January 29, 2007


The 105th General Assembly gets down to work this week. While the legislators have been in and out of Nashville for a couple of weeks, their work has been organizational in nature. With new leadership for the Republicans in the House, and for the first time since reconstruction, a Republican Speaker of the Senate, many legislators and their staff have been busy packing up and moving their offices within the plaza. The House will be in session this week, the Senate returns next week.

Helmet Law Modification Bill – I’m proud to announce that Senator Tim Burchett will once again sponsor our helmet bill. He has previously sponsored the bill and has gotten the bill passed. I will announce sponsors, after meetings next week, for the House bill. The bill will be submitted as freedom of choice for 21 and over. Period!

We have set a goal of 50 co-sponsors for the helmet bill. After analyzing every district and the excellent notes John Pierce and Wayne Shaub have kept, there are certainly over 50 supporters in the house. It is the job of the membership to contact their legislators and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor or commit to supporting the bill once we have bill numbers.

Right of Way Law – This bill is moving forward and sponsors should be in place next week. The bottom line for this bill will be increased fines and license suspensions at the discretion of judges. We will work with the AMA and I will be speaking at the next meeting of “Bike/Walk Nashville”, a bicycle/pedestrian organization who also have an interest in stronger right of way laws.

SB0101 – No kids under 12 was filed last week by Senator Burchett at the request of a constituent. There is no companion bill in the House. The Legislative Team will monitor the situation and update as necessary. The bill is not expected to be placed on notice anytime soon.

Brent Perry from the Nashville charter made two visits during which we met with Senator Henry and discussed both ROW and helmet bills. The Senator supports us and will assist where possible. On the second visit we met with Representative Rob Briley and discovered that he has riding experience as a younger man and exercised his freedom of choice in Colorado and California. He is considering the helmet law modification bill and has interest in the ROW bill. As Chairman of the Judiciary committee he would hear the ROW bill in his committee. Thanks Brent!

LEGISLATIVE TEAM MEETING – FEBRUARY 3, 2PM – Shoney’s Restaurant at the intersection of Nolensville Road and Thompson Lane in Nashville.

LOBBY DAY – FEB 13 Meet at 9:30 AM in the Old Supreme Court Chambers in the Capitol building. There will be packages for your legislators with position papers. Please make your appointments now or call Mike at 615 469-2567 to arrange your visit. The first 100 get Lobby Day 2007 Buttons.

If you can’t make lobby day, but can come to Nashville at another time, please call me and let’s go to the hill and visit your elected officials. If you can’t make Nashville anytime, please be ready to make calls and write letters to your representatives. Citizen activism only works when the citizens are active!