The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 — H.R. 1301 and S. 1685 — now has the support of 100 members of the US House of Representatives. Two additional cosponsors signed onto H.R. 1301 on September 24, raising the number of cosponsors to 99. Those members plus the House bill’s sponsor, US Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), total 100 proponents, and the number is expected to continue growing. 

One of the newcomers agreeing to cosponsor H.R. 1301 was the congressman who represents the Connecticut House district that includes ARRL Headquarters — Rep John Larson (D-CT). The other new cosponsor was Rep Kristi L. Noem (R-SD)

The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land use restrictions. Kinzinger introduced H.R. 1301 in March, with 12 original cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced S. 1685 in June, with Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as the original cosponsor.

Recently the League took steps to address objections and concerns raised by representatives of community associations about the legislation. “Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity,” makes it clear that the bill would not create new federal policy with respect to outdoor amateur antennas. As it points out, the FCC already recognizes a strong federal interest in effective Amateur Radio communication from residences and has adopted a limited preemption of state and local regulation of Amateur Radio antennas. The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 would extend the limited preemption to private land-use restrictions.

H.R. 1301 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), chairs that panel’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which will consider the measure. S 1685 has been referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, chaired by Sen Wicker, the bill’s sponsor.

The ARRL continues to encourage members to write their US House and Senate members urging their cosponsorship of the legislation. Visit the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 page for information on how you can get involved.