[ARRL-OK] New CC&R Bill

[Eddie Manley]

Please note:    Do your part in getting our State Reps and Senators to move
this Bill forward.  Thanks  Eddie 73 K5EMS
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SB QST ARL ARLB023
ARLB023 Amateur Radio antenna ''CC&R Bill'' reintroduced in Congress

New York Congressman Steve Israel has reintroduced legislation that could
make it easier for radio amateurs living in communities with deed covenants,
conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) to erect suitable antennas. Arkansas
Congressman Mike Ross, WD5DVR, signed aboard as an original cosponsor of the
''Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act'' (HR 3876).

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has encouraged League members to write
their elected representative and ask that they cosponsor and support the
bill, especially given two hurricane emergencies in short order.

''Amateur Radio is certainly a part of this nation's communications
infrastructure,'' Haynie said. ''What we're asking for is just a fair shake
so we can put up antennas and help our fellow citizens.''  While the League
has ramped up its efforts to educate members of Congress about Amateur
Radio, Haynie said lawmakers respond best to individual members.

The one-sentence measure is identical to the text of the CC&R bill that has
been introduced in the last two sessions of Congress. It would put private
land-use regulations, such as homeowners' association rules, on the same
legal plane as state or local zoning regulations under the FCC's PRB-1
limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and
municipalities.

HR 3876 has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Information about the bill and a sample letter to use when contacting your
representative are available on the ARRL Web site,
<www.arrl.org/govrelations/hr3876/>.

In his public announcement September 19, Israel said that ''often unsung''
Amateur Radio volunteers were instrumental in helping residents in the
hardest hit areas in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, including saving
stranded flood victims in Louisiana and Mississippi.

''State and local governments, as well as disaster relief agencies, could
not possibly afford to replace the services that radio amateurs dependably
provide for free,'' said a statement from Israel's office. ''However, the
hundreds of thousands of Amateur Radio licensees face burdensome regulations
that make it extremely difficult to provide their public services.''
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