Very soon, the California State Assembly will be
voting on AB1222, an amendment to the Law that was
enacted January 1, 2017, that made mobile radio
operations illegal in this state.
Many of the assembly members are laboring under the
assumption that the language contained in AB1222
(present form), sufficiently resolves the issue and
excludes two way mobile radio operations from the law
that was enacted January 1, 2017 (AB1785). The
Assembly in general may think the problem is solved.
IT
IS NOT, and we have
sent communications to all 80 California State
Assembly members on this issue, voicing our concerns
that the language of AB1222 does not go far enough,
insofar as completely clarifying and excluding mobile
radio devices with corded microphones from enforcement
to the existing law.
In
the current bill as amended, the use of
a "handheld device" (a microphone for example),
can be cause for a citation, while operating a
mobile radio while driving.
At this point, we have carried the effort about as
far as we can. It is now time for all registered
voters and parties of interest in the State of
California to now become involved in this matter.
We are asking that commencing this Monday, May 8,
2017, you contact your respective State Assembly
Member (phone calls are preferred), and express your
support for the Amendment to AB1222, that is being
proposed by our ad hoc Organization: " Amateur Radio
Operators of California - Change.org.
(You
do not need to be a licensed radio amateur to call
and voice your support for our proposed
amendment. Your family, friends, and
neighbors can do this too!!!)
Please go to the following link for information on
locating your Assembly Member's contact information
and telephone number. There is also a short "script"
that you can use when speaking with the receptionist,
or other staffer, when you politely ask for their
support of our amendment language:
Earlier today, we heard back from a ham who
called his rep... " I
just talked to my Assembly person office in Sac. He
said that the Bill WAS rewritten to specifically not
include HAM and two way radios..."
Again,
the current amendment to the Bill is ambiguous and
needs further clarification, which we have already
provided in writing to all 80 Assembly Members.
Our proposed edits can also be found on our
website.
If
there are any questions, please don't hesitate to
contact us.
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