SB QST @ ARL $ARLB003
ARLB003 Senate Bill S.3690 Introduced to Eliminate Private Land Use
Restrictions on Amateur Radio
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ARRL Bulletin 3 ARLB003
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT February 15, 2024
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB003
ARLB003 Senate Bill S.3690 Introduced to Eliminate Private Land Use
Restrictions on Amateur Radio
On January 30, 2024, US Senators Roger Wicker (MS) and Richard
Blumenthal (CT) introduced S.3690, the Senate companion bill to
H.R.4006, introduced last June. Both bills reflect the Congressional
campaign efforts by the 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.
The text of bill S.3690 can be found at,
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3690/text .
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.
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