I just got an email today about proposed legislation SB74 (Senate Bill) that would significantly restrict the MOBILE use of Amateur Radio. I have sent an email to my Delegate and State Senator asking this be amended to completely exempt Amateur Radio. Please note CB radios ARE exempt. Andy W4KDN Here is the Bill tracking. http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+ful+SB74 B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to: 1. The operator of any emergency vehicle while he is engaged in the performance of his official duties; 2. An operator who is lawfully parked or stopped; 3. The use of factory-installed or aftermarket global positioning systems (GPS) or wireless communications devices used to transmit or receive data as part of a digital dispatch system; or 4. The use of a handheld personal communications device for purposes of navigation or generating audio transmission, provided that such device is physically mounted to the vehicle; 5. The use of a citizens band radio; 6. Vehicles used or operated by federally licensed amateur radio operators (i) while participating in emergency communications or drills on behalf of federal, state, or local authorities or (ii) to provide communications services to localities in the Commonwealth for public service events, including marathons, footraces, or activities authorized by the Department of Transportation or the locality in which the event is being conducted; 7. An operator who activates, deactivates, or initiates a factory-installed feature or function on the vehicle; or 8. Any person using a handheld personal communications device to report an emergency. C. A violation of this section is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $125 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $250.
SB74 is on the docket to be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee this Wednesday 17JAN. Contacting your VA State Senator is very important if we as a community want to keep our privilege of legally operating amateur radio while mobile. On the committee are Senators Carrico (Chairman), Newman, Deeds, Marsden, Favola, Cosgrove, Edwards, Wexton, DeSteph, Chase, Suetterlein, McClellan, & Peake. --- Also to be watched (and worded/focused suspiciously similarly to SB74): HB177 (No exemption under 1B for ham/amateur radio) HB180 (No exemption under 1B for ham/amateur radio) HB1384 (1B4 criminalizes the use of a portable/HT while driving). The first two of these House Bills have been referred to the House Courts of Justice Committee while the third is still waiting on referral. The House Courts of Justice Committee meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Today's meeting (15JAN) is organizational with no bills being discussed, however, these bills may be heard as early as 17JAN. Please contact your VA State Delagate & Senator so that we can keep mobile operation legal. Ryan - KG4IFE
You may want to contact Mitch W1SJ, who led the successful fight against such a restriction in Vermont. And got the hobby a lot of positive press in the process!!
