NEWS: ARLB046 ARRL studies new eavesdropping bill

["Ulis R. Fleming" <ulis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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>
>SB QST @ ARL $ARLB046
>ARLB046 ARRL studies new eavesdropping bill
>
>ZCZC AG46
>QST de W1AW
>ARRL Bulletin 46  ARLB046
>>From ARRL Headquarters
>Newington CT  August 8, 1997
>To all radio amateurs
>
>SB QST ARL ARLB046
>ARLB046 ARRL studies new eavesdropping bill
>
>The ARRL is closely studying another bill introduced in Congress to
>beef up prohibitions against electronic eavesdropping. The bill, HR
>2369, was introduced by Rep Billy Tauzin of Louisiana. Dubbed the
>Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1997, it has scanner enthusiasts
>and equipment makers worried and could affect some Amateur Radio
>equipment. If passed, it would--among other things--amend the
>Communications Act of 1934 to ban the sale of scanning receivers
>capable of receiving transmissions on any frequency allocated to any
>Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS). The CMRS is a relatively new
>umbrella designation of subscriber-based radio services that act like
>telephone services. In addition to cellular telephone, such services
>include commercial paging services, commercial air-to-ground
>services, offshore radiotelephone, personal communication services,
>and specialized mobile radio services.
>
>HR 2369 would prohibit receiving, divulging, publishing or using any
>intercepted transmission, and subject violators to substantial fines
>or prison terms. It also would make it illegal to modify equipment so
>that it may be used to unlawfully intercept or divulge radio
>communications. The FCC would be charged with investigating
>complaints and enforcing the stiffer regulations.
>
>As currently drafted, the bill appears to affect equipment available
>to scanner enthusiasts, hams who use scanning transceivers to receive
>out-of-band, and hams who use out-of-band capability for volunteer
>work. It would not affect ham frequencies, per se. The League's
>Legislative and Public Relations Manager, Steve Mansfield, N1MZA,
>says the ARRL is studying the bill to determine its long term
>implications for ham radio and ham gear. The ARRL has contacted
>Tauzin's office to express its concerns, and Mansfield says the
>League ''will continue to work with members of Congress to have the
>bill modified to reflect the needs of the Amateur Radio community.''
>
>The Tauzin bill comes fast on the heels of very similar, but
>less-stringent, legislation proposed by Rep Edward Markey of
>Massachusetts (see The ARRL Letter, Vol 16, No 29). The ARRL has met
>with Markey's staff to discuss the negative implications of HR 1964
>for Amateur Radio. That bill was not given much chance of passage.
>
>An incident last year in which House Speaker Newt Gingrich's cellular
>telephone conversation was illegally intercepted, taped and published
>by the media prompted calls in Congress for stronger
>anti-eavesdropping legislation.
>NNNN
>/EX
>
>
>
****************************************************************************
Ulis R. Fleming<>Radio Amateur: K3LU (ex:WB3LUI) TI5NW<>Shortwave Listener

 Glen Burnie, Maryland USA          <>        Internet: ulis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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****************************************************************************