From: baxla@peoplepc.com
(ABATE of Florida legislative representative)
Subject: white hanky dropped yesterday, legislative summary
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 10:49:56 -0400
Primary list…..
Very surprised no one tried to hijack us with helmet requirements, the close as we got were a couple of threats.
This is a summary of some legislation we have talked about, referred to and watch during the legislative session that closed yesterday
HB503
In regard to his bill Representative Evers shared with us at our State Mtg back in Penscacola,
“Preservation and Protection of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Motor Vehicles Act of 2008”
he bill has not only been passed but was signed into law by Governor Crist on April 15
SB828
would have attempted to prevent children under 12 to ride on motorcycles, mopeds or ride with someone.
The sponsor withdrew this bill from consideration on March 12
STIFFER PENALTIES
Although Doc had stiffer penalties language attached to multiple bills, we did not succeed in getting any of it thru, including on SB1992
My hope is that some after session processing might occur so as determine why whatever strategy is being used continues to fail to accomplish anything of significance in this area.
HB 137
Did pass but with several amendments (It passed without our stiffer penalties amendment)
This bill did pass with the amendments as noted in message sent out 4/9, please refer back to that for more details if necc.
To summarize, we removed the confiscation provision, we amended it to only apply if you are exceeding the speed limit by 50mph, and the bill includes language in regard to a wheel losing contact with ground briefly due to road surface not applying. All 3 initial offenses now reduced to progressive fines, i.e. 1st offense, 2nd offense, 3rd offense.
"WE" removed the confiscation provision??? Check the records my friends. The lobbyist for the motorcycle industry council (MIC) Dam/Dara and Myself also attended committee meetings to peak out against this bill. According to one representative a large number of E-mail was received in opposition to this bill. In fact the opposition letter Representative Evers chose to read in committee came from an out of state police officer.
NOTE: The Senate version SB 802 only passed thru committees and was one of several bills with stiffer penalties attached but this version did not survive as the final version of the bill and thus our stiffer penalties were not included).
and the violation of 316.1926 was changed to apply to all violators, not just people on motorcycles
RIDER TRAINING
Were not able to attach to anything to change existing provisions this session
CELL PHONES, etc while Driving. – no gains here, everything died
HB175 died in committee
HB193 died in council
HB357 died in committee
SB266 died in committee
S1314 died in committee
SB504 died in committee
S680 creates restrictions in school zones, died in committee
DRIVER’s ED – very good that a pair of bills were produced and resulted in them working toward a committee substitute
HB1299 died in council
SB2678 died in committee
LEMON LAW
SB1190 died in committee
HB1439 died in committee
RACING
SB2604 was pulled into 1992 and passed
Prohibits driving in any race, drag race, exhibition of speed, or exhibition of acceleration
Thanks to all who helped with phone calls and letters when asked and another special thanks to those who rode with us to the Capitol last month.
May is Motorcycle Safety month for a reason. All over the US there will be more motorcycles on the road and more of us being slaughtered. Don’t be one of them, Ride to Live
JEB
In other words legislatively this session was not very motorcycle friendly. As few are. This is reality that needs to be faced and addressed.
There is an old saying, "if you keep doing what you have always done, you will keep getting what you have always got!" How many motorcyclists die while we grovel at the feet of politicians?Add to Technorati Favorites
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