[InHam] IN-ARRL BULLETIN 01-2009

[KB9BVN]

IN-ARRL BULLETIN 01-2009
11:26PM - FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Indiana 2009 Legislative Update - February 22, 2009

With the Indiana House and Senate going into their final week to pass bills 
in their respective chambers, it looks like Indiana hams can rest easy. ARRL 
Indiana State Government Liaison David Spoelstra, N9KT, has been active on 
five bills that could have affected Indiana hams:

SB0080:  Cell phone use while driving:
http://tinyurl.com/aoq3k9

SB0196:  Electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle:
http://tinyurl.com/dgdspt

HB1181:  Ban on visual display screens while driving:
http://tinyurl.com/bkdort

HB1242:  Mobile telephone use:
http://tinyurl.com/asefg9

HB1699:  Cell phone use while driving:
http://tinyurl.com/ak6oma

On February 9th, SB0196 was rendered neutral by an amendment that made the 
bill pertain only to "a person operating a motor vehicle as a public 
passenger chauffeur" - i.e. bus driver, taxi driver, etc.

On February 16th, HB1242 was rendered neutral by an amendment that excluded 
"two-way radios" and "handheld, portable, two-way radio transceivers 
commonly known as a walkie-talkies".

With three days remaining to pass bills in each chamber, and no further 
committee meetings scheduled, it looks like SB0080, HB1181, and HB1699 will 
die in committee.

David will continue to monitor SB0196 for new amendments that might affect 
Indiana hams as it moves through the House on its way to becoming a law.  He 
will also do the same for HB1242 if it gets voted over to the Senate this 
week.

David would like to thank Indiana Section Manager John Poindexter, W3ML, for 
his support as well as the countless Indiana hams who contacted their 
legislators to voice their concerns about these five bills.

=-=-=-=-=-=-
VIA  KB9BVN

Brian Murrey - KB9BVN
IN-ARRL Bulletin Manager
317-535-9887