On January 25, 2007, State Representative Nancy McLain (R) of District 3 introduced a bill amending sections 9-462.01, 11-821 and 33-1808, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to amateur radio accommodation.

Text of the original bill

As it was introduced, it requested the following Provisions:

• Adds the reasonable height and dimension of amateur radio station antennae to the list of building specifications that municipal legislative bodies have the authority to regulate.
• Requires county plans to take into consideration the heights and dimensions necessary to accommodate amateur radio station antennae.
• Adds amateur radio operators to the list of individuals to whom the 25 dollar fee charged for annual renewal of special plates is exempted.
• Specifies that notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the community documents, an association shall accommodate the reasonable heights and dimensions of amateur radio station antennae.
• Makes technical and conforming changes.

When the bill passed through the House Appropriations Committee, the provision to exempt hams from the$25 license plate fee was stripped. Everything else was passed on to the full AZ House for a vote.

On March 19, 2007, the full House voted 56-2 to pass it to the Senate.

AZ Senate Summary of Bill

On March 20th, HB2595 was assigned to both the Senate Government and Senate Rules committees. In the Government committee, it was tabled and not allowed to be presented. Speculation is that the HOA lobby was agressively fighting this bill, and the committee chairman, Senator Jack Harper (R Dist 4), was pressured by the HOAs in his district to kill the bill. Several hams wrote emails and called the Senator's office.

On April 3, 2007, the Senate President issued this email to parties that had written to complain about the hold-up on the bill:

"Thank you for your recent e-mail expressing your support for HB2595 amateur radio; operators, structures; accommodation. Please allow me this opportunity to address your concerns.

HB 2595 was assigned to the Senate Government committee. Standing committees in the Senate have concluded their work for this session and HB 2595 did not receive a hearing. I encourage you to contact Representative McLain expressing support for her to introduce this legislation again next session.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Should you have additional questions or concerns regarding any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Timothy S. Bee
Senate President

So, as it stands now, this bill is dead for this session. Please contact Rep. McLain and encourage her to re-introduce it in the next session!