Press Releases, News & Notes
November, 1998

GEARING UP FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION

With the 105th congress gearing up for the Second Session, motorcyclists need to gear up as well and support the following federal highway reauthorization bills carried over from last session the House highway bill. H.R.2400 or BESTEA, and the Senate version, 5.1173 or ISTEA II, which include several pro-motorcycle provisions: H.R.2400 contains sections 0 guarantee that motorcycles will be taken into consideration during the development )f our nation's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), to prohibit the banning ~f motorcycles from federally-funded highways and streets, to keep rnotorcycle safety a national priority within NHTSA while emphasizing "accident prevention instead of injury prevention," and to provide $270 million for recreational trails maintenance and development 5.1173 originally only contained provisions for recreational trails funding, but has since been amended to include motorcycles in future ITS technology.

Since Congress was unable to reach agreement on a new federal highway measure prior to last year's deadline. they passed a stopgap funding measure to 888U13 continued highway funding through May 1,1998. Therefore, action is expected to be taken on these bills soon after Congress is reconvened.

In addition, motorcyclists should write and call in support of three separate House and Senate transportation measures that would prohibit NHTSA from lobbying state and federal legislatures on issues such as helmet laws: H.R.860, the "Surface Transportation research and Development Act," and H.R.2691, the "National Highway Traffic Safety administration Reauthorization Act," each contain provisions to restrict NHTSA's lobbying activities. Both bills are expected to be amended into the House highway bill (H.R.2400) when it reaches to House floor. Meanwhile, Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) and Phil Gramm (R-TX) have offered an amendment to the Senate's ISTEA II (5.1173) which would preclude NHTSA from lobbying for helmet laws.

HELMET FREEDOM: WHO'S NEXT? Riding high on the momentum of laving two states repeal their mandatory helmet laws last year; Arkansas and Texas, lot to mention the territory of Guam, several states have already introduced repeal legislation in hopes of being the next Freedom of Choice state. Three states; California, Pennsylvania and Michigan, have helmet bills carried over from last session and are at various stages of success. Meanwhile, the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) has found a sponsor for their helmet law reform bill which, according to NCOM, "will be he first time any organization has challenged Virginia's helmet law." The bill will be introduced by Delegate Jackie T. Stump, who recently became a member of the National coalition of Motorcyclists Legislative Task Force. In Kentucky, where the state legislature did not meet last year, the Kentucky Motorcycle Association/KBA has great expectations for their companion helmet modification bills; HB 106 introduced by representative Perry Clark (D-Louisville) in the House and its counterpart in the Senate )B 38 by Senator Dan Seum (D-Louisville). Seum has also introduced legislation SB 55) to make uninsured/underinsured insurance available for motorcyclists the same as it is for automobiles. The KMA/KBA is asking assistance from their neighboring states and others who either limit or refuse to ride in Kentucky because of their helmet law Petitions and letters can be sent to KMA/KBA Attn: Helmet Fight, P0 Box 17407, Louisville, KY 40217-0407, and they will distribute them to their legislators.

NCOM WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS During the recent NCOM Board of directors meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, the board voted unanimously to approve two new members to the NCOM board; Tom Duffee, State Coordinator of ABATE of New York, and Roger "Priest" Hurm, Chairman of the Board of the Modified Motorcycle Association (MMA) of Arizona. The board also confirmed two new members of the NCOM Legislative task Force; Virginia State Delegate Jackie Stump and Florida State Representative Nancy Argenziano, both avid motorcyclists and strong supporters of motorcyclists rights issues r' their state legislatures. NCOM would also like to welcome two new NCOM member groups; ABATE of Chugiak (Alaska) and the Kentucky Motorcycle Association/Kentucky Bikers Association (KMA/KBA), who voted near unanimously to rejoin NCOM.