Bills in Other States
Note: "Follow the dollar" is often advised to understand how decisions are made. It may be worthwhile to see in which states legislators are paid a full-time salary vs. those who receive only small stipends, and/or per diem and travel expenses. Salaried legislators may have more to lose if they vote against industry priorities in favor of public health and safety.
Perhaps that is why New Hampshire, where legislators are paid $100 and haven't taken a raise since 1889, quickly passed a law to study the health and environmental impact of 5G and EMFs, spent a year investigating, then issued a groundbreaking report with 15 recommendations to protect the public and the environment. Now the challenge is to enact those recommendations amidst heavy industry lobbying. See below.
Another factor to consider is how much funding each legislator has received from the wireless industry. Open Secrets lists telecom donations to federal legislators. At the state level, look for your Office of Campaign and Political Financing, or something similar. In Massachusetts see www.ocpf.us/Reports/LegFullYearReports. Filter by legislator, click on his or her ID number link, then on their page click on the Data tab to see contributors. You can specify sort criteria.
Alaska
In 2020 Alaska State Senator Tom Begich introduced SB 142 “An Act Relating To Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure In Schools” modeled after Oregon’s emergency bill, SB 283 (listed further down the page):
See also article by Environmental Health Trust which includes a statement from Senator Begich as well as safe technology solutions for schools to consider implementing:
https://ehtrust.org/bill-on-wi-fi-in-school-health-effects-introduced-by-state-senator-of-alaska/
Arizona
State Representative Pamela Hannley (LD-9) has a master's degree in public health and a strong health and medicine background. She worked on tobacco addiction at the University of Arizona School of Public Health. She voted against a telecom bill, and citizens have brought her current information on EMFs and 5G. She looked into this issue and posted this blog on her legislative website on 2/25/20, “Is 5G Risky Business?”:
In October 2020 she hosted a 5G forum and wrote the article, "5G Forum Reveals Risks, Concerns Regarding Widespread 4-5G Towers (video)":
California
Assembly Member Muratsuchi introduced AB 272 in 2019 which passed to require schools to adopt policies to limit or prohibit smartphone use by students at school except in emergencies or other noted exceptions:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB272
Connecticut
In 2023 Rep. David Michel and Rep. Anne Hughes introduced HB05107 To give municipalities different options in conducting the siting for small cell installations and to prohibit electric utilities from installing smart meters if the customer does not opt in and consent to the installation:
www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05107&which_year=2023The town of Easton has become the first in the nation to pass a cease and desist order on 5G small cells until they are tested and proven biologically safe:
Hawaii
Rep. Tina Wildberger proposed House Resolution 63 in 2020 Requesting a Study of the Environmental and Health Effects of Fifth-Generation Technology:
HB.128 would also stop 5G deployment until studies show it’s safe:
Although not a bill, it is noteworthy that 600+ people sent in a statement of support for a 5G ban in Hawaii County on the Big Island, and dozens of citizens testified in person even during the pandemic. Resolution 678-20 passed the planning board, and then Hawaii County Council with an 8:1 vote -- the latter indicating there should be more done to protect the public!
Senators Ruderman, Chang, Ikara and Wakai introduced B433 SD2 to appropriate funds for the Department of Health to create a social marketing campaign targeting children and their families to inform them of proven interventions to reduce child and teen screen time:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=433&year=2019
Deborah Green, PhD, was the driving force behind the Hawaii County 5G Resolution, and also an opt-in bill for smart meters (rather than opt-out). She just shared another health report Hawaii did in 2019 that was heavily influenced by industry and is mobilizing citizens to call for it to be retracted:
Illinois
Introduced by Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, House Bill 5818 from 2019-20, aimed to restore transparency, local control and rights back to the local communities with regard to 4G/5G small cell installations:
See press conference and additional information on EHT's website:
The Illinois legislature held a hearing on technology and 5G in September 2019. Testimony was given by industry representatives and scientists, as well independent scientist Dr. Pall Heroux from McGill Univeristy, and citizens:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylzo3OAQ5z0&list=PLMAz9ZRXjYmq72gXqnZ83grAd5eCC2Oxz
The Chicago Tribune investigated radiation exposures from cell phones in 2019 and found many exceed FCC radiation limits. Class action lawsuits are taking place against Apple and Samsung:
Senator Glowiak Hilton was planning to introduce legislation in 2020 to form a task force to examine 5G health and environmental impacts:
Louisiana
In 2022 Louisiana successfully passed Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman's HB548 Requires the state Department of Education to develop and distribute health and safety guidelines relative to best practices for the use of digital devices in public schools, resulting in these guidelines:
www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/healthy-communities/digital-devices-guidelines-(hb548).pdf?sfvrsn=18106318_2State Representative Neil Abramson in 2019 introduced House Resolution 145 "ENVIRONMENT: Requests the Department of Environmental Quality in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Health to study the effects of evolving 5G technology". This was unanimously passed:
https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=19RS&b=HR145&sbi=y
Maine
In 2023 State Representative Tracy Quint, RN introduced bi-partisan bicameral (both chambers) H.P. 466 Resolve, to Study the Effects of 5G Technology on Bird, Bee and Insect Populations and the Effects of Long-term Exposure on Children.
