[HIham] Kauai Cell Phone Bill immiment. Testimony needed immediately!

[Ron Hashiro]

Hawaii hams, especially on Kauai.

The passage of Bill 2336, Draft 1 (mobile cell phone bill) is imminent.  
The Public Safety/Energy/Intergovernmental Relations Committee within 
the Kauai Council heard public testimony on December 4, and only one 
person, a non-ham testified.  The committee will hear the matter again 
on Wed, January 13 sometime after 9:00 am at the County Building, Rm 
201.  A decision can be rendered that meeting which will lead to the 
bill becoming law.  It is imperative that written testimony be submitted 
no later than Monday, January 11, and personal testimony be given at 
that meeting on January 13 in support of amateur radio.

As of this time, I am unable to find the text of Draft 1 of the bill, 
which appears to have modifications from the cell phone bills already in 
effect on Oahu and Hawaii.  Kauai hams are encouraged to contact their 
County Clerk's office on Friday, January 8 and obtain a copy of Bill 
2336, Draft 1 and find out what amendments have been proposed. You can 
also contact the office of your Council person to discuss the matter, 
find out more information and voice support for the exemption for 
amateur radio operations, which played a key role for real-time 
reporting, coordination and recovery for Kauai during Hurricane Iniki 
when other communications services were affected.

Per a phone call with Jerry Hill on Thursday, Janauary 7, Bob KH6AS is 
the focal point on Kauai.  He has scheduled a meeting for Saturday, 
January 9 for Kauai hams to detail their action plan and response. 

Again, it is imperative that action be taken now, leading up to the 
Committee meeting next Wednesday to ensure that amateur radio rights on 
Kauai (and later, when the State Legislature convenes this year for a 
state-wide law) are not diminished.

See this web page for further information, links and details, including 
a link to submit written testimony via email.

http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/cellular-phone-ordinance.html
http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/cellular-phone-ordinance.html#kauai-action-plan

http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/articles/iniki.html



I have not received or found information on when Maui County's cell 
phone bill will be heard by their "Committee of the Whole", item 
designated COW-28.

http://www.co.maui.hi.us/Archive.aspx?ADID=11435

Ron Hashiro, AH6RH