Nevada Governor Signs Amateur Antenna Bill

NEWINGTON, CT, May 24, 2001--Nevada Gov Kenny Guinn has signed that state's Amateur Radio antenna legislation--Assembly Bill 61. The law goes into effect October 1.

"I would like to commend everyone who assisted on this effort," said Nevada Assemblyman Bob Beers, WB7EHN, the bill's author and sponsor. "The grass roots support for this bill was key to its passage and enactment, and the subject of awed comments in both houses." The measure cleared the state Senate on a unanimous vote and went to the Governor this week for his signature.

The measure will incorporate the wording of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 into the Nevada Revised Statutes. Introduced by Beers in February, AB 61 will require municipal ordinances to "reasonably accommodate amateur service communications" and "constitute the minimum level of regulation practicable to carry out the legitimate purpose of the governing body." The bill would not apply to historic or architectural preservation districts.

As originally worded, the legislation also would have applied to future deed covenants, conditions and restrictions imposed by homeowners' associations. That language was stripped from the bill in committee, but the rest of the measure survived intact.

Nevada Assistant ARRL Section Manager Dick Flanagan, W6OLD, expressed his gratitude to the state's amateur community for the bill's success. "We have achieved passage of AB61 only through your efforts!" he said.

Nevada becomes the 13th state to incorporate PRB-1 language into its statutes. "I can't imagine a more natural state to acquire the Number 13 distinction than Nevada--a state world renowned for beating the odds!" Flanagan said. Amateur Radio antenna bills also were approved this year in Alaska and Idaho, and similar measures are pending in New York and Wisconsin.

Updated information on the Nevada PRB-1 legislation is available at the Carson Valley Radio Club Web site. The full text of AB 61 is available on the Nevada State Web site.

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