An amendment was filed as the University of Maine does not have the expertise to complete this investigation. Instead, a commission similar to New Hampshire's is proposed: www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP0466&item=2&snum=131.
A fiscal note was also added: www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_131st/fiscalpdfs/FN069702.pdf.
Maryland
Under Md. Code Ann., Health-General §13–1506, the Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council (CEHPAC) in December 2022 released an informational factsheet on how to reduce children’s wireless exposures entitled “Guidelines to Reduce Electromagnetic Field Radiation”.
For a more detailed analysis and policy recommendations please see the 2016 WiFi Radiation in Schools in Maryland Final Report.
Massachusetts
Click here for the Massachusetts EMF bills.
Michigan
Representative James DeSana in 2023 introduced HB4499 to amend current law so new 4G/5G cell towers and antennas cannot be placed on or within 1,500 feet of a school. "Construction: public buildings; placement of certain antennas on public school buildings, rooftops, and adjacent structures; prohibit. Amends 1937 PA 306 (MCL 388.851 - 388.855a) by adding sec. 1e." www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/billintroduced/House/htm/2023-HIB-4499.htm.
See media coverage of citizens and legislators taking local action: duckduckgo.com/?q=michigan+cell+tower+desana&atb=v232-1&ia=web
Minnesota
In 2024 Senator D. Scott Dibble introduced:
SF4727, Moratorium authorization in order to study the health, environmental, and economic effects of 5G technology
SF4728, Time-limited moratorium on approval of applications for right-of-way and small wireless facility permits local units of government imposition authorization
SF4815, Small wireless facilities permitting requirements modificationsSenator D. Scott Dibble's 2021 bill SF 339 Small wireless facilities requirements modification and appropriation includes Section 5, Study of Health Impacts of Deployment of Fifth Generation Technology: www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF339&version=latest&session=ls92&session_year=2021&session_number=0.
Montana
Representative David Dunn in 2019 introduced House Joint Resolution No. 13: A joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Montana urging Congress to amend the Federal Telecommunications Act to account for health effects of siting small cell network equipment in residential areas:
New Hampshire
In 2024 Rep. Jason Gerhard introduced:
HB1487 relative to the health effects of 5G technology.
HB1700-FN prohibiting the intentional release of polluting emissions, including cloud seeding, weather modification, excessive electromagnetic radio frequency, and microwave radiation and making penalties for violation of such prohibition.
