It's been a good week for bikers on the hill in Nashville as our two active bills both advanced out of committee and we've made some new friends.

HB1283 (Helmet Law) passed the Public Safety and Rural Roads subcommittee on a 7-2 vote. There was no discussion. Dr Hensley made an excellent presentation and provided the committee with some documentation backing up his testimony. There's no doubt that having a doctor as the prime sponsor has opened the minds of some legislators who might not have been willing to listen previously. I know it's partially responsible for two of the subcommittee votes. The years of well developed relationships have also served us well.

The next hearing is the Transportation committee on Tuesday, May 1 at 3PM in LP 16. This is a large hearing room with lots of seats and it would be great to have a crowd of bikers in attendance. HB1283 is the 7th item on the calendar and may come up quickly. Special thanks to all who attended the
subcommittee hearing.

SB0794 (ROW) passed the Senate Transportation committee today on a unanimous roll call vote. It was assigned to Senate Finance due to the positive fiscal note over 100K. Any note with over 100K, positive or negative has to go to the committee. We need calls to the committee members with a special emphasis on Joe Haynes from here in Davidson County and Rosalind Kurita from the Clarksville area. All members need to hear from constituents asking for support of SB0794.

I think we can declare SB101/HB1536 (KID BILL) "Dead for 2007" as it has not gone to the now closed House subcommittee to which it was assigned and has been assigned to General Sub in the Senate Transportation Committee.

We are in the home stretch with the helmet law. I can't emphasize enough, how important it is that legislators hear from lots of bikers. Ask for support of both bills. Ask your friends and riding partners to call. Freedom and justice are another step closer and the bikers of Tennessee have the opportunity to make it a reality. Come to the Capitol and visit your legislators, come to the hearing next Tuesday!