[K3CAL] Fwd: WE DID IT, IT'S MARYLAND LAW - For our ARESR EC Leaders, Members and Teams -

[Shawn Donley]

In effect, what this new legislation does is make FCC PRB-1 part of Maryland law.    Unfortunately, this legislation (and PRB-1) do not deal with antenna restrictions imposed by Home Owner Associations or Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's) that are part of the deed to property.

But still, it is a victory.

Note:   For several years (actually back as far as 2015) I've been in communications with Calvert zoning officials regarding planned updates to the Calvert zoning ordinance.  A new ordinance is slowly being prepared.   I just forwarded the information on this new legislation to them. 

As it stands, our current zoning ordinance isn't too restrictive compared to may other jurisdictions.  We should be very happy for that.   Hoping to keep it that way or actually open it up a bit. in the new ordinance.

For anyone interested, the current zoning reg is at https://ecode360.com/29297664Z   Look for the paragraphs "Tower, Private/Not-for-Profit (Non-Commercial/Governmental)"    Yes, I know the current ordinance has some flaws, specifically the requirement to demonstrate to the county that the proposed tower/antenna will not generate interference.  The FCC holds a strong preemption clause against local and state ordinances regarding radio frequency interference.  That info was passed along to the county a while ago.

N3AE


>     ---------- Original Message ----------
>     From: m_pittinger at comcast.net
> 
> 
> 
> 
>     WE DID IT, IT'S MARYLAND LAW – May 27, 2022
> 
> 
>     Many thanks and much appreciation to Maryland Delegates Mr. Boteler and Mr. Buckel and their staff.
> 
> 
>     Narrative –
> 
>     Local Government - Regulation of Amateur Radio Station Antenna Structures
> 
>     Requiring that an ordinance adopted by a county or municipality to regulate amateur radio station antenna structures may not preclude amateur radio communications, must accommodate amateur radio communications, and must constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the purpose of the ordinance.
> 
> 
>     References –
> 
>      - Maryland HB-331 - https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0331?ys=2022RS
> 
>     - Official List of Signed Bills - https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EWS-House-Bills-2022-1.pdf
> 
>      - Maryland Governor’s Announcement - https://governor.maryland.gov/2022/05/27/governor-hogan-announces-additional-legislative-actions-3/
> 
> 
>     Many thanks and appreciation to Maryland Delegates Boteler and Buckel and staff
> 
> 
>     The history of the Regulation of Amateur Radio Station Antenna Structures –
> 
>      - HB0331: 2022 - Delegates Boteler and Buckel
> 
>      - HB0663: 2021 - Delegate Boteler
> 
>      - HB1225: 2020 - Delegates Boteler, Ciliberti, Grammer, and Impallaria
> 
>     - HB1177: 2019 - Delegate Boteler
> 
> 
>     Also posted via our Social Media site –
> 
>      - https://www.facebook.com/ARRLMDC
> 
>      - https://twitter.com/MDCARRL
> 
>      - https://www.arrl.org/sections/view/maryland-dc
> 
> 
>     Send a QSL CARD or LETTER to show appreciation to:
> 
> 
>     Delegate Joseph C. Boteler, III
> 
>     307 Lowe House Office Building
> 
>     6 Bladen Street
> 
>     Annapolis, MD 21401
> 
> 
>     Delegate Jason C. Buckel
> 
>     201 Lowe House Office Building
> 
>     6 Bladen Street
> 
>     Annapolis, MD 21401
> 
> 
>     Thank you again, to our Maryland/DC Amateur Radio community and our served agency partners for your unwavering commitment and support throughout our journey to a successful outcome.
> 
> 
>     Our next endeavor will require your keen awareness of Maryland county and local municipal legislative processes. 
> 
> 
>     The MDC Section staff ask you to join as our LGL – Local Government Liaisons (see- https://www.arrl.org/local-government-liaison); to monitors local government dockets consistently, offers local, organized support quickly when necessary, and is known in the local amateur community as the point man for local government problems.
> 
> 
>     As our MDC LGL you will promote, encourage, and support the HAM community and your local Amateur Radio Clubs / Members in supporting county and local municipal legislative process to assure your Maryland County Executives and municipal legislators abide by and pass local ordinances that provide useful guidance for “Regulation of Amateur Radio Station Antenna Structures.”
> 
> 
>     Please send your HB-331 comments, remarks, queries and volunteer support to my dedicated HB-331 email – mdc22hb331 at earthlink.net mailto:mdc22hb331 at earthlink.net ~ or ~ direct correspondence to kb3mxm at arrl.net mailto:kb3mxm at arrl.net –  TU
> 
> 
>     Please safe and well, 73
> 
> 
> 
>     Martin ‘Marty’ Pittinger KB3MXM
> 
>     Maryland / DC [MDC] Section Manager [SM]
> 
>     ARRL - American Radio Relay League
> 
>     443-326-1783 Ph & Text Msg | KB3MXM at ARRL.net mailto:KB3MXM at ARRL.net
> 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/k3cal/attachments/20220604/52458b36/attachment-0001.html>