The following story will be going on the website shortly.

The study called for in the bill is not quite what we have been seeking. We have looking for the study to be done by DHS. However, there was a jurisdictional problem with getting that through the subcommittee since it has oversight over the FCC but not DHS.

Of course, it remains to be seen what the fate of the bill will be in the Senate. At this point Section 4205 is a bit like a flea riding on the back of an elephant.

Dave K1ZZ

House-Passed Payroll Tax Bill Includes Amateur Radio Study

H.R. 3630, the bill to extend the payroll tax reduction that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday night, December 13, includes among its many other provisions the “Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act” or “JOBS Act” that passed the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on December 1. The JOBS Act makes up Title IV of H.R. 3630 and includes the following:

SEC. 4205. STUDY ON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BY AMATEUR RADIO AND IMPEDIMENTS TO AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS.

(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the [Federal Communications] Commission, in consultation with the Office of Emergency Communications in the Department of Homeland Security, shall--

(1) complete a study on the uses and capabilities of amateur radio service communications in emergencies and disaster relief; and

(2) submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of such study.

(b) Contents- The study required by subsection (a) shall include--

(1)(A) a review of the importance of emergency amateur radio service communications relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States; and

(B) recommendations for--

(i) enhancements in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio operators in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and

(ii) improved integration of amateur radio operators in the planning and furtherance of initiatives of the Federal Government; and

(2)(A) an identification of impediments to enhanced amateur radio service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use restrictions on residential antenna installations; and

(B) recommendations regarding the removal of such impediments.

(c) Expertise- In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Commission shall use the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities.

Such a study has long been sought by the ARRL.

H.R. 3630 is now up for consideration in the Senate where its prospects for passage are dimmed by the inclusion of a controversial provision concerning a pipeline project.