[RFI] ARRL Board of Directors resolution related to FCC enforcement of radio-interference issues

[Hare, Ed W1RFI]

This is from the minutes of the July 2015 meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors:

39. On motion of Mr. Frenaye, seconded by Mr. Isely, the following resolution was ADOPTED:

Whereas, there exist unacceptably high numbers of long-outstanding interference cases in the Amateur Radio Service, most notably in the areas of RFI from power lines; RFI from Part 15 and 18 lighting devices; malicious interference to net operations at HF; and malicious interference by unlicensed and licensed individuals to VHF and UHF repeaters; and

Whereas, effective FCC enforcement in our Service requires timely, visible FCC involvement in these cases, which has not been the case in recent years; and

Whereas, FCC has very recently made what ARRL views as ill-advised, very substantial cuts in its field office locations and staffing, which will inevitably, absent other offsetting changes, have
a further adverse effect on the responsiveness of FCC's Enforcement Bureau in the area of Amateur Radio enforcement, starting immediately;

Now, therefore it is: 

Resolved, that substantial, timely improvement in enforcement is an issue of the highest urgency. The Chief Executive Officer, staff and General Counsel are directed to develop and, under the supervision of the Executive Committee, execute a plan to improve timely and visible enforcement in the Amateur Radio Service. This plan will include (but not be limited to) identification of the most urgent enforcement cases; summarizing evidentiary input to FCC to date in each case; presenting these summaries to FCC Enforcement Bureau staff and FCC
Commissioners; other Federal agencies with jurisdiction over rule violation instances; and as necessary, Congressional oversight authorities; and urging the fast, timely resolution of the cases. The plan will also include plans for improved publicity of enforcement actions which are not being effectively publicized by FCC itself; options for providing ARRL resources in the direct resolution of individual cases; and plans to cause FCC to make effective and direct use of evidentiary materials gathered by volunteers in the Amateur Service.