The hearing on LB573, the Amber Flashing Lights for Storm Spotters Bill,
was held this afternoon (Wednesday, February 16th) before the
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee of the Nebraska
Legislature. Three people testified in favor of the Bill and no one
testified opposed.

Pat Gerdes, representing the Nebraska Association of Emergency
Managers, gave very positive comments about hams and our support of
emergency and public service activities. There was a representative
from the Nebraska Association of County Officials (unfortunately, I did
not get his name) who was also was very supportive. I testified as an
individual in favor of the Bill.

The Senators posed many questions about how hams were deployed, how
amber lights helped to protect them, as well as about issues of
identification, training and certification.

The committee went into executive session after they received
testimony. As soon as I hear anything more, I will send out an email.

73, Art KØAIZ

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Arthur I Zygielbaum, K0AIZ

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Jim Winney, KD6MXE, has been doing a nice job monitoring LB573, the bill
to authorize storm spotters to use flashing amber lights, as it
traversed the legislative process. Jim informs me that LB573 passed
the state senate this morning. It now awaits the governor's
signature.

If you would like to review the final language, here is the URL:

http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/F...F/AM/AM344.pdf

The language is a bit different than what we had originally proposed,
but should satisfy the needs of the storm spotters and the emergency
managers who requested help getting the legislation.

73, Art KØAIZ

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Arthur I Zygielbaum, K0AIZ

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