Vol. 148 Tuesday, May 14, 2002 No.61

Representative Steve Israel Introducing the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act"

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act," a bill that seeks to ensure the continued viability of a volunteer public safety resource which has been instrumental in providing our nation emergency communications services during times of disaster and crisis. I am pleased that the gentleman from Oregon, Representative WALDEN, and the gentleman from Texas, Representative SESSIONS are co-sponsors of this bipartisan legislation. Radio amateurs, more commonly known as "ham" operators, provide emergency communications when regular channels are disrupted or disabled. These federally licensed volunteers operate at their own expense in aiding government and private relief agencies. State and local governments, as well as disaster relief agencies, could not possibly afford to replace the services that radio amateurs dependably provide for free. For the hundreds of thousands of amateur radio licensees, there is a growing challenge to their ability to provide these public services.

Developed communities, such as retirement communities and planned unit subdivisions, are an increasingly popular housing option throughout the country that provide a wide range of convenient housing choices. Unfortunately, the governance of these communities has led to inconsistent and at times burdensome regulations on amateur radio operators, making it extremely difficult for these operators to continue providing their valuable services. The legislation I am introducing today will simply ensure consistent application of these regulations.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act is based upon a 1985 ruling by the Federal Communications Commission, which stated that homeowners, seeking to install some form of antenna on their own property, must work with state and local land use officials to determine the most appropriate size antenna. Good faith negotiations ensure that amateur radio operator's technical needs are met, while preserving the aesthetics and interests of a neighborhood.

Under current law, the FCC does not apply this policy consistently. Its policy applies to States and localities, but fails to address situations affecting private land use groups. My bill addresses this issue, and provides amateur radio licensees with the ability to negotiate reasonable accommodation provisions with homeowners' associations, just as they do now with public land-use regulators.

Amateur radio operators provide an invaluable service to our nation, ensuring communication services during emergencies. We must support the efforts of the 650,000 federally licensed amateurs around the country in earnest. The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act will help to protect the vital function of Amateur Radio as an emergency communications and public safety resource, and I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this legislation.