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

Wed, 10 Mar 2004 06:37:50 -1000

Thank you Kevin for sending out this excellent summary.

Hawaii amateur operators:

Additional information about the overall Legislative process can be 
found at this URL.  It is an excellent overview of the series of steps 
the bill will have to navigate.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/info/guide/process03.asp?press1=info&press2=guide

Also, to help you figure out the deadline dates, see this URL

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/info/time/time.asp?press1=info&press2=time

When sending out the letter to your Senator, request support of HB2773 
and HB2774.

The bill is currently deferred in the Senate until 3/11.  When the bill 
is referred to a Senate committee (most likely, the Consumer Protection 
and Housing committee).  The committee needs to hear the bill in a 
public session in order to advance it to the next step.  We may need to 
encourage the Chair to hold a hearing on the bill.

Be ready to submit written testimony.  Should the bill be scheduled to 
be heard, the public gets a 48 hour notice.  Then, all written testimony 
needs to be sent to the committee chair at least 24 hours in advance of 
the hearing.

Ron H
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[HIham] March 9, 2004: Update on HB2773 and HB2774
Date: 	Wed, 10 Mar 2004 00:10:41 -1000
From: 	Kevin C. Bogan <[email protected]>
Reply-To: 	[email protected]
To: 	Emergency Amateur Radio Club <[email protected]>, Hawaii Ham 
<[email protected]>, hamradiohawaii 
<[email protected]>, <[email protected]>

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 [email protected].  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
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________
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.

_______________________________________________
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