It was another good week on the hill in Nashville as HB1283 (Helmet Law) passed the full Transportation Committee by a 9-8 vote, despite the manipulations that included moving it to the top of the calendar while a sponsor and supporter were not there yet and bringing in the Speaker Pro tem, Lois DeBerry to cast an extra NO vote. They did their best to kill it but we live to fight another day. IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US TO GET THE BILL PASSED!!!!

Over 20 motorcyclists from across Tennessee attended the Tuesday afternoon hearing. Scott from Tennessee Valley and Rhonda from Warren County came early and spent time visiting committee members and urging them to support HB1283. When the voice vote was called I thought we had enough votes but then the chairman called for a roll call vote. That’s when we found out who our true friends are. The bill was sent by Chairman Pinion to Finance Ways and Means Committee and it may be heard in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime we are working hard to get the bill reassigned to Calendar and Rules so it can go to the floor for a vote. In the meantime, keep calling and writing your legislators.

SB0794 (ROWV) passed the Senate Transportation committee last week and will be heard this Tuesday at 8:30 AM in the Finance Committee. I feel like we have sufficient support in the committee and the sponsor, Senator Burchett, is working his fellow committee members. Once the bill clears the Finance committee it will go to the floor for a vote and the House companion bill, HB1335 will be called up for a floor vote by Sponsor Briley.

Take a few minutes Monday and call the members of the Senate Finance Committee and ask them to support SB0794 to increase the penalties for those who commit right of way violations that seriously injure or kill motorcyclists, motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Look up the committee members and bill information at www.legislature.state.tn.us

Call me with any questions.