[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: FW: Commonwealth of Virginia Senate Bill SB74

Sun Dec 31 08:24:11 EST 2017

Just sent my letter out yesterday :)

On Dec 31, 2017 12:35 AM, <ka4gfy at cox.net> wrote:

> Don't forget to contact your Delegate as well.
>
> The VA General Assembly has a tool to find your legislators:
>
> http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
>
> 73,
> Rich, KA4GFY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:
> alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Lewis (KI4D)
> Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2017 12:19 AM
> To: alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: FW: Commonwealth of
> Virginia Senate Bill SB74
>
> For those who may be interested, enclosed for your use is a candidate
> letter that makes a case for amending SB74 to better support amateur radio
> as a public service.   Although it was designed as a constituent's letter,
> it can be modified in any way desired as an email or as a letter for postal
> service.  It would ideal if the author of the bill, Senator Scott Surovell
> office, could hear from amateur radio operators who live in District 36 by
> next week because SB74 is scheduled for hearings beginnings January 10th.
> District 36 is shown in the attached map graphic annotated in orange.
> Senator Surovell may be contacted as follows:
>
> Off Session - Local District Office
> Phone - 571.249.4484
> ScottSurovell at gmail.com
>
> Senator Scott A. Surovell
> P.O. Box 289
> Mt. Vernon, VA 22121
>
>  It is important to note that letters and calls to any Virginia Senators
> or Delegates concerning this issue can be helpful if the bill comes up for
> votes.
>
> Don, KI4D
>
> ====================================================================
> As a constituent and one of more than 19,000 FCC - licensed Amateur Radio
> Operators in the State of Virginia, I am writing to ask that you support
> amending the current SB74 to insert “The use of Amateur Radio” as an
> exception in paragraph 1.B, and strike the current paragraph 1.B.6., which
> limits amateur radio.
>
> Amateur Radio was established in part by Congress particularly with
> respect to providing emergency communications, which is not the case with
> CB radio, noting that CB radio has a full exception in the current SB74.
>
> While it is important that amateur radio operators be allow to participate
> in emergency communications or drills on behalf of federal, state, or local
> authorities, it is equally important that amateur radio operators be
> allowed to use their equipment routinely so that they will be trained and
> skilled operators ready for public emergencies, including support with
> mobile operations.
>
> Virginia has always relied on and benefited from Amateur Radio’s critical
> communications support in time of need. We have been prepared for, and
> involved in the response to virtually every disaster in Virginia
> volunteering to provide communications, at no cost to anyone.  The
> Amendments of SB74, as requested,  will allow Amateurs to continue to
> provide the same critical communications service to our communities as we
> have for over the past 100-plus years.
>
> As a constituent, I ask that you support these amendments to SB74 when it
> comes to the Senate floor for a vote. Thank you for your consideration.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:
> alexandriaradioclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Lewis (KI4D)
> Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2017 10:59 PM
> To: alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: Commonwealth of Virginia
> Senate Bill SB74
>
> This note follows up on tonight's weekly net discussions about Virginia
> Senate Bill SB74.  The note from ARRL Virginia Section Manager, Dr. Joseph
> G Palsa, below explains concerns about SB74.  A big concern is that CB
> operators have more privileges in the bill than FCC licensed amateur radio
> operators, who have a mandate for public service.  It is important to
> contact your Senator or Delegate about this bill before the legislature
> takes action on it beginning January 10th.  The bill is attached.
>
> You can find out who represents you in the Senate and House or Congress at
> http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/.  If you provide your home
> address, the site will give you the email address and phone numbers of your
> state Senator and Delegate.
>
> Don, KI4D
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ARRL Members Only Web site [mailto:memberlist at www.arrl.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2017 3:43 PM
> Subject: Commonwealth of Virginia Senate Bill SB74
>
> All Virginia Hams:
> Since this SB74 was brought to the attention of Virginia Hams, there has
> been many emails and calls to legislative offices concerning individual
> contacts are being made by Dr Joe Palsa, Section Manager K3WRY and State
> government Liaison and Mac McNeer K4YEF.
>
> For Assembly contact and bill information:
> http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/
>
> The following is an explanation letter that explains what effects SB74
> will have on the Amateur radio community.  Personal contacts and visits
> have been made to several elected offices to make sure they understand the
> damage that will done to the effectiveness of amateur radio on a normal
> daily basis as well as any emergency services performed by hams.
>
> Virginia Senate bill will limit Amateur Radio in
> vehicles--------------------------
> Virginia state Senate bill SB74 would limit amateur radio use in vehicles
> while totally exempting CB radio from those rules. Designed to limit the
> use of mobile phones while driving, it seems to limit the use of “hand-held
> devices” used by hams to situations that have been approved by the state or
> a local government. “Hand-held devices” are not clearly defined; does a
> microphone with buttons on it count? As Allan Johnson, WA3J, put it, “You
> can’t expect the sheriff of a small rural community to know the exemptions
> in detail. He sees a device in the hands of a ham and he gives the ham a
> $150 to $250 ticket. Going to court to show an exemption is costly in time
> and dollars.” We are asking for an exemption equivalent to the CB
> exemption. When the sheriff sees a microphone in hand, she or he will know
> this is exempt.
> Given the number of runs, walks, bicycle tours and other events supported
> by hams government-permission imposes quite a burden. The event organizers
> or supporting hams will have to go to their government representative and
> get approval by a process that does not exist in most localities. One
> result is that many hams will not bother to install transceivers in their
> vehicles. That means less experience in mobile communications, not a good
> thing for emergency response or the support of community events.
> With many state governments starting their legislative sessions this
> spring. Hams need to review the bills before they go to committee. As hams
> around Virginia learn of SB74, they are contacting their state legislators.
> Legislators listen to those who vote.
>
> The bill can be found at
> http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=181&typ=bil&val=sb74
> Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Virginia Section
> Section Manager: Dr Joseph G Palsa, K3WRY k3wry at arrl.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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