The Amateur Radio Parity Act (S. 1685) is scheduled for mark-up in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today (November 18). Your Senator serves on the Senate Commerce Committee and it is very important he/she hears from you today to oppose S. 1685.
In its current form, S. 1685 preempts community associations’ architectural guidelines and safety rules related to installation of HAM radio towers and antennas.
If S. 1685 passes:
- Community associations would not be able to require prior approval or to have uniform rules for installation of HAM radio towers and antennas.
- Community associations would lose the right to apply a critical approval process to ensure compliance with community architectural standards; including safety and aesthetic guidelines.
- All community association standards for determining installation of HAM radio towers and antennas will be replaced by the Federal Communications Commission’s “reasonable accommodation” standard that mandates installation of HAM radio antennas with no prior approval and no safety certification or restrictions.
Contact your Senator and let him/her know that S. 1685 is not workable and will compromise the safety and interests of the 65 million people living in America’s community associations.
Community Association Institute (“CAI”) staff and lobbyists have spoken with staff in these Senators’ offices and they have indicated they haven’t heard from their constituents opposing S. 1685. CAI has confirmed HAM radio activists have sent more than 14,000 messages to Congress in support of S. 1685. CAI needs to have the Senators and their staff hear from you!
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you and other members in your community act. Share this message with your community TODAY and ask that they too contact their Senators. Here is a link that CAI has created to contact your Senator.
Barker Martin continues to support the rights of community associations. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions on S. 1685, or any other prospective legislation affecting common interest communities.
