Vermont Governor Signs Amateur Radio Antenna Bill
NEWINGTON, CT, June 7, 2006--Vermont Gov Jim Douglas has
signed Amateur Radio antenna legislation that puts the language of the limited
federal preemption known as PRB-1 into the Green Mountain State's statutes. Vermont is the 23rd state to adopt an Amateur Radio antenna law.
"Today we reached a milestone in Vermont Amateur Radio history,"
exulted David Cain, W1DEC, on May 30. "PRB-1 is now officially codified into Vermont's statutes." Cain chaired the PRB-1 Committee and serves as Vermont ARRL State
Government Liaison. "To all of you who worked so hard on this a hearty 'thank you'
and 'well done!'"
ARRL New England Division Vice Director Mike Raisbeck,
K1TWF, offered his congratulations to all involved in seeing the bill through. "This
is a major achievement for Vermont, the New England Division and the hobby," he
said. The legislation, H.12, cleared Vermont's General Assembly on May 10.
The new law requires local ordinances to comply with
§97.15(b) "by allowing for the erection of an Amateur Radio antenna or an
Amateur Radio antenna support structure at a height and dimension sufficient to
accommodate Amateur Radio Service communications."
Cain notes that a PRB-1 bill has been in the General
Assembly hopper in Vermont for more than three years. "Hard work and
persistence paid off," he said, noting that lawmakers "recognized the value of
ham radio and the need for reasonable accommodation."
Section 1 of the bill declares it Vermont policy "that
Amateur Radio use and Amateur Radio antennas and support structures protect and
promote the public interest by providing important communications support to
both government and the public during times of emergency when other
communications infrastructure is disabled or overburdened and by presenting the
public with an opportunity for public service, self-training, communications
and technical investigation."
Language in the original Vermont antenna bill outlined a
schedule of minimum regulatory heights, below which localities could not impose
restrictions. That language did not survive the legislative process, however.
The legislation that did pass also provides for the
Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) to report to the House and
Senate committees on government operations "concerning municipal permitting and
siting of Amateur Radio antennas and Amateur Radio antenna structures and
municipal compliance with state statutes."
In developing its report, DHCA "shall consult with
representatives" of Vermont's Amateur Radio community and include their
recommendations and input in its report to the General Assembly.
Page last modified: 10:27 AM, 07 Jun 2006 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2006, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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