Before
I report what happened to our two bills which were heard in the Senate
Transportation Committee today, let me describe what the committee room looked
like. It looked like the hospitality suite at a motorcyclists
convention. Motorcyclists from all over the state filled the room.
We had members of the U.S. Military Vets MC, Red Knights, Blue Knights, CMA,
ABATE of Virginia, HOG, GWRRA and many others. (Please forgive me if I
overlooked anyone). The bottom line is that the committee room was filled
with motorcyclists who had taken time from work to be in Richmond in support of
these bills. Their support was crucial to our success yesterday. In
fact, Senator McWaters made it clear that, with regard to HB 97, he changed his
vote in favor of the bill due to his conversations with members of the U.S.
Military Vets MC prior to committee. Thanks guys for your help.
Let’s
start with HB 187, our bill to prohibit motorcycle only checkpoints in
Virginia. We passed out of committee unanimously. That means that
we will go the Senate floor in a block with other bills that have passed
committee on a unanimous vote. There should be no debate on these bills
and they should pass easily. It is a fast track to the Governor’s desk
for a signature. It looks like one discriminatory practice in Virginia is
about to meet its end. This would not have happened without the help of
motorcyclists across this state. Congratulations to all.
As for
HB 97 (Two Abreast) we came out (with your help and with an amendment) by a
vote of 9-4. Here is what happened. We went into committee with a
very close vote count. Jim, Tom and I had spent the week meeting with
committee members. As usual the senators and/or staff members mentioned the
emails that they were receiving. An important vote on the committee
was Senator Carrico who is a former Virginia State Trooper. His vote was
important due to his close relationship to the State Police. The strategy
of the State police was to get Carrico’s vote and have him be the voice of
opposition on the committee in hopes of turning some votes. We turned to
Wes Hurst, the founder of the Virginia Bikers Association in South West
Virginia. Wes dropped everything he was doing and quickly mobilized
motorcyclists in Senator Carrico’s district. At last count Senator
Carrico’s office received over 200 emails from his own constituents in support
of HB 97. That was on top of the ones that the rest of us sent.
Without Wes and his people’s efforts the vote yesterday could have been different.
Thank you Wes and everyone who made their feelings known.
That
being said, there was an amendment. It was offered at the last
minute. The amendment made it clear that the only two wheeled motorcycles
would be exempted from the prohibition against riding two abreast. The
prohibition would remain in effect for trikes. This was out of a concern
that three wheeled motorcycles were wider and therefore left less space to
maneuver in case of an emergency situation when riding abreast. While we
were not happy with the amendment, upon conferring with several motorcycle
groups in attendance it was agreed that we would not oppose the amendment. If
need be we would seek to address it in future sessions. After the
amendment, on which we actually had no voice anyway, the bill was passed by a
vote of 9-4. It came out of committee largely intact. I personally
do not feel the amendment does much as the only motorcyclists that we have ever
had to help with this issue are two wheeled bikes. You can see how each
senator voted below. A yea vote is a vote in favor of the bill.
YEAS--Newman,
Puckett, Wagner, Deeds, McDougle, Smith, Marsden, McWaters, Carrico--9.
NAYS--Marsh,
Watkins, Blevins, Favola--4.
ABSTENTIONS--Miller,
Y.B., Colgan--2.
We are
now on to the full Senate. This truly is the final push. It is time
to get those emails flowing one more time. Below is a list of the full
Senate. As always remember to put your address especially if you are a
constituent. Remember that emails to each individual Senator work much
better than a mass email to all. I would not mention HB 187.
Concentrate on HB 97. HB 187 is on a fast track and the only thing emails
will do now is alert someone who may have a problem with it. It is time
to step aside and let that one roll. When addressing HB 97 it would be
helpful to tell them that it has passed the Senate Transportation Committee and
will soon be heard on the Senate Floor so that they do not assume that you are
writing about a bill that is still in the House. Lastly I would suggest
that if you email the committee members who voted for the bill I would simply
thank them for their vote and continued support of this important issue.
As for all others we need to make our pitch. Thank you again to all who
have taken their time to make Virginia a better place for motorcyclists.
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com
Senator McWaters – district08@senate.virginia.gov Senator John Miller
– district01@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Yvonne
Miller – district05@senate.virginia.gov Senator Newman – district23@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Obenshain –
district26@senate.virginia.gov Senator Petersen – district34@senate.virginia.gov
