Two bills have come out of committee this past week, AB151 and SB140. The bills are aimed at distracted driving, texting and cellular telephone usage. The definition of a wireless device in these bills is so vague that it can be used to ticket users of two-way radio systems. The penalties are very high for violations of ths proposed law.
AB151 specifically exempts police, fire and EMTs, but does not cover taxi's, DOT, CBs. Amateur Radio, or any other radio user. SB140 exempts radios with seperate microphone and all controls on the radio and only a PTT button on the mic. Any HT would be illegal under this bill. This seems to be aimed particularly at hams, but my Mototurbo commercial radio for use at work has a DTMF+ mic so it would not be exempted. Also it is very common for others to use HT's in a vehicle.
Members of the Nevada Section of the ARRL have been mounting an information program including legislative committee testamony. I will post templates for letters to legislators as well as the Governor if you wish to comment. Texts of the bills can be viewed at the Nevada Legislative website.
Thanks
Joe
AB151 specifically exempts police, fire and EMTs, but does not cover taxi's, DOT, CBs. Amateur Radio, or any other radio user. SB140 exempts radios with seperate microphone and all controls on the radio and only a PTT button on the mic. Any HT would be illegal under this bill. This seems to be aimed particularly at hams, but my Mototurbo commercial radio for use at work has a DTMF+ mic so it would not be exempted. Also it is very common for others to use HT's in a vehicle.
Members of the Nevada Section of the ARRL have been mounting an information program including legislative committee testamony. I will post templates for letters to legislators as well as the Governor if you wish to comment. Texts of the bills can be viewed at the Nevada Legislative website.
Thanks
Joe