AG11
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 11  ARLB011
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  May 11, 2018
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB011
ARLB011 Amateur Radio Parity Act Language Inserted in National
Defense Authorization Act

ARRL is praising the work of US Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT),
Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), and Mike Rogers (R-AL) for their successful
efforts in securing language in the National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 that aids in the survival and growth
of Amateur Radio by giving radio amateurs the right to install an
outdoor antenna at their residences with the approval of their
homeowners associations. This language - text from the proposed
Amateur Radio Parity Act (HR 555) - formed the basis for the
Courtney-Hartzler-Rogers Amendment to the NDAA.

The amendment, offered by the bipartisan trio and accepted by the
House Armed Services Committee by voice vote, will ensure that
Amateur Radio operators will continue to play a vital role in
disaster communication, when called upon. Amateur Radio has
long-standing relationships with the Department of Defense through
both the Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS) as well as spectrum
sharing.

The Armed Services Committee passed the NDAA by a 60-to-1 voice vote
after a 14-hour markup that ran well into the night. The bill now
awaits House floor action. The Senate will begin its markup of the
NDAA during the week of May 21.

Representatives Courtney and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) spearheaded the
effort to include the Parity Act language in the NDAA. Both are
cosponsors of the Parity Act, which has passed the House by voice
vote twice in the past 2 years.

Recognizing the long-standing relationship between Amateur Radio and
the Department of Defense, Congressman Kinzinger - who served
multiple tours for the USAF as a fighter pilot and is still a Major
in the Air National Guard, and Courtney, who represents the House
district that includes ARRL Headquarters, have been champions of the
legislation in Congress.

'The steadfast support of the Amateur Radio community continually
demonstrated by Congressmen Kinzinger and Courtney has been a
godsend,' said Hudson Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB. 'The Parity Act
wouldn't be anywhere close to this stage without their strong
support, and our organization is extremely grateful.'

Lisenco, who serves as Chairman of the ARRL Board's Legislative
Advocacy Committee, also recognized other promoters of Amateur
Radio, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg
Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank
Pallone (D-NJ), and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac
Thornberry (R-TX). 'We are deeply grateful for their continued
understanding and support,' Lisenco said.

ARRL will continue to press for support to enact the Amateur Radio
Parity Act throughout the legislative process.