[ICOM] Fwd: HB 2595 Emergency Communications Preservation Act

Chris Mangus oldradiofan at gmail.com
Wed Jan 24 16:58:56 EST 2007


FYI everyone!

Chris / N7WBZ

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dan Brown <dan at kxaz.com>
Date: Jan 23, 2007 9:08 PM
Subject: HB 2595 Emergency Communications Preservation Act
To: CADXA at listserv.tempe.gov



 Arizona Emergency Communications Preservation Act  HB 2595


 Ladies & Gentlemen,

 This bill incorporates The Federal Communications Commission
preemption known as PRB1 that requires local communities to make
"reasonable accommodation" for Amateur Radio antennas and structures.
It further applies that "reasonable accommodation" to HOA's.  And
finally calls for no "special charge" on Ham Radio license plates.
Your help is vital to this bill passing. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SENATOR
AND REPRESENTATIVE NOW AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT AND CO-SPONSOR HB 2595.

 Below you will find sample language to include in your emails and
phone calls.  You may cut and paste or copy it and send to your
elected representatives.

 Here are links to the Bill and the Rosters for both the House and
Senate.  Each district in Arizona has 2 House Representatives and 1
Senator.  The district you are located in can be found by calling your
local County Elections department and giving them your address.  You
can also contact me and I will help you.


 House Bill 2595

 http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/48leg/1r/bills/hb2595p.pdf

 Arizona Legislature House Membership Roster

 http://www.azleg.state.az.us/memberRoster.asp?Body=H

 Arizona Legislature Senate Membership Roster

 http://www.azleg.state.az.us/MemberRoster.asp?Body=S&SortBy=1


 Dear Representative/Senator ______________
 Representative McLain has introduced legislation in support of
Emergency Communications, HB 2595. We would greatly appreciate your
support and co-sponsorship. The basic provisions are simply a
codification in Arizona statutes of the Federal Communications
Commission preemption known as PRB1, that requires local governments
to give "reasonable accommodation" for federally licensed Amateur
Radio antennas and support structures. This same type of legislation
has been enacted in some 23 states, usually unanimously or at a
minimum by an overwhelming majority.
 Amateur Radio operators (hams) supply vital emergency communications
in times of disasters, earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes, and fires.
They have a presence at the State EOC; agreements with Dept of
Homeland Security, FEMA, Red Cross, Maricopa County Sheriff, and many
other agencies. The Rodeo-Chedeski Fire initial coordination was via
Amateur Radio operators and their communications systems.
 The State of Arizona has a hodge podge of local regulations that are
many times in conflict with the Federal Communications Commission PRB1
preemption. It is difficult and costly for individual Amateur Radio
operators to "educate" local government officials about the federal
preemption. Codification of that preemption for "reasonable
accommodation" would greatly ease the burden of proof that is now
placed on the radio operator.
 The State has had to make preemptions in HOA's so that police
officers could park their service vehicles at their homes. In addition
they have had to make similar preemptions for "emergency service"
vehicles for SRP, APS, and the gas providers who take them home so
they can respond in emergencies. The CCR's for some older
neighborhoods include rules against selling to minorities based on
their color or ethnic origin. Times change and we all need to change
with them. The ability to provide "emergency communications" should
not be held back by antiquated rules that make no sense in the modern
world. Reasonable accommodation is not too much to ask, just like
satellite TV dishes.
 Mayor Brown of Page is working with the League of Cities on this
issue. He has provided them the language that has been similarly
adopted by some 23 other states. Everyone realizes the vital role
communications plays when there is a disaster.
 Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope you will be able
to see the short 5 minute video made by Walter Cronkite, who is a ham
radio operator, about emergency communications and the role Amateur
Radio played during the Rodeo-Chedeski fire. If you would like a copy
of this video please let me know and I will arraign for you to receive
one. The most famous Arizona Amateur Radio operator was Senator Barry
Goldwater.
 Please feel free to contact me for any further information. I would
greatly appreciate your support and co-sponsorship of HB 2595, the
Emergency Communications Preservation Act.
 Sincerely,
  _______________
 Office:
 Cell:
 Email:


 PLEASE MAKE THOSE PHONE CALLS AND SEND THOSE EMAILS NOW.

 If you can personalize your message, that will be best.  Talk about
your Public Service.  Talk about your commitment to serve during an
emergency.  Talk about the difficulties you have faced in putting up
vital emergency communications antennas.  Talk about the unreasonable
restrictions your Homeowners Association places on federally licensed
Amateur Radio operators.  Talk about how much you will appreciate
their Co-Sponsoring HB 2595, so much so that you will tell all your
friends to vote.  Talk about your clubs support for HB 2595 and how
you will remember their help.  Talk about your preparedness to provide
communications when the cell phones and telephones are clogged or have
failed.  Talk about the fact that you are a Federally Licensed
communications operator.

 Talk about how much Amateur Radio operators emergency communications
will be needed in an Evacuation; during a search for a lost child,
during a Flu pandemic, if there is a mass evacuation of fleeing
families due to an earthquake in California, or any other natural or
manmade disaster.

 ALWAYS BE POLITE AND NEVER ARGUE.  As the Mayor of the City of Page,
I am always more ready to help someone who asks for help, than the
people who argue or threaten me.

 Please let me know about your contacts with our State Legislators.
Please email me if they request the Walter Cronkite Emergency
Communications Video and I will get them one.  It is very important
for you to let me know if they agree to be a Co-Sponsor.  We need to
follow up with a thank you to everyone who agrees to Co-Sponsor HB
2595.

 You can reach me in the following manner:

 Dan Brown  NA7DB     Emails:  dan at kxaz.com  or  mayor at cityofpage.org

 Office: 800-498-7741
 Cell: 928-614-0306

 Thank you very much for your help.  Together we can make the future
of Amateur Radio in the State of Arizona better for all hams.
Especially those who have had to battle unreasonable conditions placed
on them by local governments and HOA's.  You can change the future by
making the effort to support the Emergency Communications Preservation
Act HB 2595.

 Best Wishes,

 Dan Brown   NA7DB
 Mayor
 City of Page

 PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERY HAM YOU KNOW AND ALL ARIZONA CLUB REFLECTORS.

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