[ETS/PARC List] The latest on Cell Phone laws

[Ronald Loneker Sr.]

And The Winner Is – US!

This just in!  The New Jersey Senate passed the “Hands Free” cell phone bill
today.
However, through the heard work and leadership of NNJ Section Manager Bill
Hudzik, W2UDT,
Senate bill 1099, which makes it a primary offense for motorists to talk on
or text
message with a hand-held wireless telephone or electronic communications
device while
driving, contains a very specific exemption for Amateur Radio.

Paragraph 1a. makes use of a hand-held phone while driving a primary
offense.
However, at the end of the paragraph is the exemption:

“For the purposes of this section, an “electronic communications device”
shall not include an Amateur Radio.

For the complete text of the bill go to:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S1500/1099_R2.HTM

This is a perfect case of great section leadership, grass roots politics and
letters from
constituents all working in harmony to get Amateur Radio exempted.  Everyone
wins in this case.

But let us also be smart and aware that not all police officers will read
that last sentence.
Some of us will be stopped and asked why we are using handheld mics that, in
their opinion,
causes us to disobey the law.  If that happens, each ham must patiently
point out the exemption.
Carrying a copy of the bill in your glove compartment is not a bad idea
either.

But any way you slice it, it is a win for Amateurs brought about by Bill and
his team.
Congratulations to all who were involved.

-73- Steve, W2ML

-- 
Ronald Loneker Sr. - Product Engineer - QC
E.F. Britten & Co. Inc.
Cranford, NJ  07016
Tel. No. (908) 276-4800
Fax No. (908) 276-9153
E-mail : ka2bzs at comcast.net
www.efbritten.com