Press Releases, News & Notes
June, 1997

TEXAS HELMET REPEAL...A DONE DEAL!

NCOM, June 20,1997 - Governor George Bush Jr. today signed Senate Bill 99 to amend the Texas helmet law to allow freedom ofchoice for motorcyclists 21 and older, provided they have either complete a rider education course or carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance Although this compromise is not what Texas rights groups sought, they accepted the "either/or" amendment in a last ditch effort to get their helmet bill approved, and have vowed to fight the insurance provision both through the courts and in the legislature when it reconvenes in 1999.

According to Sputnik, who founded the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association and spearheaded the effort to reform their 8-year-old helmet law, "We have just come oft a national victory giving states the right to make their own decisions, and Texas riders spoke loud and clear that they would accept the deal on the table, but not without pledging to turn it up another notch next session to remove the controversial provisions.

"We tested our legislators, our System and our 'Warnors,'" said Sputnik, "and all three came through quite nicely. thank you." Sputnik is quick to share credit with Texas ABATE Confederation. the Confederations of Clubs in Texas, the Gulf Coast Motorcycle Rights Association and the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association. "We are also grateful to the National Coalition of Motorcyclists for being the only national MRO that actively supported Texas in our fight for freedom," adds Sputnik.

Congratulations to Texas' Legislative Warriors for a hard fought victory. making the Lone Star State the 27th free choice state, and the second state this year to reform their helmet law, following only three months after Arkansas" successful  effort. Prior to this year, the last state to modify their helmet law was Wyoming in 1983.

OTHER STATES MAKING PROGRESS

On June 6, the Oregon State Senate approved House Bill 2454, a bill to allow riders 21 and older to decide when and where to wear a helmet. However, the Senate Transportation Committee amended HB2454 to require all Oregon motorcyclists to carry PIP (personal injury protection). HB2454 was previously approved by the House of Representatives 32-27 on April 9 without any amendments, so the bill was sent to a conference committee to reconcile the two versions. On June 23, the conference committee amended HB2454 to provide for a study to "investigate whether abolition of the requirement that motorcyclists 21 years of age or older wear helmets increases the need for personal injury protection benefits for motorcyclists and if so, shall investigate the feasibility of PIP benefits applicable to motorcycles. The director shall consult with representatives of motorcyclists and the insurance industry in making the determinations." HB2454, as amended, must now go back to the Senate and House for concurrence before being sent to the governor who has publicity stated his opposition to the bill. considering that the Oregon helmet law was passed in 1985 by public referendum vote, ABATE of Oregon and BikePAC are to be commended for doing a tremendous Job in lobbying HB2454 through the state legislature.

Pennsylvania's helmet law modification efforts took their first step forward since running out of time last session, when Senate Bill 516 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on May 13. SB516 has since passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now awaiting a floor vote. ABATE of Pennsylvania was also gearing up for a House floor vote by amending their House companion bill onto a transportation bill dealing with railroad crossings. but that effort was derailed when other legislators attached amendments calling for the repeal of a controversial gas tax passed last session, which was the reason ABATE ran out of time last year!

In New Jersey, where Senate Bill 440 has languished in the Assembly Policy and Oversight Committee since passing the state Senate early last year, the committee met on June 16 and passed 5440 out of committee! The bill is now expected to be heard on the Assembly floor sometime in October. According to Gary Introne of United ABATE of New Jersey, "That means we are ONE step away from

New Jersey repeal!"

Lastly, ABATE of Michigan took their first stride toward freedom on June 18 when they succeeded in passing House Bill 4284 out of the House Transportation Committee by a vote of 9-5. H84284 now goes to the House for a full vote.