The West Gulf Division’s legislation to eliminate homeowner association restrictions against Amateur Radio operation, including the installation of towers and antennas was filed on March 10, 2011 by State Representative Warren Chisum as House Bill 3038.
Although the West Gulf’s legislative leaders and workers who are attempting to pass HB 3038 are unpaid volunteers, obtaining the passage of legislation can be very expensive. Just the preparation of legislative support and educational materials for distribution to legislative staff, Senators and Representatives can run into the thousands of dollars. None of these costs are covered by monies from the budget of the West Gulf Division or the ARRL. The ARRL does not provide funds to support State legislative efforts.
Each HB 3038 supporting brochure given to a Texas Senator, Representative or staff member costs $50.00. There are 181 elected Senators and Representatives, meaning a cost for just brochures of $9,050.00. In addition, it is necessary to provide additional copies to staff members. To fully cover the cost of just HB 3038 brochures for this Texas Legislature Session will cost over $11,000.00. To date, there are only sufficient funds to cover 10% of that cost.
The West Gulf’s Texas Legislative effort will need, besides the cost of these materials, to cover approximately an additional $15,000 in costs.
All financial support for the West Gulf legislative efforts comes only from donations from individual Hams and industry supporters. Without these donations, it simply will not be possible to pass any legislation that benefits Amateur Radio. We cannot acquire new radios for free and we cannot acquire freedom from hateful, spiteful restrictions for free. It takes effort, time and money.
The West Gulf has volunteers who are donating their effort and time. But, the West Gulf needs the money.
If every Texas Ham gave just a minimum of $50.00, the West Gulf could cover easily cover its legislative costs.
Because of legal prohibitions on political action, political fundraising and expenditures by non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations like the ARRL, Texas Hams formed Texas Ham Pac to lobby for the West Gulf’s Amateur Radio legislation and to raise the necessary funds. For legal reasons, Texas Ham Pac is completely independent of the ARRL in order to protect the ARRL.
TexasHamPac.com is the only Amateur Radio political action committee in existence. For legal reasons, all donations to support the West Gulf’s legislative efforts go to and through Texas Ham Pac. Texas Ham Pac’s funds come only from donations from Hams and industry supporters – it does not receive any funds from the ARRL and is not controlled by the ARRL.
Amateur Radio hostile laws and regulations can only be prevented or eliminated, if every Ham supports the efforts to protect Amateur Radio.
Whether you live in a HOA that restricts Amateur Radio or not, your support can determine the difference between whether restrictions on Amateur Radio are eliminated or not.
All donations in any amount are welcome, but again, if every Texas Ham gave just a minimum of $50 the Texas Legislative costs would be fully funded. If you want to support Amateur Radio and specifically the West Gulf’s legislative efforts, please go to TexasHamPac.com and donate to the cause.
John Robert Stratton
N5AUS
N5AUS@hamradio.us.com
