Several Emergency Coordinators and others involved in emergency
communications in Nebraska raised concern last year about a new law that
prohibited the use of flashing lights on storm-spotter's vehicles. Many
felt that the flashing lights protected spotters parked in isolated
areas where occasional high speed traffic presented a danger.

I am pleased to report, thanks to J.R. Reider, K0JWR, that a bill was
introduced by Senator Bill Avery (District 28) to amend the law and
allow use of flashing amber lights by storm-spotters. The bill is LB
719. You download the pdf file of the bill at:
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/Floor...ntro/LB719.pdf

Pat Gerdes, KA0SGL, along with other Emergency Managers took the
initiative to make this happen.

Please take a moment and send an email or letter to your State
Legislator in support of this bill. Showing support in this manner not
only helps the bill, but it keeps our Legislators aware of all the hams
who volunteer at their own risk to protect our communities.

Thanks and 73,
Art K0AIZ

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Arthur I. Zygielbaum, K0AIZ

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ARRL NE Section wrote:
Several Emergency Coordinators and others involved in emergency
communications in Nebraska raised concern last year about a new
law that prohibited the use of flashing lights on storm-spotter's
vehicles.

Was there a problem with that? Mis-use and so forth?

I am pleased to report, thanks to J.R. Reider, K0JWR, that a bill
was introduced by Senator Bill Avery (District 28) to amend the
law and allow use of flashing amber lights by storm-spotters.

Obviously, the answer is don't make them sorry they did that.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi


--
“Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.”
Frank Leahy, Head coach, Notre Dame 1941-1954

http://www.stay-connect.com

Nebraska Legislative Bill LB719, to allow storm-spotters to use amber
flashing lights, was one of the subjects of a hearing today by the
State Legislature Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

The hearing began with very positive remarks about amateur radio and
storm-spotting by Senator Bill Avery's representative. Then Pat
Gerdes, KAØSGL, Region 15 Emergency Management Director, Bob Rose, Clay
County Emergency Manager, Larry Dix, Nebraska Association of County
Officials Executive Director, and I testified in support of the Bill.
There was no testimony in opposition.

The questions raised by the Senators were primarily clarification. Two
specific questions were whether there had been accidents involving
spotters in the past and how to avoid the use of amber lights by those
who were not storm-spotters, or other approved users.

It is my opinion that the hearing went well and that we have a good
shot at having this bill voted into law. When I have more information,
I will pass it on.

73,
Art KØAIZ

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Arthur I. Zygielbaum, K0AIZ

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ARRL NE Section wrote:
Among the Committee's concerns were how voluntary declarations
of "weatherspotter" could be determined and enforced under the
language of the bill.

That's entirely understandable.

There are two basic kinds of people that put flashing lights
etc. on their vehicles.

1. People that understand the need for visibility to avoid an
an accident.

2. Those that use any excuse possible to maintain a vehicle
that can be confused with a public safety vehicle.

It's the people in number 2 that give us a bad name.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi


--
“Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.”
Frank Leahy, Head coach, Notre Dame 1941-1954

http://www.stay-connect.com

Jeffrey D Angus wrote:
ARRL NE Section wrote:
Among the Committee's concerns were how voluntary declarations
of "weatherspotter" could be determined and enforced under the
language of the bill.

That's entirely understandable.

There are two basic kinds of people that put flashing lights
etc. on their vehicles.

1. People that understand the need for visibility to avoid an
an accident.

2. Those that use any excuse possible to maintain a vehicle
that can be confused with a public safety vehicle.

It's the people in number 2 that give us a bad name.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi


Generally yellow is for "Hazard" (tow trucks, Snow plows and other
vehicles that may be on the side of the road and it means "Don't run
into me" Red or Blue is what I would call "Public Safety"
(police/Fire/EMS) IN some states the use of rotating or flashing
lights is regulated by law.. Michigan (Where I'm from) is one such.

