From the ARRL Monthly Michigan Section News Summary by
Dale WA8EFK
In early May, your SM had the opportunity to provide some testimony before the
Michigan House Judiciary Committee on behalf of amateur radio. The subject
was the proposed revision to MCL 750.508, commonly referred to as the
"Scanner Law" by many of us Michigan hams. State Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer from
Bellair introduced the legislation. The primary intent is to reduce
unnecessary bureaucracy.
For example, are you aware that one employee of the Michigan State Police does
nothing else but issue scanner permits under the present law? As the present
legislation does not define the conditions for getting a permit, the State
Police must issue one to anyone who requests one, regardless of their
background. Secondly, at least twice a year, some innocent ham has his rig
confiscated from his vehicle because an officer did not understand that hams
are authorized by that very law to operate a scanner in their motor vehicle.
Thirdly, under the present law, non-hams cannot legally drive the family
car alone if there is a receiver in the vehicle capable of receiving public
safety radio transmissions. Picture also, the thousands of race fans at MIS
who carry scanners to listen to their favorite driver's race car
transmissions. They too are in violation of the present law, and at that
scale the present law is virtually unenforceable.
Several amateurs in the state as well as ARRL Counsel reviewed early versions
of the new bill. Comments were carefully considered, and the bill revised to
incorporate suggestions offered. The rewritten legislation, House Bill 4544,
passed the Judiciary Committee and has gone to the full House for approval.
It has now had its second reading in the House. Upon the third reading and
passage, it will move to the Senate. You can find the full text in its final
form at http://www.legislature.mi.gov. During the session I attended, Rep.
Elsenheimer spoke very highly of radio amateurs and their contributions to
the citizens of the State of Michigan. It is truly a wonderful experience to
have so many hams participate in the making of law in our state.
Dale WA8EFK
In early May, your SM had the opportunity to provide some testimony before the
Michigan House Judiciary Committee on behalf of amateur radio. The subject
was the proposed revision to MCL 750.508, commonly referred to as the
"Scanner Law" by many of us Michigan hams. State Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer from
Bellair introduced the legislation. The primary intent is to reduce
unnecessary bureaucracy.
For example, are you aware that one employee of the Michigan State Police does
nothing else but issue scanner permits under the present law? As the present
legislation does not define the conditions for getting a permit, the State
Police must issue one to anyone who requests one, regardless of their
background. Secondly, at least twice a year, some innocent ham has his rig
confiscated from his vehicle because an officer did not understand that hams
are authorized by that very law to operate a scanner in their motor vehicle.
Thirdly, under the present law, non-hams cannot legally drive the family
car alone if there is a receiver in the vehicle capable of receiving public
safety radio transmissions. Picture also, the thousands of race fans at MIS
who carry scanners to listen to their favorite driver's race car
transmissions. They too are in violation of the present law, and at that
scale the present law is virtually unenforceable.
Several amateurs in the state as well as ARRL Counsel reviewed early versions
of the new bill. Comments were carefully considered, and the bill revised to
incorporate suggestions offered. The rewritten legislation, House Bill 4544,
passed the Judiciary Committee and has gone to the full House for approval.
It has now had its second reading in the House. Upon the third reading and
passage, it will move to the Senate. You can find the full text in its final
form at http://www.legislature.mi.gov. During the session I attended, Rep.
Elsenheimer spoke very highly of radio amateurs and their contributions to
the citizens of the State of Michigan. It is truly a wonderful experience to
have so many hams participate in the making of law in our state.