In 2023 NH Governor Sununu signed an Executive Order directing a statewide response to the impact of social media platforms on New Hampshire’s youth:
See press release: www.governor.nh.gov/news-and-media/governor-chris-sununu-signs-executive-order-2023-04
See Executive Order: www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt336/files/documents/2023-04.pdf
In 2023 Rep. Abrami lost his seat, and Rep. Lucius Parshall and Senator Denise Ricciardi introduced HB.298 An Act relative to placement of personal wireless service facilities:
gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=500&sy=2023&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2023&txtbillnumber=HB298
See information sheet here. Industry derailed this bill.In 2022 Representative Patrick Abrami introduced HB1644 to begin implementing the 5G Commission Report recommendations (see below) with a 1,640-foot/500 meter setback for new cell towers and antennas, and a statewide registry for citizens to report wireless radiation harm:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2632&sy=2022&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2022&txtbillnumber=hb1644
Industry derailed this bill.See Dr. Kent Chamberlin's 20-minute presentation of the scientific reasoning behind the setback:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWK74ie7krc&list=PLMAz9ZRXjYmpsjY7soBpLn56MZHTvk1OPSee the HB1644 public hearings and sub-committee meetings:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMAz9ZRXjYmpsjY7soBpLn56MZHTvk1OPIn October 2022 the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted 15:3 to recommend future legislation to inform the public on the pros and cons of wireless technology, and to provide municipalities with guidelines for zoning protections on the placement of wireless infrastructure
In 2019 Representative Patrick Abrami, an engineer, introduced bi-partisan HB 522 to address the health and environmental effects of 5G technology; it was passed by the House, Senate and signed into law by Governor Sununu in just seven months:
https://alpaca-chinchilla-x6xf.squarespace.com/s/NH-Abrami-5G-Health-Environment-Bill-Jan-2019.pdf
Below is the audio recording from the Senate hearing on April 16, 2019:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senateaudio/committees/2019/HHS/HB0522_04162019.asx
See Rep. Abrami's article in the local paper when he introduced the bill:
https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20190404/legislative-update-on-abramis-three-house-bills
The following page tracked the Commission's investigation of wireless radiation impacts:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/statstudcomm/committees/1474/default.html
New Hampshire formulated 15 recommendations to inform and protect the public in the groundbreaking Final Report of the Commission to Study the Environmental and Health Effects of Evolving 5G Technology (HB 522, Chapter 260, Laws of 2019, RSA 12-K:12–14). Please note, the Majority report is contained in the first 17 pages, the bulk of the document contains supporting appendices and meeting minutes. A Minority report is included in pages 18-37. Commission members Ricciardi and Heroux counter several oft-repeated points of misinformation in the Minority report on pages 384-5 of the electronic copy, or pages 5 and 6 of 11 in the final meeting minutes of Appendix O:
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/statstudcomm/committees/1474/reports/5G%20final%20report.pdf
As noted in the report's reference to the Harvard publication, Captured Agency: How the Federal Communications Commission is Dominated by the Industries it Presumably Regulates, the wireless industry appears to be using the tobacco playbook to create doubt among the public. It came as no surprise then that industry representative David Juvet who served on the Commission but rarely attended meetings, published a disinformation opinion piece with no factual backing in New Hampshire media outlets the week before the report was issued:
https://www.businessnhmagazine.com/article/opinion-flying-below-the-radar
Likewise, the City Council of Keene, New Hampshire had voted 10:2 to put a temporary moratorium on all 4G/5G small cell applications until the legislative report was published. Another industry Commission member, Bethanne Cooley of CTIA -- The Wireless Industry, then threatened legal action and the Mayor of Keene directed the City Council take a re-vote and the ban was lifted, 8:7. Keene is, however, writing a wireless small cell ordinance to protect its citizens:
https://www.businessnhmagazine.com/article/opinion-flying-below-the-radar
In this interview with NH Governor Sununu he indicates, "... the role of government … comes down to health and safety" so we are hopeful he will protect NH citizens and environment over corporate profits: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/live-free
In December 2020 the European Parliament began an investigation into wireless radiation, especially 5G. The panel is a two-hour session with six representatives from industry and science. In the final minute the moderator recommends emulating the NH commission's process and report.
