June 13, 2023
\nCongressmen Bill Johnson (OH-06) and Joe Courtney (CT-02) reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives on June 12 \u2014 H.R.4006 (see full text of bill in this PDF) \u2014 to remove private land use restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of Amateur Radio operators from operating and installing reasonable antennas on property that they own or control. Similar legislation, H.R. 9670, was introduced by Congressman Johnson in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reintroduced the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act to remove barriers to disaster and emergency communications and training, and to promote education in STEM subjects related to critically needed wireless technology,\u201d Congressman Johnson said in a release.<\/p>\n
\u201cPassage of this bill will promote developing and sustaining our nation\u2019s wireless future and facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.\u201d \u201cAs their actions during recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a critical component of disaster response and emergency management. It is in our communities\u2019 best interest that we give them the capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the re-introduction of this bill, we\u2019ve taken a strong step in that direction,\u201d said Congressman Courtney.<\/p>\n