[SFDXA] Possible Mobile Operating Legislation - Florida

[Pete Rimmel N8PR]

The text below is taken from another ham who sent this to me.

We need to be aware that hams in Florida may loose the privilege of operating mobile.

There is a bill in committees of both the State of Florida House and Senate to eliminate the
portion of the text which would allow a ham radio operator to operate mobile.  It additionally
names it as a class one violation which is a serious offense, right up there with texting while driving.
(They are adding putting on make-up and other distractions as well)

With over 42 thousand ham radio operators in the State of Florida, many of whom activate
every time there is a hurricane threat, we need to convince the lawmakers that an exemption 
is appropriate and necessary for the safety of the State.  The Governor of Florida recently
praised the many hams who came out after Hurricane Irma (and others in the past)
when we were the ONLY means of communication when the cel/internet system and fire/police systems
were completely knocked out.  

Many in other states may not be aware that at every Hurricane threat, hams go to hospitals, 
EOC offices, the National Weather Service and neighborhood shelters in order to be there if and when
the need arises for their help in communications throughout the State and farther.  Others, with
their mobile stations can go to any place needed to assist until commercial means of 
communication has been re-established.  Without Mobile stations available the 
possibility of this type of help is greatly diminished. 

Please help the State of Florida add an exception to the upcoming changes in the law so that
ham radio operators may be prepared to assist when needed. 

We may even need help from the ARRL attorneys to work with the Senate and House in order to 
properly word the exception. 

Please contact your local State representatives and let them know that we do a service to
the community in times of need.  Links to their offices are in the text below. 

Thank you and 73, 

Peter Rimmel
ARRL Technical Specialist

(NOTE: some wording of the following has been changed to make the text apply to the entire State)

From: KW1K Joe Pfeuffer 


Hello  Florida Hams! There is something brewing that everyone who
operates a mobile 2-way radio should know… Text courtesy of Dave,
N9HF. Edited for clarity.


“As you, all may, or may not be aware of, the friendly senators and representatives in

Tallahassee are in the process of making texting or doing other
distracting things while driving a motor vehicle a stoppable (primary)
offense. We have all heard the stories from other states about how
operating ham radio (or other two-way mobile radios) got sucked into the fray
and the hams had to go through major hassles to get us exempted from the
legal definition.

If the wording stands as “other distractions” we will be at the

mercy of every [Law Enforcement Officer’s] interpretation of

“distracting”.

NOTE: the exception is there in the law, now, but has been targeted for elimination (PR)


Contact your representatives and ask that the wording of the bill be

such as to expressly exempt “AMATEUR RADIO!”


Republican Senator Wilton Simpson is the one who is pushing this bill.

Simpson, who has been a member of the Florida Senate since 2012,

represents the 10th District, which includes Citrus, Hernando and part

of Pasco County. Previously, he represented the 18th District from 2012

to 2016.


I recommend everyone contact their representative and tell them that

Amateur Radio and other two-way radios need to be exempted from this

bill!  You can find your Senate representative by going to

http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/#Senators and search for your county.


Florida House representatives Jackie Toledo and House Speaker Jose Oliva

are promising that a similar House bill that hasn’t been heard in

committee yet, will get a hearing. I would also recommend you contact

you House representative and tell them to make sure Amateur Radio and

other two-way radios need to be exempted from this bill! You can find

your House representative by going to

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx

and search for your county.


The Senate bill is listed as CS/CS/SB 76 or S 76, sponsored by Senator

Wilton Simpson.  The House bill is listed as HB 107, sponsored by Jackie

Toledo.


Please feel free to forward this!


Thank you!


73,


Kevin Bess - KK4BFN

ARRL North Florida Section Manager