[HIham] Help Preserve our Rights for Mobile Radio!

[Bart Aronoff]

A group of HAMs (listed below) met tonight to discuss how we can  
respond to a bill in the legislature (HB 143) which, if passed in its  
current form, would make it illegal to operate a mobile radio while  
operating a vehicle. This would include operating while parked on the  
side of a road with the motor running. The complete bill can be found  
at:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/Bills/HB143_.pdf


We believe that it will be very important for as many people as  
possible submit testimony on this bill, and we have suggested content  
which we believe will be most effective. Testimony can be submitted in  
writing (5 copies), by fax, or by email. Testimony is usually most  
effective when it is kept short and to the point. One page should do it.


Below follows a template for testimony on this bill, showing both  
printed and email format. It is critical that the testimony represent  
your views (we are offering suggestions) which must be expressed in  
your own language. Multiple copies of identical testimony have little  
influence. Below several alternatives are shown for needed language.  
Pick only one of each set containing OR.

Cover page – a separate page if submitting written or faxed testimony,  
or the top of the page if submitting email testimony (this should be  
done exactly as shown):

________________________________________________



<Your Name (and if representing an organization, the name of the  
organization, your position and title)>

House Committee on Transportation

February 9, 2009

HB 143

5 Copies

____________________________________________________



Chairman Souki and members of the Committee, my name is _________ and  
I SUPPORT

the purpose of

OR the intent of

OR the need for this bill to

regulate the use of cell phones in automobiles/cars/vehicles

OR

promote traffic safety by controlling cell phone use and texting by  
drivers

OR

protect the public by controlling the use of cell phones.

Or something similar, in your own words.


However, …... I OPPOSE ….OR I FEEL STRONGLY THAT


and here the committee suggests that our needs would be best served by  
eliminating/deleting/removing the references to other electronic  
devices. In other words, we support all of the bill except the parts  
about other electronic devices.

Use you own language. (sorry, I'm repeating myself, aren't I.  This  
really is important)  We discussed that the definition of electronic  
devices is very/too broad and could even include hearing aids. We  
discussed that we recognize cell phone use and texting by drivers can  
be dangerous, but that other electronic devices have been safely used  
for many years. Other electronic devices are important to commerce.


You may wish to close by expressing your appreciation in your own  
words for being able to submit testimony/testify on this bill/measure.


If you submit email, the subject line should be “TRN 2/9/09 HB 143”  
and the address is

TRNtestimony at capitol.hawaii.gov

Testimony should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Saturday (2/7) at the very  
latest.  During the day on Friday would be much better.  The sooner it  
gets in, the higher it sits on the stack.  Details for paper and fax  
submissions, as well as hearing details, are given in my previous post.

The ad hoc committee:

Bev Yuen

Ray Moody

Ann Miller

Clem Jung

Ron Hashiro

Kevin Bogan

Bart Aronoff