U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Office of Government Affairs
Iowa
Area Coordinator:
COMO Rick Ives, N-LAW
State Liaison:
Nick Critelli
Department of Natural Resources
Coast Guard Auxiliary District: 8WR
Coast Guard District: 8th
Second Quarter Report, 2009:
As
previously reported, the Iowa Legislature is now in recess.
When they reconvene in January of 2010 they will take up SF3
regarding .08 boating BAC. The Bill has already passed the
Senate, voted out of Committee by the House, and placed on the
House debate calendar. Last month the Governor of Iowa issued
a Safe Boating proclamation which signals that the Bill will have
the Governor's support.
Earlier in this session we, USCG Auxiliary in Iowa, were concerned
about proposed legislation that would have adversely affected our
mobile radio communications. The legislation was intended to
address the problems caused by 'cell phone use while driving'.
However it was so far-reaching in scope that it encompassed
emergency radio communication. The Amateur Radio community
took the lead on the issue and wit
h
the assistance of other affected entities the bill died in House
committee.
Lastly, in the closing days of the session, the House passed a
resolution recognizing U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
085-033-04 for the help and assistance it gave to the State of Iowa
during
the Floods of June 2008. The Resolution reads:
"It having been made
known to the House of Representatives by its Honorable
Representative Jodi S. Tymeson, that the United States Coast Guard
Auxiliary 085-33-04 (Flotilla 4) deserves recognition for its
voluntary service, staff, support, and assistance to the United
States Coast Guard, the Iowa National Guard, and the Iowa Homeland
Security and Emergency Management Division at the State Emergency
Operations Center during the Floods of 2008.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, the House of
Representatives does hereby extend its appreciation and thanks them
for their professionalism, dedication, and outstanding performance
of duty."