U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) on June 12 sponsored bipartisan legislation that would govern private land use restrictions on amateur radio.
The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, H.R. 4006, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), would remove barriers to disaster and emergency communications and training, and promote education in STEM subjects related to critically needed wireless technology, said Rep. Johnson on Monday.
“Passage of this bill will promote developing and sustaining our nation’s wireless future and facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit,” he said.
Existing federal law provides for the installation of TV broadcast and wireless internet antennas and satellite dishes at private homes, but amateur radio antennas are not included in the statute as currently written, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Johnson’s office that noted H.R. 4006 would correct this situation.
“As their actions during recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a critical component of disaster response and emergency management,” said Rep. Courtney. “It is in our communities’ best interest that we give them the capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the re-introduction of this bill, we’ve taken a strong step in that direction.”
Rick Roderick, K5UR, president of the American Radio Relay League, the National Association For Amateur Radio, endorsed the measure, which is under consideration in the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.