February 17, 2007
Greetings from Nashville! The 105th Tennessee General
Assembly Session is underway with over 2000 bills filed. The first month
of the session has been about changes. The Senate is now controlled by
the Republican Party for the first time since reconstruction and the
House has a bumper crop of freshman legislators.
The following bills have been filed at the request of
CMT/ABATE. Please take a few minutes to call or write your
Representative and Senator to voice your opinion or better yet, come to
Nashville and meet with your legislators.
CMT/ABATE Supports:
-
HB1283/SB1511
Helmet Law Modification – Allows adults 21 and over “Freedom of
Choice”.
-
HB1335/SB0794
Right Of Way Violations – Increases the fine and gives judges
discretion to suspend licenses of those who kill or seriously injure
motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists or automobile drivers.
CMT/ABATE Opposes:
-
HB1536/SB0101
which would make it illegal to carry children under 12 as passengers
on a motorcycle.
-
HB1298
Mandatory Rider Training for persons seeking a motorcycle
endorsement.
Other issues we are watching include:
HB0201/SB0550
- Traffic Safety - Adds driving motorcycle while front tire is off
the ground to offense of reckless driving; violation is a Class B
misdemeanor.
Lobby Day 2007 saw CMT/ABATE members from across the
state gather at the Capitol to visit Tennessee Legislators and ask for
their support of CMT/ABATE positions on issues of interest to Tennessee
motorcyclists. New sponsors were added and no votes were converted to
yes votes. HAVE YOU
CONTACTED YOUR LEGISLATORS? You CAN make a difference!
As always, if you have questions or comments, feel
free to call.
