has since emerged as the industry’s primary business driver. There are several financial barriers that venue owners such as nightclubs, dancehalls, restaurants and bars face in presenting live music, including start-up costs, high taxes and copyright fees. Currently there are no incentives by law for presenting live music. We urge you to contact your legislator to express support for these bills. To find out your representative's and senator's phone number, go to: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Address.aspx S.T.E.P. thanks you for your support of these important pieces of legislation. For more information, contact Sparky Sparks, S.T.E.P. Director of Legislative Affairs.