A joint resolution to recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and to establish support for such amateurs as national policy.
Public Law 103-408 · S.J.Res. 90 · 103rd Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Oct 22, 1994 · Government Operations and Politics
Sponsor: Sen. Charles Robb (D-VA)
Cosponsors (48): Sen. Daniel Akaka, Sen. Dennis DeConcini,
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Commends radio amateurs for their contributions to technical progress in electronics and for their emergency radio communications in times of disaster.
Urges the Federal Communications Commission to continue and enhance the development of the amateur radio service as a public benefit by adopting rules and regulations which encourage the use of new technologies within the amateur radio service.
Declares that reasonable accommodation should be made for effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas and that regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operation as a public benefit.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 12 actions.
- Oct 22, 1994Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 103-408.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Oct 17, 1994PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Oct 7, 1994FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On passage Passed without objection.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Swift asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
- FloorFloor · Considered by unanimous consent.
- Oct 6, 1994FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote.
- Sep 14, 1994CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Aug 11, 1994CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- May 7, 1993CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.