Ham radio antenna bills introduced
in two northeast states
Amateur Radio antenna legislation has been proposed in New Jersey and
Connecticut. Introduced January 10, the New Jersey measure, Assembly Bill
3641 (A3641) is sponsored by District 22 Assemblywoman Linda Stender.
It's virtually identical to a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Matthew Ahearn,
KB2PNN, that failed to make it through the state's last legislative session.
The new legislation would incorporate the essence of the limited federal
preemption known as PRB-1 into the Garden State's law books.
Northern New Jersey ARRL Section Manager Bill Hudzik, W2UDT, said the
state's PRB-1 group plans to meet with lawmakers this month in Trenton.
"Please remember, the bill's passage is not a given, and we all
must continue to put Amateur Radio in the best possible light--as many
clubs did during this past Field Day--whenever we can," Hudzik exhorted
members on the NNJ Section Web site. "And there will continue to
be opposition
from local governments who may view the bill as a threat to home rule."
Hudzik thanked Bob Bednard, KA8SAF, with helping to coordinate the bill's
introduction with Stender's office.
ARRL Southern New Jersey SM Jean Priestley, KA2YKN, also alerted her
section's members via the SNJ Section Web site. "We are back in business
and need to work on developing cosponsors and supporters," she said.
"There is lots of work to do on this in the coming year, so sharpen
those
pencils."
A3641 has been referred to the Assembly Housing and Local Government
Committee. The proposed law would keep municipalities from adopting zoning
ordinances that prohibit construction or use of antenna structures by
Amateur Radio operators. It also would require that any application fees
be in line with those generally assessed for residential neighborhood
variances. The New Jersey bill also would prevent localities assessing
applicants for legal, technical or other consultation or advisory expenses
incurred by any agency evaluating an antenna support structure application.
In Connecticut's General Assembly, an antenna bill has been introduced
in the Senate by 6th District Sen Donald J. DeFronzo. If approved by the
Senate and House of Representatives, the measure, Senate Bill No 92 (SB
92), would require municipal regulation of Amateur Radio antenna structures
to comply with the limitations on local regulation spelled out in PRB-1.
"To allow amateur radio station antenna structures to be erected
at proper heights and dimensions to accommodate amateur radio communication
and otherwise reasonably accommodate amateur radio service communications,"
says the bill's Statement of Purpose. SB 92 has been referred to the General
Assembly's Joint Committee on Energy and Technology.
To date, 21 states have adopted PRB-1 bills, and laws in some of those
states include a schedule of minimum regulatory heights for Amateur Radio
antenna structures.
A PRB-1 bill has also been introduced in Vermont, and
ARRL anticipates similar measures to be introduced in other states as
legislative sessions get under way around the US.
For more information on PRB-1, visit the ARRL
PRB-1 Package page.
The FCC discusses PRB-1 on its Web
site.
Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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