Time to write letters!
SB 2 removes the current
exemption for amateur radio operators with licenses issued by the FCC

2017 Oregon Legislature: Senate Bill 2 & House Bill 2597 (same
legislation)

NOTE: Matter in boldfaced type in an amended section is new; matter [italic and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted. New sections are in boldfaced type.

State Senator Peter Courtney (D-Salem) has sponsored and introduced
Senate Bill 2 on operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile
communications device. This is an amendment to the 2009 distracted
driving bill passed by the Legislature. SB 2 removes the current
exemption for amateur radio operators with licenses issued by the FCC
and who are operating an amateur radio. Senate Bill 2 has been referred
to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and subsequently to the Joint
Committee on Ways and Means. No hearings have yet been scheduled.

It is very early in the legislative session but it is a good time for
amateur radio operators in Oregon to politely contact their Senators
and Representatives with a letter or email to let them know of your
concerns and request that the current exemption for FCC licensed
amateurs is retained. Your representatives and their contact
information can be found at http://gov.oregonlive.com/legislators/. A
copy of Senate Bill 2 can be found at
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Measures/list/. The Oregon
Section website has additional information on our news page at
http://arrloregon.org/?page_id=557

We have assembled a team to work on this issue for you and will be
closely tracking developments, providing testimony as needed and
contacting the involved legislators, directly. The specific language
that we are asking be included in the bill under section (3) is:

(h) Holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued or any other
license issued by the Federal Communications Commission and is
operating an amateur radio.

When you contact your representative, please do so politely and
thoughtfully, letting them know that you are asking that the current
exemption be retained. I am interested in knowing of questions and
comments you receive back from your correspondence.

Thank you for your support of Amateur Radio

John Core, KX7YT
ARRL Oregon Section Manager
[email protected]
2017 Oregon Legislature: Senate Bill 2 & House Bill 2597 (same
legislation)

State Senator Peter Courtney (D-Salem) has sponsored and introduced
Senate Bill 2 on operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile
communications device. This is an amendment to the 2009 distracted
driving bill passed by the Legislature. SB 2 removes the current
exemption for amateur radio operators with licenses issued by the FCC
and who are operating an amateur radio. Senate Bill 2 has been referred
to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and subsequently to the Joint
Committee on Ways and Means. No hearings have yet been scheduled.

It is very early in the legislative session but it is a good time for
amateur radio operators in Oregon to politely contact their Senators
and Representatives with a letter or email to let them know of your
concerns and request that the current exemption for FCC licensed
amateurs is retained. Your representatives and their contact
information can be found at http://gov.oregonlive.com/legislators/. A
copy of Senate Bill 2 can be found at
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Measures/list/. The Oregon
Section website has additional information on our news page at
http://arrloregon.org/?page_id=557

We have assembled a team to work on this issue for you and will be
closely tracking developments, providing testimony as needed and
contacting the involved legislators, directly. The specific language
that we are asking be included in the bill under section (3) is:

(h) Holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued or any other
license issued by the Federal Communications Commission and is
operating an amateur radio.

When you contact your representative, please do so politely and
thoughtfully, letting them know that you are asking that the current
exemption be retained. I am interested in knowing of questions and
comments you receive back from your correspondence.

Thank you for your support of Amateur Radio

John Core, KX7YT
ARRL Oregon Section Manager
[email protected]
Search for your Oregon legislators :: Your Government - The Oregonian
The Oregonian helps you track the progress of bills and your representatives' activity in the Oregon Legislature
gov.oregonlive.com

We just went through this same thing last week in Washington state.  The letter writing paid off quickly with a Ham radio exemption being added to the bill.  Hope you can do the same down there.

bump for qlp to see.

I'll get my messages out this week.