[ARRL-OK] 2013 ARRL Legislative Initiatives

[Eddie Manley]

I'm not sure how many of you read Dan Henderson's Legislative newsletter.  Here are the top points of legislative interest issued by our Directors, and hopefully some will lead toward legislation in the US Congress.

  a.. ? To seek legislation instructing the FCC to extend the requirement for "reasonable accommodation" of Amateur Radio station
  b.. antennas -- a requirement that now applies to state and local regulations -- to all forms of land use regulation.
  c.. ? To oppose legislation that would lead to the reallocation of amateur spectrum or to sharing arrangements that reduce the
  d.. utility of existing allocations.
  e.. ? To oppose legislation that diminishes the rights of federal licensees in favor of unlicensed emitters or encourages the
  f.. deployment of spectrum-polluting technologies.
  g.. ? To seek recognition of the unique resources, capabilities and expertise of the Amateur Radio Service in any legislation that
  h.. addresses communications issues that are related to emergencies, disasters or homeland security.
  i.. ? To support the complementary legislative objectives of other radio communication services -- particularly the public safety
  j.. and scientific services -- that require spectrum access and protection from interference for non-commercial purposes that
  k.. benefit the public.
  l.. ? To oppose "distracted driving" legislation that does not clearly exempt two-way mobile radio transmitters or receivers used
  m.. by FCC-licensed radio amateurs.
  n.. ? To support legislation authorizing FCC Commissioners to appoint an electrical engineer or computer scientist as an
  o.. additional member of their staffs to ensure that Commissioners have adequate access to technical expertise when making
  p.. decisions"
We are working with the Oklahoma State Legislature to admend our PRB1 bill .... it has passed the House with complete support (94-0) and at my last check is waiting in the Senate.  If it goes on like this, I will not ask for your help ... but, if we hit a snag all of us will need to contact our Senators.  
The other issue that we have been watching is the "texting while driving" bills (4)  which DID NOT contain a provision to exempt Amateur Radio.  Four of bills introduced this year did NOT exempt us, one did.  All of these, as for now, are "dormant" and will not come back this year - unless someone figures out how to revitalize them.

Thanks for reading ......... 73
     Eddie - K5EMS
Oklahoma Legislative Liaison