A big ham radio win in Texas

Hams in the Lone Star State can take comfort in knowing that they have beaten back an attempt by a politician to get BPL turned on - just about everywhere.

Amateur Radio Newsline's Charlie Kosman, WB2NQV, tells us how a group of radio amateurs took on the Texas state political system - and won:

BPL is dead in Texas. Well at least for now.

Last April first, Texas Senator Troy Fraser introduced a bill to allow and encourage the implementation of Broadband over Powerlines in the State of Texas. Senate Bill 1748 originally would have allowed power utilities to install BPL anywhere in the state. The Bill drew criticism in its initial
draft, because it favored TXU, the major power supplier in the state, and other industry providers by letting the companies pass hefty costs of upgrades to their customers while pooling profits.".

In spite of a concerted effort from the Amateur radio community the bill passed the Senate around May 13th using a number of political slight of hand maneuvers. Such as Back on April 21st Senator Fraser added SB 1748 to a
previously posted hearing notice, offering known opponents the minimum possible notice of the public hearing.

The committee, which he chairs, passed the bill out of committee that morning. Those who disagreed with this bill, and made phone calls, sent letters, or E-mail, or who made personal visits with the staff members or the Senators themselves were substantially ignored. One amateur who filled out a witness card in opposition to the bill, and personally appeared when it was originally published on the committee agenda, was not even listed - unlike the witnesses representing the BPL lobby.

Subsequently the passed senate bill, 1748 was sent on to the house of representatives where it was destined to become law.

However thanks to the efforts of newly elected north Texas section manager, Tom Blackwell, N5GAR, Bill Lawless, W5WRL from the west Texas section and south Texas State Government Liaison Jim Robinson, K5PNV, the BPL bill was
relegated to the last slot on the calendar. Additionally, if it did make it to the floor, a series of amendments were ready to scuttle it. As of last Saturday at midnight the time for new bills in the house expired and so did this disastrous piece of legislation.

From Wichita Falls, Texas this is Charlie Kosman, WB2NQV for Newsline.

• Charlie says it was what he termed as the outragous conduct of the state officials in pushing the BPL measure that galvanized the state's ham radio community against it, and lead its the defeat.

WB2NQV, ARNewsline

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