[HIham] March 9, 2004: Update on HB2773 and HB2774

[Kevin C. Bogan]

Folks,
Events are happening quickly.  We are holding our breath and waiting to see
when we need to act.  Please read and follow the committee's guidelines
which should allow us to act coherently and logically in a timely manner.
We need to do a massive amount of education and this effort requires a
unified front.  By no means are we dictating what you should be doing,
rather, we have listened to the community and are presenting a plan that we
believe will succeed.  If you feel that it is not sufficient, please talk to
us and let us know.  Please give this the widest dissemination. Questions?
Call Kevin 778-4697 or better yet, email me at kbogan@hawaii.rr.com.  I will
be on Maui on Wed., but my phone should work.

Thank you for your efforts,
Kevin C. Bogan, AH6QO
ARRL Section Manager, Pacific
President, Emergency Amateur Radio Club
OCDA RACES
Hawai'i State VOAD
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Update on HB2773 and HB2774
Status:
  a.. Friday evening (3/5/04), the 2 ham radio antenna bills moving through
the Legislature passed 3rd reading in the House.  They have now crossed over
to the Senate to continue their journey there.
  b.. Today (3/9/04), they passed 1st reading in the Senate (usually a
formality) and were deferred (until 3/11/04).  We understand that deferred
means that they were not referred to a subject matter Committee yet.
See the URLs below for status:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus2.asp?billno=HB2773
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus2.asp?billno=HB2774

What Now?
  a.. The bills will be referred to a subject matter committee.
  b.. The Committee can call for a hearing on the bills with 48 hours
notice.  We don't know when that will be.  We'll be checking and let
everyone know.
  c.. Several ham are working on the text of amendments to the bills so the
bills aren't as broad and will have more chance of passing.  More on this
later.
  d.. This small working group of hams is also preparing to visit each of
the members of the Committee to which the bills are referred (when that
happens) to acquaint them with the bills, ask for their support and answer
any questions they may have.
What can you do?
Now:
  a.. Prepare a letter (e-mail is fine) to your (and other) Senators.  Use
the Guidelines below for writing your letter.
  See:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/senate/members/members.asp?press1=senate&press2=members
  to find your Senator and his/her e-mail address.
  a.. Prepare your written testimony in preparation for a hearing.  Don't
send it yet as we don't know for sure what committee will be reviewing it.
Soon:
  a.. Visit your Senator or other Senators you may know or his/her staff if
it is convenient to do so.  We are trying to track who we reach, so we would
appreciate it if you would let us know if you visit in person.  We are now
preparing information sheets, if you wish to use them, which can be left
with the Senators.
  b.. Attend any hearing that is scheduled, if you can, to show your
support.
When writing to your legislator, here's a suggested format:
  a.. Reference the Bill Numbers and their descriptions
  (HB 2773 and HB 2774 - Allow licensed amateur radio operators living in
condominium property regimes and subdivisions to install antennas.)
  Status of Bills
  Text (Your reasons for asking for their support.)
  Brief Summary

We aren't preparing form letters as we feel it is much more effective to say
it in your own words.