LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICER REPORT - APRIL 2009
I’m not so sure you will all be happy to hear that things have been quiet in Olympia as far as advancing the motorcycle specific legislation that ABATE proposed this year is concerned. Our Senators and Representatives are saddled with the burden of working toward Fiscal responsibility; balancing budgets; a high unemployment rate; and Statewide money woes. There is little that could be done this year to push the Toll Bill (HB 2093/SB 5652); or the Helmet Bill (HB1964) into committee hearings.
SB 5387 (HB 1403) did make it for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee, however that is as far as it got this year. It technically died because it did not get voted out of the 'House of Origin' by the March 12th cutoff date.
It seems that there are only 2 bills that remain alive in Olympia that pertain to motorcycles.
HB1721 (SB5482) This bill passed through the Senate floor vote and is scheduled for public hearing in the House Transportation Committee this Thursday (March 19th) at 3:30pm. This is a VERY important hearing because the bill redefines 'motorcycle' to include 3-wheeled cars. (It also defines Scooters and Mopeds in vague terms). This redefinition of motorcycle could have significant impact on the Safety and Education fund. The WSP proposed the language and there is clearly an underlying reasoning. In this bill, there is a proposed language change to our current 'Helmet-is-a-Helmet' verbiage, referring FMVSS 218 back into the helmet definition. This is contrary to what the riders of this state had enacted on their behalf in 2003. The change creates ambiguity and vagueness that will allow for an increased ability to profile bikers by increasing the terry stops to check for legal helmets.
SB5995 (HB2087)// SB5994 (HB2151) have likewise passed through the Senate Transportation Committee. SB5995 eliminates the Safety and Education Board. IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE SAFETY AND EDUCATION FUND. Both Senate bills were reported out of committee and made eligible for a second reading, but neither saw any following floor action. Several senators were standing by to offer an amendment to remove the language cutting the Motorcycle Safety & Education Advisory Board. We can't count these bills out of action until “sine die” (when the legislature adjourns on April 26th). Since the bills are money related, they can be tied to the budget and kept in play until the bitter end. And keep in mind, these bills came from the Governor, so it is possible that she may call for special session if she does not get her way with the budget.
On legislation that is in other areas that are being watched, The City of New York is still determined to push through a noise ordinance similar to Denver’s , although much harsher in respect to enforcement. The fines for violating this ordinance would range from
$500.00 for a first offense to $5000.00 for a third offense, and would also involve
having your bike seized. Stay tuned, this may get interesting.
Nationally, the Federal Stimulus Bill that was passed by Congress to revive the ailing economy
has a provision that should appeal to motorcyclists: a tax break for purchase of a new motorcycle.
Here is the breakdown: From now until the end of 2009 any one will be able to deduct all state and local taxes from the purchase of a new motorcycle so long as the purchaser makes less than $125,000 a year as a single tax filer or $250,000 for those filing jointly. The deduction applies to new motorcycles with a purchase price of up to $49,500 and a gross vehicle curb weight
of less than 8,500 lbs. This is what is known as an “above the line deduction” which means all
taxpayers are eligible whether the purchaser itemizes other deductions or not. This deduction also applies to passenger cars, light trucks and recreational vehicles so long as they meet
the same qualifiers.
Finally, as we reach the end of the 2009 legislative session in Olympia, I have asked the Executive Committee of ABATE of Washington to support my remaining as LAO for the next year. There is a lot of planning and training that needs to be completed with all of the chapter LAO's. a considerable amount of time has been spent on forming relationships with other MRO's in Washington State, as well as the adoption of the US Defenders program by the COC. What all this means is that there is a growing UNITY in the motorcycle community of Washington. There is a matrix being formed that should result in a very effective approach to the legislative process in our future campaigns.
Enough said.
Mr. Breeze
Donnie ‘Mr. Breeze’ Landsman
Legislative Affairs Officer