[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] VA Legislators and Cell phone definition

[ka4gfy at cox.net]

With SB 806 looming in the VA General Assembly, I found a website for the VA state legislature you can use to find out who your legislators are.  It shows both your delegate and state senator, as well as their phone numbers and email. 

Here it is:

http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

I also found the NY State definition on wireless device for the purposes of their ban on driving while cellular.  I did notice the NY State Police aggressively enforce the ban on cell phone use while driving, but I was able to use my mobile radio with no problem when I went up to Fort Drum, NY a couple years ago.

Here is the cite from the NY State law:

§ 1225-c. Use of mobile telephones. 1. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall mean:

  (a) "Mobile telephone" shall mean the device used by subscribers and other users of wireless telephone service to access such service.

  (b) "Wireless telephone service" shall mean two-way real time voice telecommunications service that is interconnected to a public switched telephone network and is provided by a commercial mobile radio service, as such term is defined by 47 C.F.R. § 20.3.

  (c) "Using" shall mean (i) holding a mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, the user's ear; and (ii) with respect to a person operating a commercial motor vehicle, holding a mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, the user's ear, or dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires such person to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed in accordance with section 393.93 of title 49 of the code of federal regulations and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

  (d) "Hand-held mobile telephone" shall mean a mobile telephone with which a user engages in a call using at least one hand.

  (e) "Hands-free mobile telephone" shall mean a mobile telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. Provided, however, that for purposes of this section, a mobile telephone used by a person operating a commercial motor vehicle shall not be deemed a "hands-free mobile telephone" when such person dials or answers such mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button.

  (f) "Engage in a call" shall mean talking into or listening on a hand-held mobile telephone, but shall not include holding a mobile telephone to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone.

  (g) "Immediate proximity" shall mean that distance as permits the operator of a mobile telephone to hear telecommunications transmitted over such mobile telephone, but shall not require physical contact with such operator's ear.

Notice the law is VERY specific about connecting to the public switched telephone network.  If we can't shoot down the law in its entirety, then let's get the wording changed to limit this only to cell phones.  We aren't the only users of two way radio that will be affected by this.

73,
Rich, KA4GFY