SB QST @ ARL $ARLB010 ARLB010 Vermont Governor Signs Amateur Radio Antenna Bill ZCZC AG10 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 10 ARLB010 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT June 7, 2006 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB010 ARLB010 Vermont Governor Signs Amateur Radio Antenna Bill Vermont Gov Jim Douglas has signed Amateur Radio antenna legislation that puts the language of the limited federal preemption known as PRB-1 into the Green Mountain State's statutes. Vermont is the 23rd state to adopt an Amateur Radio antenna law. ''Today we reached a milestone in Vermont Amateur Radio history,'' exulted David Cain, W1DEC, on May 30. ''PRB-1 is now officially codified into Vermont's statutes.'' Cain chaired the PRB-1 Committee and serves as Vermont ARRL State Government Liaison. ''To all of you who worked so hard on this a hearty 'thank you' and 'well done.''' ARRL New England Division Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, offered his congratulations to all involved in seeing the bill through. ''This is a major achievement for Vermont, the New England Division and the hobby,'' he said. The legislation, H.12, cleared Vermont's General Assembly on May 10. The new law requires local ordinances to comply with 97.15(b) ''by allowing for the erection of an Amateur Radio antenna or an Amateur Radio antenna support structure at a height and dimension sufficient to accommodate Amateur Radio Service communications.'' Cain notes that a PRB-1 bill has been in the General Assembly hopper in Vermont for more than three years. ''Hard work and persistence paid off,'' he said, noting that lawmakers ''recognized the value of ham radio and the need for reasonable accommodation.'' Section 1 of the bill declares it Vermont policy ''that Amateur Radio use and Amateur Radio antennas and support structures protect and promote the public interest by providing important communications support to both government and the public during times of emergency when other communications infrastructure is disabled or overburdened and by presenting the public with an opportunity for public service, self-training, communications and technical investigation.'' Language in the original Vermont antenna bill outlined a schedule of minimum regulatory heights, below which localities could not impose restrictions. That language did not survive the legislative process, however. NNNN /EX