[HCRA] Call to Action for Massachusetts Hams - read Below

[Larry Krainson]

Everyone now is the time to start writing and act upon this ASAP:
*MA Distracted Driving Bill, Call to Action* Based on information we have
recently received, it may be time to contact your State Representatives
concerning the MA Distracted Driving Bill.

Over the weekend, Ray, KB1LRL and Tom, K1TW posted on both the WMA and EMA
websites the following news item:
https://wma.arrl.org/
https://ema.arrl.org/2019/11/16/ma-lawmakers-announce-surprise-agreement-on-distracted-driving-legislation/
Concerns are being raised across the section's asking what the impact this
bill has on amateur radio in the state.  Since the hands-free bills were
first filed, Eastern Massachusetts ARRL State Government Liaison, Hank
W4RIG, has  been closely coordinating with Senator Bruce Tarr, who is the
Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader and a radio amateur.
Previously the Senator’s office reported to Hank that Amateur Radio
operation would not be impacted by earlier versions of the bill. With the
hands-free bill finally clearing committee on the weekend and ready for a
vote, I asked Hank to contact the Senators office once again.  Hank reports
he has been in touch with the staff at Senator Tarr’s office and with these
most recent changes they can no longer confirm there will be no impact on
amateur radio mobile operation.
My understanding is the problem results from the substitution in the final
text from committee of “mobile electronic device” in place of “mobile
telephone”. In the original wording, the definition of a mobile telephone
in Massachusetts General Law specifically excludes amateur radios and
citizen band radios.  The definition in Massachusetts General Law of
“mobile electronic device” does not contain any exclusion for amateur
radios and citizen band radios.
Senator Tarr’s office said they are trying to correct this. This may be an
appropriate time to contact your Massachusetts Representative and Senator
politely asking them to incorporate the same words to exclude amateur radio
from the revised bill as was previously contained in the definition of
mobile telephone.
This website will help you find contact information for your State
Legislators if you do not already have it:
https://malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator
73, Ray Lajoie, KB1LRL SM WMA Tom Walsh K1TW SM EMA
-------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL
Western Massachusetts Section Section Manager: Raymond P Lajoie, KB1LRL
kb1lrl at arrl.org