[SFDXA] S. 1685, the Amateur Radio Parity Act (ARPA) passed out of committee

[Bill]

S. 1685, the Amateur Radio Parity Act (ARPA) passed out of committee 
in the Senate today. While it still has a long process to go through to
reach a vote in the full Senate, this is a significant milestone.

Our Division has two Senators on the committee that voted on the 
bill today, both from Florida. Florida members were asked to contact their
Senators to ask for support and thank you to the hundreds that 
did! Unfortunately Senator Rubio was not present for today's vote.

Senator Nelson was one of only two Senators voting AGAINST our 
bill. (The other Senator voting NO was from HI.) Thanks go to a member 
in SFL who transcribed Senator Nelson's comments during the hearing:

**********"I would also like to mention the Amateur Radio Parity Act.

While I have great respect for Senators Blumenthal and Wicker, I 
must oppose this bill today.

Amateur radio plays an important role in enhancing public 
safety communication, and I encourage communities to work with amateur radio
operators to find ways to further these services.

This bill before us, though, would effectively repeal parts of 
millions of private contracts and agreements relied upon by homeowners 
around the
country.

This committee would be overriding guidelines that were established 
– and agreed to – by residents of a community when they 
voluntarily choose to live in that community.  This is a step too 
far."**********

If you live in Florida, you might want to POLITELY advise Senator Nelson 
of your disappointment with both his vote and his statement and urge him 
to reconsider his position.

We still have a long battle in both the House and Senate. If you haven't 
already contacted your Representative and Senators to ask for their 
support of the Amateur Radio Parity Act, please do so immediately.

More information on the ARPA, including information on how to 
contact your Senators and Representative,  can be found at: 
http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act

73 de
Doug
K4AC

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ARRL Southeastern Division
Director: Doug Rehman, K4AC
k4ac at arrl.org <mailto:k4ac at arrl.org>