At times, local and state governments have tried to restrict Amateur Radio operations by imposing ordinances aimed at controlling radio frequency interference – RFI.  Under these ordinances and statutes, local governments have tried to “shut down” amateur radio operations on the basis that the RFI is a nuisance to the affected neighbor/s.

In 1982 Congress passed P.L. 97-259, which gives exclusive jurisdiction to regulate RFI to the FCC, preempting state and local ordinances that attempted to do so.

For a better understanding of the federal preemption policy, you will want to read several online articles available:

• RFI Bill" Becomes Law; Amateur Radio Benefits
• Ghost in the Computer: Radio Frequency Interference and the Doctrine of Federal Preemption
• FCC Statement on Exclusive Jurisdiction over RFI
• FCC Letters on RFI - Pettit, Haller, McNamara and Smith letters