[nrv-hams] Fwd: Senate Bill # 860

Tue Jan 10 10:18:23 EST 2017

Most appreciative, Ron! THANKS!!!
73,

Carter

-----Original Message-----
From: nrv-hams [mailto:nrv-hams-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron Angert
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2017 5:47 PM
To: nrv-hams at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [nrv-hams] Fwd: Senate Bill # 860

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 ______________________________________________________________
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