New York
In 2023 Assemblyman Simon introduced a bill modeled after New Hampshire's successful commission bill above. Assembly Bill A7229 Establishes a temporary commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology: www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/A7229
In 2023 Senator Peter Harckham [D] introduced Senate Bill 5632 Establishes certain consumer rights for the protection of consumer health, safety and/or privacy needs related to utility meters:
www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S5632In 2023 Senator Leroy Comrie introduced Senate Bill 5586 Restricts the use of advanced metering infrastructure devices by electric, gas and water-works corporations; requires utilities to provide notice to customers before installation of a two-way smart meter; makes related provisions:
assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S05586&term=2023&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y#S05586In 2023 Sen. Kevin Parker [D], Sen. Peter Harckham [D], Sen. Zellnor Myrie [D] introduced Senate Bill 2587 Directs utilities to study the potential health risks and effects of smart meters including, but not limited to, the risks and effects of the installation of such smart meters, and recommended safe practices associated with the use of smart meters; requires utilities to report their findings to the public service commission; requires the public service commission to prepare a comprehensive report to the governor and legislature:
assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S02587&term=2023&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y#S02587In 2022 Senator Pete Harckham introduced Senate Bill S8765, Relates to consumer protection and utility meter choice, to give ratepayers the right to choose a no-fee analog meter instead of a radiation emitting "smart" meter: www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S8765
In 2021 New York State (NYS) Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (District 92), Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (District 52), Assemblyman Steve Englebright (District 4), and Senator Anna Kaplan (District 7) introduced identical Senate and Assembly bills calling for a formal investigation into the health and environmental risks of 5G technologies:
S5926: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s5926
In October 2019 Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti introduced a bill that would require the State to investigate the safety of 5G. It includes language similar to the New Hampshire bill that has been passed into law:
In March 2020 Senator Anna Kaplan introduced a bill directing the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Conservation, in cooperation with the Office of Technology Services, to "...jointly study and evaluate the health and environmental impacts of the implementation of fifth generation (5G) and future generation wireless systems technology and small cell distribution antenna systems in the state."
Oregon
Senate Bill 283 was an emergency law introduced in 2019 by retired public health nurse Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson directing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to review the independent microwave radiation science and make recommendations. The Department of Education would then make recommendations to reduce students' exposures in schools. Corruption documented below derailed this bill and leaves Oregon students exposed to toxic levels of radiofrequency microwave radiation:
gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2019/SB283/
https://news.streetroots.org/2019/02/08/do-we-need-warnings-wi-fi
The Testimonies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g5mZFDIic0
Prof. Paul Heroux: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YdFz5vM0aY
Child's Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQugpEcxLDY
Parents Across America Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjGSc1xXET4
Parents Across America Write-up on the Oregon Bills, including additional testimonies:
Unfortunately, the report prepared by the Oregon Health Authority did not do what the law mandated and ignored all but epidemiological scientific studies, some of which were industry funded:
Cece Doucette provided a review of the report including seven areas where OHA missed the mark, plus information showing harmful levels of EMF exposure in school:
OHA subsequently posted "SB 283 Legislative Report Answers to Frequently Asked Questions" in which they acknowledge they "did not include studies on animals due to limited resources and a lack of funding for the bill"; they omitted thousands of biological studies and their report recommendations do not protect the public; they offer recommendations to lower risk exposures:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RADIATIONPROTECTION/Documents/SB_283_FAQ.pdf
Washington Spectator investigative reporter Daniel Forbes exposes corruption in OHA's report preparation:
The OHA Policy Board heard 2-minute public comments on July 7, 2021 identifying the corruption in the final report:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPB/MtgDocs/6.0%20Public%20Comments_updated.pdf
Written public comments were also submitted by the Environmental Health Trust, Environmental Working Group, Physicans for Safe Technology and others document the science indicating biological harm:
https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPB/MtgDocs/6.0%20Public%20Comments_updated.pdf
Also in 2019, Senate Bill 281 requires manufacturer of digital product to label product with information relating to health risks associated with use of product:
https://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2019/SB281/
Senate Bill 282 from 2019 requires Department of Education, in cooperation with Oregon Health Authority, to conduct study to determine and recommend appropriate health standards to govern student use of computers, mobile digital devices and other electronic media in classrooms:
