House approves bipartisan Kinzinger bill to enhance amateur radio communications

The House of Representatives approved legislation on Monday that U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced to make it easier for amateur radio operators to communicate with each other.

The Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to amend regulations that restrict amateur radio operators in some areas of the country.

“(Monday’s) vote takes us another step closer to ensuring amateur radio operators throughout the country are able to effectively communicate with one another,” Kinzinger said. “I’ve personally used amateur radio through the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) while flying overseas, and know firsthand the importance of having the lines of communication open and available in this system.”

Kinzinger introduced the bill in March 2015, with the House Energy and Commerce Committee advancing the measure in July of this year.

“In times of emergency, when all other forms of communications have failed, this legislation ensures that amateur radio operators will now have the means to utilize this vital and lifesaving function,” Kinzinger said. “These operators serve as the last line of defense for the communications of our first responders and it’s important that we support them.”

U.S Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said that amateur radio plays an important role in emergency response, especially when traditional communication networks fail.

“This bill is further testament of this committee’s ongoing bipartisan record of success,” Upton said.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), the lead cosponsor of the bill, said that he was “excited” with the bipartisan support the measure received in the House.

“As their actions during Hurricane Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a critical component of disaster response,” Courtney said. “It is in our communities’ best interest that we give them the capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the passage of this bill, we’ve taken a strong step in that direction.”