Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Virginia work group hears debate over bill to protect amateur radio antennas in HOAs
Summary
Delegate Holly Seabold, sponsor of House Bill 2,542, told the Local Land Use and Community Living Work Group that her bill would prevent homeowner associations from forbidding amateur radio antennas on lots homeowners control.
Delegate Holly Seabold, sponsor of House Bill 2,542, told the Local Land Use and Community Living Work Group of the Virginia Housing Commission that the bill grew from constituent complaints that homeowners were barred from installing amateur radio antennas in neighborhoods with restrictive covenants.
"It is much more than just a hobby. It is actually a critical role and infrastructure that is proactive during emergencies," Delegate Holly Seabold said, arguing that ham radio operators provide emergency communications capabilities when other systems fail.
The measure would prohibit homeowners associations and similar private covenants from banning amateur radio antennas in areas a homeowner owns or controls. Proponents said federal rules adopted under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (commonly called OTARD rules) permit small satellite and TV…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
