45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS AND REQUESTING MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES TO AVOID OVERREGULATION OF AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS.

WHEREAS, members of the amateur radio service community have provided invaluable emergency communications services following disasters such as the Cerro Grande fire, tornadoes, storms, floods, wildfires and industrial accidents across the state; and

WHEREAS, amateur radio service has made a contribution to our nation's communications by crafting, in 1961, the first earth satellite licensed by the federal communications commission, by its proof-of-concept for search rescue satellites, by its continued exploration of the low earth orbit, by its pioneering of communications using reflections from meteor trails, a technique now used for certain government and commercial communications, and by its leading role in the development of low-cost, practical data transmission by radio such as in the land mobile service; and

WHEREAS, the United States congress, in enacting the Communications Act of 1934, defined radio stations to include amateur radio stations operated by persons without pecuniary interest in radio technique and expressed its determination to promote safety of life and property through the use of radio communications; and

WHEREAS, congress established a policy to encourage the provision of new technologies and services and set forth regulations to clarify and extend the purposes of the amateur radio service as a voluntary noncommercial communications service that:

A. provides emergency communications;

B. contributes to the advancement of the telecommunications infrastructure;

C. encourages improvement of an individual's technical and operating skills;

D. provides a national reservoir of trained operators, technicians and electronics experts; and

E. enhances international good will;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that amateur radio operators be recognized for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that reasonable accommodation be made for the effective operation of amateur radio stations from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that municipalities and counties be requested to avoid overregulation of amateur radio operators; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to each municipal council and each county commission.