https://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/2019/SB282/
Pennsylvania
In 2023, Representatives Brett Miller et al. introduced PA House Bill 1202 to specify an electromechanical/analog meter opt-out in PA public utilities statutes. For over a decade, the PA PUC and PA utilities have been enforcing a smart meter mandate, despite the current PA statute stipulating that "electric distribution companies shall furnish smart meter technology as follows: (i) Upon request from a customer that agrees to pay the cost of the smart meter at the time of the request." See House Bill 1202 An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for definitions and for duties of electric distribution companies and providing for duties of public utilities:
Rhode Island
House Bill 5992 Relating to Health and Safety - The Geoengineering Act 2019 was the first in the nation to compile all the hazardous emissions into one bill for comprehensive monitoring and prohibition. Page 4, line 27 addresses emissions from all generations of cell phone towers. See also electromagnetic references on page 1, line 11; page 6, line 13; page 7, line 24; page 8, line 1; page 10, line 16; page 13, line 28; page 14, lines 11 and 27:
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText19/HouseText19/H5992.pdf
Rhode Island introduced an updated 2021 Rhode Island Geoengineering and Hazardous Emissions Act
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText21/SenateText21/S0572.pdf
Rhode Islander Rachael McIntosh has studied geoengineering extensively. She provides a 12-minute history and details the biological and environmental harm for the Study Commission below:
http://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=cd83496e9f26&apg=ed687894
In 2023 the bill was reworked and renamed House Bill 5866 AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE ATMOSPHERE PROTECTION ACT which prohibits the intentional release of hazardous polluting emissions, including radiofrequency radiation, and provides for a natural climate while increasing resiliency by prohibiting deliberate atmospheric pollution and manipulation of the environment:
legiscan.com/RI/text/H5866/id/2722674/Rhode_Island-2023-H5866-Introduced.pdf
Tennessee
In 2024 identical smart meter opt-in bills were introduced in both chambers, SB.2232 by Senator Joey Hensley, MD and HB.2370 by Rep. Jody Barrett, AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 65 and Title 68, relative to utility metering:
wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2370
Vermont
In 2023 Rep. Katherine "Kari" Dolan and Rep. Avram Patt introduced H.70 An act relating to the siting of telecommunications facilities:
legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.70H.513 An act relating to broadband deployment throughout Vermont, 2020, aimed to ensure internet access to all residents:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2020/H.513Annette Smith presented an overview of the issues with 5G to the Senate Finance Committee on April 12, 2019. The Committee is investigating and has requested the testimony from NH 522:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=8YzgrCXaN-4
Additional Citizens educated their legislators on April 18, 2019 at the Vermont State House:
https://mailchi.mp/612017206454/april-18-vermont-statehouse-meeting-huge-success?e=6b187a71ec
The following story ran on May 24, 2019:
Vermont Department of Health was tasked with investigating the health risks and submitted the following report in January 2020; it would seem they looked to captured federal agencies rather than investigating the non-industry funded peer-reviewed science as New Hampshire has done:
House Committee on Energy and Technology Chair Rep. Timothy Briglin was not satisfied with the health report given citizens had presented compelling evidence of harm. He asked Dartmouth College's Rockefeller Center for Public Policy to do an independent investigation. The following was completed by three undergraduate students but it does not appear they did an analysis of the independent peer-reviewed science:
Senator John Rogers introduced S.212 to place cell phones on par with tobacco and alcohol, asking that it be declared a crime for those under age 21 to possess a cell phone given the social, emotional and distracted driving impact on Vermont's children:
As the following article notes, Governor Phil Scott vetoed the bill, which Rogers indicates he wouldn't have voted for himself but he filed it to make an important point about the impact cell phones are having on our children:
Elsewhere in Vermont, citizens are organizing and informing their community and their legislators. See this letter to the editor from Iishana Artra, PhD, CPC, 5G -- Not in My Front Yard:
https://www.reformer.com/stories/iishana-artra-5g-not-in-my-front-yard,570109
Emily Peyton writes 5G is a Horrible Plan in the Brattleboro Reformer:
https://www.reformer.com/stories/letter-5g-is-a-horrible-plan,570113?
Vermonters have also held public screenings of the award-winning film Generation Zapped, and 5G Apocalypse, the Extinction Event.
See the article on page 7 of the following 2019 year-end newsletter from Vermonters for a Clean Environment (VCE) for an update on EMF legislative efforts:
https://issuu.com/vermoner/docs/vce_end-year_2019_newsletter
Virginia
2024, Senator Bill Stanley introduced SB28 School boards; powers and duties, policies regarding cell phones and other handheld devices:
lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?241+sum+SB28- 2023, Senator Amanda Chase introduced SB 849 Public utilities; customer consent to install smart meter:
lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+SB849 See also testimonies and smart meter fact sheets at Virginians for Safe Technology:
virginiansforsafetech.org/say-no/