Now.. If I'm, for example, sitting on a traffic crash, the use of a
YELLOW "Kojack Light" is allowed.. However a co-worker of mine got
written up when he used one under those conditions.. He did not violate
the law.. but "Company" rules (I'm a retired police dispatcher.. He is
still a police dispatcher,, In fact he made supervisor after I retired)

However.. I drive a Lumina APV (if I get it working again) not many
vehicles are as "Visible" as a Lumina van or mini-van when in 4-way
flasher mode. Thus.. Though I have a "kojack Light" (I think)
somewhere.. 1: Not in car and 2: I don't actually know where it is.

I do carry a regulation set of D.O.T. Triangles however... AND the book
that tells me how to lay 'em out (What every commercial driver must
know, published, in my case, by the Michigan Secretary of State (DMV for
Michigan)) a very useful book.

I also drive a 38' motor home towing said Lumina on occasion.


--
John in Detroit E-Dress is smoked, Invalid equals NET.

This is an update on the legislative initiatives I undertook.
First, the Amber Light bill was introduced by Sen. Price, KC5AYS. It
is LB573. I posted the bill on my website. You can download it from:

http://www.ctwsoft.com/arrlne/LB573.pdf

As I wrote earlier, it would allow Storm Spotters to use Flashing Amber
lights if they are within 500 feet of their designated spotting point
and if they are carrying an appropriate ID issued by NEMA or their
county emergency management. The Bill also charges NEMA with coming up
with standards for ID badges and certification. By having a standard
format, ID badges will be recognizable by law enforcement anywhere in
the state. The 500 foot restriction and the availability of a standard
ID answers the questions that prevented similar legislation from being
voted into law last year.

I will let you know when hearings are scheduled.

Second, the malicious interference bill was not introduced due to a
snafu. It ends up that this was probably good. The ARRL has worked
hard to make sure that there is only Federal regulation of amateur
radio. Even though the bill proposed was very restrictive in that the
law could only be invoked during an emergency declared by a government
official, the feeling was that it might cause unintended consequences
in terms of regulation.

The basic problem of protecting communications during emergency
conditions remains. I spoke with Dan Henderson, N1ND, ARRL Regulatory
Information Manager, and Cliff Ahrens, KØCA, Midwest Division
Director. They believe that we can find a solution through the Federal
government. I will be working with Cliff, ARRL HQ, and appropriate
Federal agencies to identify the specific means to obtain
near-real-time support in case malicious interference occurs during an
emergency.

I know that this topic is important to many of you and that you might
be disappointed. The positive feedback and words of encouragement are
very much appreciated. I did receive an email from Bill Jackson, K9RZ,
registering the same concern that the ARRL had. Thanks to all who took
time to comment.

Malicious interference during an emergency can endanger life and
property. My commitment is to resolve this issue.

73, Art KØAIZ

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Arthur I Zygielbaum, K0AIZ

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This is a "heads-up" that the bill to allow Nebraska Storm Spotters to
use flashing amber lights will be reviewed at a hearing by the
Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on February 15, 2011.

The hearing is scheduled for 1:30pm at the Capitol in Room 1113.

You can get a pdf copy of the bill at the following URLs:

The Nebraska State Legislature website:

http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills...cumentID=12373

or from my website:

http://www.ctwsoft.com/arrlne/LB573.pdf

This bill follows up on an attempt made last session to modify a new
law to allow Storm Spotters to use flashing amber lights. It has been
reviewed by ARRL's legislative affairs office. I've received both
positive and negative comments from hams in Nebraska. These were all
thoughtful and had merit. Whether for or against the bill, you can
make suggestions to modify the bill and improve any resulting law.

If you would like to testify in person about LB573, your contributions
would be appreciated. If you would like to submit comments in writing
(via email), please follow the advice of Jim Harper, KCØSHZ, that I
emailed earlier. Jim suggested:

1. Send your comments to the Chair of the Transportation and
Telecommunications Committee, Sen. Fischer. Her email address is:


2. Include the bill number (LB573) and the phrase "Testimony for the
Record" in the subject line. Also indicate whether the testimony is in
favor or opposed to the bill. For example, you can write

"LB573 - Testimony for the Record (in favor)" or "LB573 - Testimony for
the Record (opposed)"

73, Art KØAIZ

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ARRL Nebraska Section
Section Manager: Arthur I Zygielbaum, K0AIZ

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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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