Bills · HR 4017
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4017Commerce
American Royalties Too Act of 2025
INTRO JUN 17· LAST ACTION JUN 17
READING
12MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it changes a long-standing practice in the art world where artists often don't benefit from the increasing value of their work over time. If a painting sells for $1,000 when an artist is young and then for millions decades later, the artist currently sees none of that later profit. This bill aims to correct that by giving artists a piece of the action from resales.
If this bill becomes law, it could provide a much-needed financial boost for many artists throughout their careers and for their families after they pass away, creating a more sustainable livelihood in the arts. Without it, the current system continues, and artists remain reliant on the initial sale price, missing out on potential income from their work's long-term market performance. It's about recognizing the enduring value of an artist's creation and ensuring they have an ongoing stake in its commercial life.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a resale royalty for visual artists, allowing them to receive a portion of the sale price when their artwork is resold commercially for $5,000 or more.
This creates a new income stream for artists, letting them benefit from the increasing value of their work over time, a right that currently does not exist in U.S. copyright law.
PROVISION 02
Sets the royalty at 5% of the resale price, with a maximum cap of $50,000 per sale, which will be adjusted annually for inflation.
This defines the specific financial benefit to artists while also setting limits to prevent disproportionately high costs on very expensive art transactions.
PROVISION 03
Requires art market professionals (like galleries and auction houses) to collect the royalty and pay it to designated 'visual artists' collecting societies' within 90 days of a sale.
This outlines the mechanism for collection and distribution, placing the responsibility on those facilitating the commercial transactions.
PROVISION 04
Specifies that the right to collect royalties lasts for the entire duration of the artwork's copyright and can be passed on to the artist's heirs.
This ensures long-term financial support for artists and their families, extending beyond the artist's lifetime.
PROVISION 05
Outlines procedures for handling unclaimed royalties, requiring collecting societies to make good-faith efforts to find artists, and transferring funds to the Copyright Office after three years if the artist cannot be located.
This ensures accountability for uncollected funds and provides a mechanism for them to be used for broader support of the arts if rightful owners cannot be found.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
33
BILLS LED
15
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 17
Introduced in House
JUN 17
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4017
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 17, 2025
Last actionJun 17, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 17, 2025
House BillHR 4017Commerce
American Royalties Too Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUN 17, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 17, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
12 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
