San Antonio Hams

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Action:

Once again a bill is being introduced into the Texas Legislature to ban the use of cell phones while driving unless the call is being made using hands free operation. Senate bill (SB582) is being sponsored by State Senator Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio includes language to the effect of exempting Amateur Radio.

However, a bill being introduced by State Representative Jose Menendez from Bexar County does not include such language, Otherwise the bills are almost exactly alike.

When this subject came up before the Texas Legislature in the past Rep. Menendez had agreed to include such language in his bill and had, however that bill was never passed and not signed into law. Therefore we are still allowed to use our cellphones while driving without the aid of hands free operation. In essence, the subject has one again risen to the top of the agenda and it it time for us as Amateur Radio operators to bring to the attention of our State Representatives the need for exempting Amateur Radio.

It is strongly encouraged that since these bills are due to be entered into hearing this coming Tuesday, March 10th when the legislature reconvenes, that over the weekend and including this Monday, March 9th, each of us contact our State Representative and make our wishes known. In addition to calling and/or emailing your representative it may not hurt to also call Rep. Menendez and remind him of his past agreement to this provision. This is probably just an oversight on his part and a polite reminder is in order.

Rep Menendez can be reached as follows:

District: 124
Capitol Office: EXT E2.204
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Capitol Phone:(512) 463-0634

District Address: 7121 US Hwy. 90 West, Ste. 240
San Antonio, TX 78227
District Phone:(210) 673-3579

Link to personal website:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist124/menendez.php

A complete copy of each bill can be found by going to the website address www.tlc.state.tx.us and click on the menu button labeled “Internet Resources.” In the text at the top of the next page you will find a link labeled “Texas Legislature Online,” click on it and you will be taken to a page with search boxes at the top where you can enter either “SB 582” to see Senator Wentworth’s bill and type “HB 220” to see Rep. Menendez’s bill.

You will see about in the last third of the page on bill SB 582 a sub paragraph (2) that states : (2) a person licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a wireless communication device or a radio communication device. In HB 220 this line is missing. That is what we need to have added in the house bill so that in the event these bills are passed out of their respective committees and passed in both houses of the legislature, merged into one and sent to Governor Perry for signature that we do not lose our use of Amateur Radio while in mobile operation.

As mentioned above it is being recommended you also contact your own representative as well as Rep. Menendez, to let them know your feelings. Then maybe if during discussion in committee or on the floor of the legislature one of the representatives will remember this and bring it up in discussion. It is collectively felt that this is only an oversight. We have been down this street before. A gentle reminder at this time is in order. Just keep your senses in check and be polite in your communications and we may once and for all ensure the continued operation of mobile amateur radio communications.

Thank you for your attention.
Gary S. Tangrady, K5GST
Assistant Public Information Coordinator
South Texas Section, ARRL

• Web Link showing who is on the Transportation Committee for the House of Representatives, who will be considering the bill….
• Text link for full Text of Wentworth’s bill SB 582
• Text link for full Text of Menendez’s bill HB 220