[South Florida DX Association] ARLB014 US Senate version of Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act Introduced

[Bill Marx]

 ZCZC AG14
> QST de W1AW  
> ARRL Bulletin 14  ARLB014
> From ARRL Headquarters  
> Newington CT  June 17, 2005
> To all radio amateurs 
> 
> SB QST ARL ARLB014
> ARLB014 US Senate version of Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act
> Introduced
> 
> A US Senate version of the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of
> 2005 has been introduced with bipartisan support in the 109th
> Congress. Sen Michael Crapo of Idaho sponsored the measure, S 1236,
> on June 14. The wording of the bill is identical to the House
> version, HR 691, introduced earlier this year by Rep Michael
> Bilirakis of Florida. Joining Crapo as cosponsors of the Senate bill
> were Senators Christopher Bond of Missouri, Max Baucus and Conrad
> Burns of Montana, and Daniel Akaka of Hawaii. The bill has been
> referred to the US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation
> Committee of which Burns is a member. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ,
> said the League is pleased that Crapo has agreed to once again
> sponsor this legislation at ARRL's urging.
> 
> "We are grateful for Sen Crapo's demonstration of support by
> introducing the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2005,"
> Sumner said. "His sponsorship of this bill shows his appreciation
> for the value and utility of Amateur Radio to the US public,
> especially in times of emergency."
> 
> Like previous versions of the proposal, the House and Senate
> measures would require the FCC to provide "equivalent replacement
> spectrum" to the Amateur Radio and Amateur-Satellite services in the
> event of reallocation to other services of primary amateur spectrum
> or the diminution of secondary amateur spectrum. The bill also would
> cover additional allocations within Amateur Radio bands that "would
> substantially reduce" their utility to Amateur Service licensees.
> 
> In a letter this week, ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, also
> thanked Crapo continued support for the Spectrum Protection Act. "As
> you know, this legislation is vital for ensuring that the Amateur
> Radio Service, the only 100 percent fail-safe emergency
> communication capability, remains a viable public safety option,"
> Haynie said. "The ARRL looks forward to working with you on
> successfully passing this legislation during the 109th Congress," he
> said.
> 
> The legislation references Amateur Radio's role in providing
> "voluntary, noncommercial radio service, particularly emergency
> communications," and it points out that hams have "consistently and
> reliably" provided communication support in the event of emergencies
> and disasters including tornadoes and hurricanes, chemical spills,
> forest fires and rail accidents. As the measure notes, FCC actions
> already have led to the loss of at least 107 MHz of spectrum to
> radio amateurs.
> 
> Efforts will continue--now in both chambers of Congress--to attract
> additional cosponsors for S 1236 and HR 691. The League encourages
> its members to urge their congressional representatives and senators
> to sign aboard. There's more information on the ARRL Web site at,
> http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/06/17/5/.
> NNNN
> /EX
> 
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