A bill that would allow news outlets to bargain with tech platforms over the distribution of their content was reintroduced in both chambers by a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday.

The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act is being touted as a way to “save local news” and comes as lawmakers push forward with broader efforts to rein in the market power of the top tech companies.

It follows the passage of an Australian law late last month that forces tech giants to pay publishers for content and subjects the tech companies to mandatory price arbitration if a deal cannot be reached. 

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The Australian bill initially faced fierce pushback from top tech companies, including Facebook and Google. Facebook even implemented a restriction on news content in Australia, but later reversed after last-minute negotiations with the Australian government.

The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would not go quite as far as the Australian approach.

It would establish a temporary four-year safe harbor from antitrust laws for news outlets that allows publishers to negotiate collectively with the digital content distributors, such as Google and Facebook. 

The bill was reintroduced by House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David CicillineDavid CicillineHouse passes sweeping protections for LGBTQ people The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – J&J A-OK, Tanden in Trouble Six ways to visualize a divided America MORE (D-R.I.),  subcommittee ranking member Rep. Ken BuckKenneth (Ken) Robert BuckAn antitrust agenda that builds upon bipartisan ideas  House to launch antitrust hearings starting next week Congress faces news showdown with Facebook, Google MORE (R-Colo.), Rep. Mark DeSaulnierMark James DeSaulnierPelosi wins Speakership for fourth time in dramatic vote Dozens of Democrats plan to vote remotely in a first for the House Rep. DeSaulnier leaves ICU after 3 weeks to continue treatment for pneumonia MORE (D-Calif.), and Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights Chairwoman Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharDemocrats near pressure point on nixing filibuster  Hillicon Valley: China implicated in Microsoft breach | White House adds Big Tech critic | QAnon unfazed after false prediction FDA signals plan to address toxic elements in baby food MORE (D-Minn.).

“This bill will give hardworking local reporters and publishers the helping hand they need right now, so they can continue to do their important work,” Cicilline said in a statement. 

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Buck similarly said the bill is an “important start to remedying the results of Google, Facebook, and other’s anticompetitive conduct” toward news outlets. 

Klobuchar said the legislation would help “improve the quality of reporting” by giving outlets a “fighting chance when negotiating for fair treatment by the digital platforms.” 

“We must enable news organizations to negotiate on a level playing field with the big tech companies if we want to preserve a strong and independent press,” Klobuchar said in a statement. 

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Klobuchar and Republican Sen. John KennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (La.) first introduced the bill last session and the bill gained top Senate Republican Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump praises retiring Blunt, who opposed his conviction The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Johns Hopkins University – Trump’s relationship with GOP worsens Dozens of Trump appointees ‘burrow’ into Biden government MORE (Ky.) as one of three GOP co-sponsors. 

The reintroduction of the bill comes ahead of two antitrust hearings this week, one in the Senate on Thursday and one in the House on Friday. 

Microsoft president Brad Smith, who wrote a blog post last month urging the U.S. to adopt a policy similar to Australia’s, is expected to testify at the House hearing, Axios reported.