SB QST @ ARL $ARLB063
ARLB063 Legislation moves forward
 
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QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 63  ARLB063
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  July 19, 1994
To all radio amateurs 
 
SB QST ARL ARLB063
ARLB063 Legislation moves forward
 
ARRL's House of Representatives Joint Resolution 199 passed a major
hurdle when key provisions were included in H.R. 4522, the FCC
Authorization Act of 1994, during markup by the Telecommunications
Subcommittee of  the House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 14.
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Kreidler (D-WA), H.J. 199 earlier gained 245
other Congressional co-sponsors as a result of hard work by the
Amateur community.
 
The next step is action  by the full Energy  Commerce Committee,
and then consideration on the floor of the House.  Companion
legislation awaits action by the Senate Commerce Committee.  If the
Senate bill differs from the House bill, an additional conference
committee decision might be necessary before floor action.
 
The bill urges the FCC to ''continue and enhance the development of
amateur radio as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations
encouraging the use of new technologies,'' and urges the Commission
to make ''reasonable accommodations for the effective operation of
amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas,''
and urges ''all levels of government'' to facilitate Amateur Radio as
a public benefit.
 
The bill provides for a one time ''vanity'' call sign fee of 150 dollar(s). The
previous ''annual fee'' provision was deleted in favor of a one time
application charge, staving off the threat of an annual fee for all
amateurs.  In addition, ARRL lobbied to ensure that the fees go to
FCC rather than the Treasury.
 
The one time fee was a calculated decision.  As a result of concern
on Capitol Hill about deficit reduction, new bills must be ''scored''
by the Congressional Budget Office to determine budgetary impact.  A
bill stands a better chance of passing if the Congressional Budget
Office rules that it won't be an additional burden on taxpayers.
ARRL supported the 150 dollar(s) amount since it would generate sufficient
revenue to offset new costs to FCC and would meet the ''revenue
neutral'' criterion, without imposing any new fees on amateurs who
keep their present call signs or who receive new ones issued
routinely.
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