LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICER BLOG REPORT –January 2, 2010
For starters I want to thank Mike Middleton, our State Webmaster, for creating this new site, and for streamlining the ability of the website contributors to be able to post some of their own information. This is a significant step for ABATE, because it opens the door for timely flow of information.
As we near BLACK THURSDAY 2010, we need to make sure that we are getting on the same page in regard to where ABATE is focusing our legislative energies.
We really need your appointment schedule that you have scheduled email to: legislative1@abate-wa.org as soon as possible.
There are 3 bills this year, and there has been a lot of input from ABATE members, Chapter LAO’s and other MRO’s. I don’t think I can name each individual or group here. Not because I don’t know who they are, but I do not want to risk leaving anyone out. They know who they are, and to them I say ‘Thank-you’.
2010 Black Thursday Agenda Items will include:
HB1964– Modifying Motorcycle Helmet Use Requirements. **Allowing choice for riders 21 and over, provided rider carries $10K in personal medical liability or has successfully passed a Riders Safety Education Course.
HB2093 / SB5652 - Requiring a Reduction in Toll Rates Charged to Motorcycles. **Modifies Toll rates for Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and any additional Toll Roads and Bridges to a maximum of 50% of the rate for passenger vehicles. This does not include any HOV/HOT lanes on hiways.
HB2511 - Addressing Motorcycle Profiling. ** The Confederation of Clubs, US Defenders and ABATE of Washington State are seeking support for legislation that would condemn and prevent the widespread law enforcement practice of motorcycle profiling. Requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt a policy preventing and condemning motorcycle profiling would reinforce the State Supreme Court’s rejection of discrimination and pre-textual traffic stops reaffirming our right to privacy as outlined in Article I Section 7 of the Washington State Constitution.
There are more details about each of these issues on this site. Thanks to Rep. Steve Kirby for sponsoring our Profiling Bill.
Follow this path to become more informed about our Bills:
Go to - LEGISLATIVE
Click on – CURRENT BILLS
Open the tab titled - 2010 STATE
There are other locations with updated information posted. Explore the site and you will find a lot of new stuff daily. Unfortunately, when I do postings it does not show on the front page as ‘Recently Updated’.
That is all for now…….
Mr. Breeze