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ARLB021 Ad Hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee to Meet with Lawmakers

ZCZC AG21
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 21  ARLB021
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  September 20, 2019
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB021
ARLB021 Ad Hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee to Meet with Lawmakers

ARRL's Ad Hoc Legislative Advisory Committee will meet with several
members of Congress later this month in Washington to introduce new
Committee members, reacquaint the lawmakers with Amateur Radio's
most-pressing issues, seek their input on the best ways to achieve
ARRL's objectives in Congress, and request their continuing support.
Committee members have completed a comprehensive analysis of Amateur
Radio Parity Act deficiencies for dissemination to Amateur Radio's
backers on The Hill. The panel now is following up on this process
with the meetings later this month.

The Committee has contracted with The Keelen Group to provide advice
and recommendations regarding ARRL's legislative relationships.
Keelen Group advisors also will aid in organizing and guiding the
meetings between ARRL representatives and key congressional allies
in support of Amateur Radio initiatives.

On June 12, the Legislative Advisory Committee held the first of a
series of meetings in DC with ARRL Washington Counsel David Siddall,
K3ZJ, The Keelen Group, and a small contingent of radio amateurs
associated with various governmental and nongovernmental partners to
solicit their perspectives and assistance in charting a future
course of action. Pacific Division Director and Committee Chair Jim
Tiemstra, K6JAT, described these individuals as "critical allies in
ARRL's efforts to achieve its legislative objectives."

The process of analyzing and clarifying ARRL's aims began when the
Committee was reconstituted with new members at the ARRL Board of
Directors' January meeting. The Board had determined a need to
"review, reexamine, and reappraise the ARRL's regulatory and
legislative policy with regard to private land-use restrictions,"
with the aim of renewing, continuing, and strengthening ARRL's
effort to achieve relief from such restrictions.

"There seems to be no countervailing policy that could justify
arbitrary conditions, covenants and restrictions," Tiemstra said.
"Indeed, public policy should clearly favor the needs of the Amateur
Radio operator."

Amateur Radio's role in public service and emergency communication
will be the Committee's strongest argument in seeking relief from
private land-use restrictions that limit amateurs' ability to
operate effectively.

The Committee will analyze the outcomes of this month's meetings and
draft a report with recommendations for the ARRL Executive Committee
to review and consider at its October 12 meeting. The full Board is
expected to take up the issue at its January 2020 meeting.
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