H.R. 4969 Recap

ARRL CEO Dave Sumner, K1ZZ writes:

The members of the U.S. House of Representatives have headed home for the holidays, marking the end of the 113th Congress on that side of Capitol Hill. When the 114th Congress convenes in January a new legislative cycle will begin. We expect the Amateur Radio Parity Act to be reintroduced in the House with a new number; H.R.4969 will no longer apply.

On behalf of the ARRL Board and staff I want to thank you, and through you the field organization volunteers and members in your Section, for your help in gathering legislative support for H.R. 4969. We had hoped to gain 30 co-sponsors for the bill and ultimately ended up with 69, plus the sponsor. The overwhelming majority of these 70 supporters are returning in January, which gives us a good base on which to grow additional support.

Once we know the new number of the bill we will once again be asking for your help in recruiting co-sponsors. The objective is to continue the momentum, gathering enough support to move the bill through the Energy & Commerce Committee. We have received expressions of interest from the Senate side and are hoping to have the bill introduced there as well.

Thanks for all you do on behalf of Amateur Radio. Best wishes for the holidays.