If you heard or watched our podcast discussion on HOA antenna limits back in April 2024 (TWRS-189), we covered H.R. 4006, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, which aimed to rein in private land-use restrictions that block the use of amateur antennas in Homeowners Associations (HOAs). After that episode was released, the 118th Congress ended without action. Although disappointing, it was not unexpected that the bill expired with adjournment. We discussed the high probability of it happening at the time. But all was not lost. In the 119th Congress, the effort is back with new bill numbers and a full-court grassroots press from none other than the ARRL.
What happened to H.R. 4006?
H.R. 4006 (118th) was introduced in June 2023 and referred to House Energy & Commerce, with no further action. When a Congress adjourns sine die at the end of its two-year term, legislation that hasn’t passed does not carry over. Instead, it must be reintroduced in the next Congress. In practical terms, H.R. 4006 died at the close of the 118th Congress.
The revival of the bills
In late January-early February 2025, bipartisan companion bills were reintroduced as H.R. 1094 in the House and S. 459 in the Senate. Both bills would require homeowner associations to accommodate amateur station antennas, prohibit blanket bans, outline reasonable approval processes, and create a federal private right of action in disputes. The measures were referred to the House Energy & Commerce and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees and currently sit at the “Introduced” stage.
The text in these 2025 bills are similar to the 2024 proposal. It preempts private land-use restrictions that “prohibit, restrict, or impair” amateur antennas while allowing safety and code-compliance rules. It also specifies approval timelines for HOA applications and exempts certain small, wire, vertical, and flagpole antennas from prior approval.
A new grassroots campaign
To help things along, the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) has launched a nationwide “Pass The Bill” campaign urging every US amateur to send letters to their Representative and Senators. The ARRL page summarizes the bills, explains the need for their passage (especially for emergency communications), and links to a one-click letter tool to contact Congress. The campaign announcement went live September 17, 2025, following February’s reintroduction of the bills.
The ARRL’s news release underscored the role amateur radio plays in public safety when other systems fail. It also named the bipartisan sponsors leading the effort: Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11), and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT-2).
Why this matters to hams (and your HOA)
The passage of the bills would restore parity with other protected outdoor aerials such as TV antennas, satellite dishes, WISP antennas and flagpole antennas by preventing HOAs from flat-out prohibiting amateur antennas. For operators in deed-restricted communities, that could mean moving from stealth or indoor compromises to properly sited, safe, and functional outdoor solutions that actually work during severe weather and disasters.
How you can help
1. Write Congress. The most direct action right now is to send letters to your Representative and both Senators using the ARRL tool at send-a-letter.org. Personalize your note with local emergency-comms experience if you have it.
2. Track the bills. Bookmark the Congress.gov pages for H.R. 1094 and S. 459 to monitor cosponsors and committee movement. Momentum builds when lawmakers see sustained constituent interest.
3. About FCC comments. Because this is legislation, the immediate forum is Congress, not the FCC. If the bills pass, the FCC may open a rulemaking to implement the new law. That is when filing comments with the FCC will matter. Until then, follow ARRL’s advocacy page for alerts on any related FCC dockets.
We’ll keep following the hill-to-home progress of these bills. In the meantime, if you live under an HOA and care about resilient radio communications where you live, send your letters now and tell your radio club to do the same.
Trying to get a legal exemption to break the rules, will only serve to further piss-off your neighbors. Many bought their properties, because they were told that big antennas, and other undesirable structures would not be allowed in the neighborhood. Don't become the neighborhood nuisance.
If you can't build a big tower for your radio/s, your station will most likely be useless anyway, in a time of emergency when Amateur Radio licensees will be needed. If your station will only talk down the street if you're not using a repeater, your station isn't necessary (it's only a hobby horse). Amateur radios aren't toys to used like CB radios. They have a designated purpose, and aren't for daily chit-chat about the weather, your doctor's appointment, or your trip to the grocery store. Serious Amateur licensees live where they can build a big tower, without needing government exemptions. Don't become the neighborhood pariah.