Bill Introduced in the Senate to Eliminate Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio
Please read the following. At the bottom of this email I list two easy action items to help get this passed!
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (MS) and Richard Blumenthal (CT) introduced S.3690 on January 30, 2024, the Senate companion bill to H.R.4006, introduced last June. Both bills reflect the Congressional campaign efforts by ARRL to eliminate homeowner association land use restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of an Amateur Radio Operator to install and operate amateur station antennas on residential properties they own.
Amateur Radio Operators repeatedly are relied upon to provide essential communications when disaster strikes, but their ability to do so is being impaired by the exponential growth of residential private land use restrictions that hinder their ability to establish stations in their homes with which to train and provide emergency communications when called upon.
In announcing the introduction of S.3690, Senator Wicker said: “Because communication during natural disasters is often hindered, we should be making every attempt to give folks more options. Reliable access can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. Our legislation removes roadblocks for amateur radio operators looking to help their friends, families, and neighbors.”
In a similar announcement, Senator Blumenthal stated: “Our measure will help clarify the rules so ham radio enthusiasts can successfully continue their communications.
In the face of emergency or crisis, they help provide vital, life-saving information that allow listeners to properly and safely respond, but prohibitive home association rules and confusing approval processes for installing antennas have been an unnecessary impediment. The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act resolves these bottlenecks and ensures that radio operators can function successfully.”
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, and Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, Chair of the ARRL’s Government Affairs Committee, both extended on behalf of ARRL, its Members, and the Amateur Radio community their thanks and appreciation for the leadership of Senator Wicker and Senator Blumenthal in their continuing efforts to support and protect the rights of all Amateur Radio Operators.
How you can help get these bills passed:
1. Contact our US Senators and ask them to support S3690 and give them reasons why they should (grab some out of the information above or give them your own):
Senator Todd Young: Email form: https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd or call the Washington, DC Office: 202.224.5623 or the Indianapolis Office: 317.226.6700
Senator Mike Braun: Email form: https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact/email/ or call the Washington, DC Office: 202.224.4814 or the Indianapolis Office: 317.822.8240
2. Contact your US Representative and ask them to support H.R.4006 and give them reasons why they should (grab some out of the information above or give your own). You can find your US Representative here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Thank you for supporting amateur radio!
David Spoelstra, N9KT
ARRL Indiana State Government Liaison