Two Hams in US House, HR 4720 Sponsor, Most Cosponsors Survive Election
NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 6, 2002--The only two Amateur Radio operators in the US House of Representatives as well as the sponsor and most cosponsors of the CC&R bill, HR 4720, were returned to office in this week's mid-term election. HR 4720 sponsor, Rep Steve Israel--a New York Democrat--beat back a challenge from Joseph P. Finley in that state's second congressional district. An original HR 4720 cosponsor, Texas Republican Rep Pete Sessions, of the 32nd congressional district, defeated Democratic challenger Pauline K. Dixon.
Elsewhere, Rep Greg Walden, WB7OCE, an Oregon Republican, handily won re-election in a three-way race in that state's second congressional district. Also re-elected was Arkansas fourth-district Democrat, Rep Mike Ross, WD5DVR, who defeated Republican Jay Dickey for another term. Walden and Ross are both HR 4720 cosponsors and the only hams in Congress.
Of the 34 HR 4720 cosponsors signed on to date, only three won't be back in January when the new Congress convenes. Although Rep Patsy Mink, the Hawaii Democrat died September 28, her name remained on the ballot, and she defeated Republican Bob McDermott. A special election will be held to fill the vacancy. Another cosponsor, Rep Bob Schaffer, a Colorado Republican, did not seek a new term, and a third, Rep Constance Morella, a Maryland Republican, was defeated for re-election by Democrat Christopher Van Hollen.
Although at least one "lame duck" session of Congress is scheduled between now and the time the new Congress convenes, action on HR 4720--"The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act"--is considered highly unlikely. Technically, the measure remains alive until Congress formally adjourns. The post-election session gets under way November 12 to complete several appropriations, homeland security and other high-profile bills. Another lame duck session in December also is possible.
ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has called HR 4720 "probably the most important thing the League has done in a long time." Haynie has said the effort to secure a congressional solution to the issue of CC&Rs--deed convenants, conditions and restrictions as they affect the ability of amateurs to erect outdoor antenna systems--will re-start after the new Congress is gaveled into session in January. The measure will be reintroduced and get a new number, and the process of garnering cosponsors will start over. Haynie has predicted that current HR 4720 cosponsors will stick with the bill.
The measure was referred to the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee, to which Walden was appointed. It would require private land-use regulators--such as homeowners' associations--to "reasonably accommodate" Amateur Radio communication consistent with the PRB-1 limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and municipalities.
For more information, visit the HR 4720, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act of 2002 page on the ARRL Web site.
Page last modified: 06:03 PM, 06 Nov 2002 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2002, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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