Public Affairs & Government Relations

NAMM stands for its Members every day by providing ongoing representation in Washington, D.C. on issues that impact the music products industry, including:

  • Music education and education reform legislation and funding
  • Small business health insurance legislation
  • Estate tax reform
  • Import/export laws
  • E-commerce tax reform

Advancing Music: Public Policy, Music Education and Music Making
A blog by Mary Luehrsen, Director of Public Affairs & Government Relations

NAMM Presents Testimony at House Oversight Hearing on Lacey Act

On behalf of NAMM, Steve McCreary of Collings Guitars provides update on impact and unintended consequences of 2008 Amendment to Lacey Act.

May 16, The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Ocean and Insular Affairs of the US House of Representatives heard testimony today at its oversight hearing on, “the 2008 Lacey Act Amendments”. The Subcommittee sought information on how the Amendments have stopped the importation of illegally obtained plant and plant products, whether the amount of illegal wood entering international trade has increased or decreased during the past five years, what has been the impact of the filing of thousands of declaration documents with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, how many of these documents have resulted in the prosecution or seizure of illegally harvested wood or wood products, whether there are alternative ways to obtain this information in a more cost effective manner and what modifications should the Congress consider to this lay. Other organizations testifying at the hearing include representatives from US regulators (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Fish and Wildlife Service), International Wood Products Association, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and the Hardwood Federation. The text of Mr. McCreary’s testimony can be downloaded here.   A summary of requested changes are outlined here.  A list of Representatives on the Subcommittee is provided; NAMM Members can contact Representatives via their websites and provide information concerning business impact of the Lacey Act Amendments.

Released May 10, 2013: Congressional Research Service report “The Lacey Act: Compliance Issues Related to Importing Plants and Plant Products”. Download to review.

Photos from Steve McCreary's appearance on House Oversight Hearing On Lacey Act

Check out Webinar and Information about Traveling Abroad with Your Precious Instrument that may Contain Materials Listed as an Endangered Species

NAMM co-sponsored a May 14 webinar on the “Endangered Species and the Traveling Musician”-  the archived webinar may be downloaded directly...

Final Chance to Register For NAMM's IP Academy

FINAL CALL:  NAMM’s IP Academy at United States Patent and Trademark Offices in Alexandria Virginia May 9th. In addition to USPTO staffers Susan Anthony and Scott Baldwin,...

URGENT – Contact YOUR Senator today

Urge support for S. 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013

The Marketplace Fairness Coalition, of which NAMM is a member, will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April...

Forest Legality Alliance April Newsletter

Forest legality Alliance (FLA) Newsletter now available.  Information on World Forests Summit, Asia Anti-deforestation pledge, case studies and news.  The next FLA semi-annual membership meeting...

Did You Miss the Wood Import Due Care Standards Webinar on March 29?

Please review the PPT from the Standard for Due Diligence in Procuring and...

Forest Legality Alliance

January issue of Forest Legality Alliance newsletter available here.  Includes updates on December...

NAMM Presents Testimony at House Oversight Hearing on Lacey Act

On behalf of NAMM, Steve McCreary of Collings Guitars provides update on impact and unintended consequences of 2008 Amendment to Lacey Act.

May 16, The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Ocean and Insular...

FREE WEBINAR: Endangered Species and the Traveling Musician – May 14, 2:00 p.m. EDT

Special permits are required to travel internationally with certain musical instruments containing protected species, such as ivory, rosewood, tortoise shell, and other material. How can you know whether your instrument requires such...

URGENT – Contact YOUR Senator today

Urge support for S. 743, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013

The Marketplace Fairness Coalition, of which NAMM is a member, will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April 23 with Senators and small businesses...

Did You Miss the Wood Import Due Care Standards Webinar on March 29?

Please review the PPT from the Standard for Due Diligence in Procuring and Sourcing Legal Timber under the Lacey Act...

Planning AHEAD: Music Education Advocacy and NAMM Fly-in

Here at NAMM, the end of the calendar year is the time when activity is at its peak.  We are weeks away from the NAMM Show where we will be hosting over a thousand university music majors and faculty, welcoming a music educators...

Music Education Advocacy: Keeping the Spirit Alive

I’m an eternal optimist about what lies at the heart of music education traditions in the U.S., which includes a parent’s inherent belief about the importance of music education for their children. This, along with strong...

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