[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5943-S5944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SOLVING CITIZEN BAND RADIO INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 608, 
a bill offering potential relief to neighborhood residents victimized 
by the illegal use of a citizen band [CB] radio. In Grand Rapids, MI, 
and in other towns in Michigan and across the country, CB operators 
have boosted the power of their signal using equipment prohibited under 
FCC regulations. As a result, nearby residents have been unable to 
watch television, listen to their radios, or have a telephone 
conversation without experiencing interference from a neighbor's 
illegal use of a CB radio.
  Currently, there exists a series of rules governing the appropriate 
use of CB radio, including restrictions on equipment and frequencies, 
duration of broadcast, and appropriate content. Due to a change in 
priority, the FCC no longer investigates related interference 
complaints. The Commission merely sends individuals a packet of 
information outlining steps which can be taken to reduce the 
interference. Unfortunately, these solutions have been met with only 
limited success. In many cases, after having exhausted all available 
options, residents are left with no legal recourse. In addition, when 
residents turn to local authorities, they are denied assistance. 
Because of the Communications Act of 1934, the Federal Government has 
exclusive authority to regulate radio frequency usage and to enforce 
related rules. Therefore, State and local authorities are prevented 
from enforcing FCC rules already in existence.
  This is where S. 608 would provide a remedy. This bill, which I have 
cosponsored, would give limited authority to State and local 
governments to enforce FCC rules governing CB radio equipment. I would 
like to emphasize this legislation will not jeopardize the exclusive 
regulatory jurisdiction of the FCC, neither will it impose added 
requirements on State and local governments. This bill merely allows 
localities to enforce rules already in effect, thereby giving citizens 
a legal recourse in solving radio interference disputes.
  Mr. President, I view this legislation as a small, yet simple 
approach to solving CB radio interference problems. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill, and I look forward to working with 
Senator Feingold to secure its passage.
  I ask that the text of a Grand Rapids City Commission resolution in 
support of S. 608 be printed in the Record.
  The material follows:
                                    Grand Rapids, MI, May 7, 1997.
     Senator Spencer Abraham,
     Southfield, MI.
       Dear Senator Abraham: Enclosed is a certified copy of 
     Resolution 63295 approved by the Grand Rapids City Commission 
     on April 29, 1997, which encourages you and all the members 
     of the Michigan Congressional Delegation to support Senate 
     Bill S. 608 which changes Federal Communications Commission 
     rules to allow states and local units of government to 
     enforce certain regulations regarding the operation of 
     citizen band radio equipment.
           Sincerely,
                                             Mary Therese Hegarty,
                                                       City Clerk.
       Enclosure.
       Your committee of the whole recommends adoption of the 
     following resolution encouraging Senator Abraham and the 
     Michigan Congressional Delegation to support Senate Bill S. 
     608 which would amend the Federal Communications Act of 1934 
     to allow state and local governments to prohibit citizens 
     band radio equipment and operations which are not authorized 
     by the Federal Communications Commission and to enforce those 
     regulations.
     J. H. Logie, James C. Kozak, Erin J. Williams, Sharon West, 
     Linda Samuelson, Roy L. Schmidt.
       Committee of the Whole.
       Com. Kozak, supported by Com. Schmidt, moved adoption of 
     the following resolution:
       Resolved, that the City Commission encourages Senator 
     Spencer Abraham and all the members of the Michigan 
     Congressional Delegation to support Senate Bill S. 608 which 
     changes Federal Communications Commission rules to allow 
     states and local

[[Page S5944]]

     units of government to enforce certain regulations regarding 
     the operation of citizen band radio equipment.

                          ____________________