This web page lists information about legislation in progress affecting amateur radio in the State of Hawaii.
This page is currently work in progress. Last update, Feb 12, 7:00 am. Previous updates were Feb 7, 9:30 pm. Feb 8, 7:40 am. 9:50 am. Feb 8, 5:00 pm. Feb 11, 5:00 am.
Updates on email submission procedure included.
House Bill 58 affects amateur radio.
Companion Senate Bill 595 was discovered. No reports on a review filed yet.
Background
This effort started with Mel, WH6UG and David, AH7E bringing to attention the existence of House Bill 58 at 9:00 pm Feb 7, 2009.
A discovery effort is now underway.
Action Plan
The first goal is for amateurs to be educated about this and other bills in the State Legislature. You can search the State Legislature web site.
The second goal is to file testimony on HB 58.
The third goal is to attend hearings on HB 58. The bill was last heard by CPC on Monday, 02-09-09 2:15 PM in House conference room 325.
The State Legislature - House Bill 58
House Bill 58 Allows the board of directors of an association to allow owners to install antennas for amateur radios. Requires a written statement of the reasons for a denial. You can track the status at this link.
On Feb 8, the current language of the bill gives the Board of Directors the authority to approve or deny the installation of amateur radio antennas WITHIN the apartments. Bart, WH6AA suggests testimony describing the positive role of HAMs and urging that the bill be clarified to ensure that rights to antennas not be diminished. Don't ask for specific language to be stricken; rather, ask that it be clarified to accomplish a specific aim. It's not uncommon for the first draft of the bill to be defective.
The bill was heard by CPC on Monday, 02-09-09 2:15 PM in House conference room 325. Dennis, KH7MU and others were present to hear testimony on the bill. You can review written testimony received in this first PDF file and this first PDF file of late submissions.
As of Feb 12, six people testified in writing regarding the proposed text and as to how it affects your interior space. The nature of the bill can change at any time and in any direction, so it is important that the committee members know your views, as it DOES influence the next steps. If you are concerned about this bill in its current form potentially denying you the right to have amateur radio antennas within your apartment, you should make your views known in written testimony. You can read the submitted testimony to get a sense of the range of views and approaches.
Note that this is part of the legislative process. There will be three hearings in the House Committee, and assuming it passes, it'll go to the House Chamber for a vote. The bill will cross-over to the Senate, for review and work on their side. Assuming that passes, there will be a joint committee of House and Senate members working on a combined bill. Assuming that passes the joint committee, it'll be presented to both the House and the Senate for each chamber to pass. It is this final version that is then presented to the Governor for her review, signature, veto or non-signature and let it become law. This is just a high level overview, so we must keep up-to-date on the progress of the legislation.
The State Legislature - Senate Bill 595
Ron, AH6RH discovered the companion Senate Bill 595. House Bill 595. Allows the board of directors of an association to allow owners to install antennas for amateur radios. Requires a written statement of the reasons for a denial. You can track the status at this link. On Jan 28, the bill was referred to CPN.
Web Submission Procedure
Bart, WH6AA reports a much easier way to submit testimony than those previously described. You can directly upload it at: this link. Bart believes the best way is to upload a pdf file. (There are several free pdf makers available, as well as plugins for MS WORD. Or use Open Office. Bart supposes it will take doc files as well, not sure as he haven't tried that.)
A copy of your testimony is emailed back to you within the hour
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
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