[nrv-hams] Fwd: Senate Bill # 860

Mon Jan 9 17:47:21 EST 2017

FYI, It looks like amateur radio will get added.... Our system in action!

Ron N4AJT

Ron Angert <http://theotherjew.blogspot.com/> in Beautiful Southwest
Virginia

"Life is a spiritual journey, whether you believe it or not, and whether
you are 'spiritual' or not." Tina "  *“Out Beyond Ideas Of Wrongdoing And
Rightdoing, There Is A Field. I Will Meet You There.” ― Rumi*   "You cannot
create experience, you must undergo it." Albert Camus

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joseph R Yost <DelJYost at house.virginia.gov>
Date: Mon, Jan 9, 2017 at 4:29 PM
Subject: RE: Senate Bill # 860
To: Ron Angert <rangert at gmail.com>, senate district21/Senate <
district21 at senate.virginia.gov>
Cc: "Craigie, Carter" <carter128 at verizon.net>

Good afternoon, Ron---

Thank you for your email and concerns regarding SB860.  I spoke to the
patron this afternoon and he is open and willing to including amateur radio
operation as an exception.  I hope this help clears things up for you.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Best wishes,

Joseph

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

*Delegate Joseph R. Yost, MA*

12th House of Delegates District

519 Wenonah Avenue

Pearisburg, Virginia 24134

District Offce: (540) 922-8032

Richmond Office: (804) 698-1012 (*session only*)

http://www.yostfordelegate.com

*From:* Ron Angert [mailto:rangert at gmail.com]
*Sent:* Sunday, January 8, 2017 8:45 PM
*To:* senate district21/Senate <district21 at senate.virginia.gov>
*Cc:* Joseph R Yost <DelJYost at house.virginia.gov>; Craigie, Carter <
carter128 at verizon.net>
*Subject:* Senate Bill # 860

Mr. Edwards and Mr. Yost,

I include Mr. Yost in case this bill makes it to his chamber without this
change, or if there is a similar bill authored by delegates.  I am an
amateur radio operator and involved in emergency management in my community
and recognize that the cadre of trained ham radio operators as a valuable
resource for our communities in times of disaster and for communications
during large public events like parades, bicycle rides/races on public
roads, emergency exercises and search and rescue operations.  Regular
operation in fixed and mobile situations serves to sharpen skills and
assure the gear is in proper operational condition.

Senate Bill # 860 aims to increase traffic safety by preventing the use
of two way radio while operating a motor vehicle. The bill as you can read
below----shows an exception for citizens band radio and other special
equipment and situations-------HOWEVER IT DOES NOT EXEMPT AMATEUR RADIO
OPERATION.

I request that you consider MODIFYING the wording in Senate Bill #860
-----TO INCLUDE AMATEUR RADIO IN ADDITION TO CITIZENS BAND RADIO AS AN
EXCEPTION IN ITEM B-5, AS NOTED IN THIS EXISTING BILL.

Thank you for your consideration,

Ron Angert N4AJT (Giles County)

SENATE BILL NO. 860
Offered January 11, 2017
Prefiled December 7, 2016
A BILL to amend and reenact 46.2-1078.1 of the Code of Virginia,
relating to hands-free operation of handheld personal communications
devices in motor vehicles; exceptions; penalty.
----------
Patrons-- Surovell; Delegate: Kory
----------
Referred to Committee on Transportation
----------
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That ? 46.2-1078.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted
as follows:
? 46.2-1078.1. Use of handheld personal communications devices in
certain motor vehicles; exceptions; penalty.
A. It is unlawful for any person to operate a moving motor vehicle on
the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal
communications device to: unless the handheld personal communications
device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice and
hands-free operation and the device is being used in that manner
1. Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as a means of
communicating with another person; or
2. Read any email or text message transmitted to the device or stored
within the device, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to
any name or number stored within the device nor to any caller
identification information.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
1. The operator of any emergency vehicle while he is engaged in the
performance of his official duties;
2. An operator who is lawfully parked or stopped;
3. The use of factory-installed or aftermarket global positioning
systems (GPS) or wireless communications devices used to transmit or
receive data as part of a digital dispatch system; or
4. The use of a handheld personal communications device for purposes of
navigation or generating audio transmission, provided that such device
is physically mounted to a vehicle;
*5. The use of a citizens band radio; or*
6. Any person using a handheld personal communications device to report
an emergency.
C. A violation of this section is shall be punishable as follows:
1. As a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine
of $125 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $250; or
2. If such offense occurs concurrently with an additional traffic
offense set forth in Title 18.2 or 46.2, or a valid local ordinance
governing traffic, or proximately results in an accident, it shall be
punishable as reckless driving as set forth in ? 46.2-868.
D. For the purposes of this section, "emergency vehicle" means:
1. Any law-enforcement vehicle operated by or under the direction of a
federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer while engaged in the
performance of official duties;
2. Any regional detention center vehicle operated by or under the
direction of a correctional officer responding to an emergency call or
operating in an emergency situation;
3. Any vehicle used to fight fire, including publicly owned state
forest warden vehicles, when traveling in response to a fire alarm or
emergency call;
4. Any emergency medical services vehicle designed or used for the
principal purpose of supplying resuscitation or emergency medical
services relief where human life is endangered;
5. Any Department of Emergency Management vehicle or Office of
Emergency Medical Services vehicle, when responding to an emergency
call or operating in an emergency situation;
6. Any Department of Corrections vehicle designated by the Director of
the Department of Corrections, when (i) responding to an emergency call
at a correctional facility, (ii) participating in a drug-related
investigation, (iii) pursuing escapees from a correctional facility, or
(iv) responding to a request for assistance from a law-enforcement
officer; and
7. Any vehicle authorized to be equipped with alternating, blinking, or
flashing red or red and white secondary warning lights pursuant to ?
46.2-1029.2.
D. E. Distracted driving shall be included as a part of the driver's
license knowledge examination.

Ron Angert <http://theotherjew.blogspot.com/> in Beautiful Southwest
Virginia

"Life is a spiritual journey, whether you believe it or not, and whether
you are 'spiritual' or not." Tina "  *“Out Beyond Ideas Of Wrongdoing And
Rightdoing, There Is A Field. I Will Meet You There.” ― Rumi*   "You cannot
create experience, you must undergo it." Albert Camus