AMA News and Notes July 2009

News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Government Relations Department. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events around the world, News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and contributions can be sent to Sheila Andrews, AMA Legislative Assistant, by e-mail at sandrews@ama-cycle.org.

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Riding to New Heights in Keystone, Colorado: Program coming together for women's riding conference. The program for the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, is coming together nicely, with seminar speakers, demo rides and other activities jammed packed into the four-day event. Held at the stunning Keystone Resort & Conference Center in Keystone, Colorado, on Aug. 19-22, the conference will provide state-of-the-art amenities and world-class riding to greet everyone who signs up. Register before June 15 and you'll receive a BikeBandit.com gift card worth $10: Sign up here.


Measure would put California's Chappie-Shasta OHV Area under Bureau of Land Management (BLM) control. The AMA applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for approving House Resolution 689 on June 2, which would put the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area in California solely under the control of the federal BLM and streamline the often confusing and redundant special events permitting process faced by local rider and clubs by eliminating the current dual management model. The resolution represents a collaborative effort between the federal lawmaker and the local OHV community, including the Redding Dirt Riders. The measure, introduced by U.S. Rep. Wally Herger (R- Calif.), now goes to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for further consideration. 
        Source: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/news/story.asp?id=953  


The Annual Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) survey is once again seeking on-highway rider's feedback and input. Answers provided will be used to help state and federal highway administrators better understand and plan for the needs of motorcycle riders. The survey can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/ovzduo and will be open until August 1, 2009.


California motorcycle smog test proposal modified by state senate. Thanks to the efforts of thousands of AMA members and other concerned motorcyclists, the sponsor of a proposed California law to require motorcycles to undergo periodic exhaust emissions testing has backed away from the idea. The measure, Senate Bill 435, which was introduced this year by state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica), would have required all model year 2000-and-newer on-road motorcycles with engine displacements of more than 280cc to be tested every two years and will now likely authorize law enforcement to ticket those riders who have removed their catalytic converters. California's motorcycle engine emission standards are already the strictest in the nation and, because of their relatively low yearly mileage totals when compared to other vehicles, the state's motorcycles have the lowest total emissions of any motor vehicle category in California. Riders also expressed their concern that the bill could require motorcyclists to always have a stock exhaust system, whereas automobile owners are allowed to install aftermarket systems, which can be less costly. The emissions testing provision was dropped out of the bill and it cleared the Senate on June 1. The measure is now in the Assembly for consideration, where it could face further amendments. 
        Source: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/news/story.asp?id=947


West Virginia: Recently the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreational Authority reported that the trail system has now recovered from earlier flooding in Mingo County, West Virginia, and that it was on back to 100 percent. During the flooding, Hatfield-McCoy lost roughly half of the Rockhouse trail system and nearly half of the Buffalo Mountain trail system. The Authority also reported that it was loaning equipment not being used to repair the trails to the town of Gilbert, which connects to the Rockhouse trail system, to help with flood recovery. For the latest information visit www.trailsheaven.com.


Maine: Senate Paper 369, sponsored by Sen. Seth A. Goodall (D- Richmond), bans the sale or use of motor vehicle wheel weights containing lead or mercury on vehicles beginning January 1, 2011 and prohibits the sale of new motor vehicles equipped with such wheel weights after January 1, 2012. The bill was signed into law on May 12th.

Also, House Paper 329, sponsored by Rep. Patsy Garside Crockett (D-Augusta), establishes that "a person commits the civil violation of motor vehicle violation resulting in death if that person, while operating a motor vehicle and committing a traffic infraction, causes the death of another person." Penalties include a fine of not more than $5,000 and a license suspension of no less than 14 days and up to 4 years. The bill was signed into law May 21. (Maine Public Law, Chapter 182).


The National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) will be hosting a workshop webinar series this summer and fall. The series includes four webinar sessions, each of which will last between 2 -3 hours or more, depending on participation. Please help NOHVCC schedule these webinars during the dates and times that will work best. Click on the link below to give NOHVCC your opinion and they will schedule the sessions to be held several times during the summer using the most popular dates and times indicated. To take the poll, visit: Doodle.com/mz5i5dcc4siw2z23 .


New Mexico: The White Sands Missile Range is now offering a basic motorcycle safety course, which saves military personnel from having to travel to get the training that the Department of Defense (DOD) requires for them to ride a motorcycle on a military installation. The course is conducted by an Army contractor, which provides motorcycle safety training at all DOD installations. The inaugural course was filled to its 25-rider capacity, the majority of whom were novice riders learning safe riding skills and techniques for the first time.


Ohio: House Bill 128, sponsored by Rep. Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown) and Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster), would increase penalties for right-of-way, violations of "assured clear distance ahead" (ie: following too closely) and marked lane violations that result in serious injury or death to another roadway users. Promoted by the Ohio Right-of-Way Working Group, an ad-hoc coalition of motorcyclists and bicyclists, these bills would give law enforcement and the courts new tools to hold all vehicle operators more accountable for their actions. Visit the Ohio StateWatch area of the AMA Rapid Response Center at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp to make contact with your state senator and representative in support of these bills.


Louisiana: Governor Jindal is backing a motorcycle helmet modification law recently approved unanimously by the House Transportation Committee. House Bill 639, sponsored by Rep. James Morris (R-Oil City), would allow adults 21 years of age and older to make their own decision regarding helmet use.


San Bernardino, California: Yamaha employees support country's busiest national forest. Employees recently volunteered for two important projects to support the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California and its off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails. Over two days, approximately 100 volunteers including Yamaha employees and family members, planted 1,200 trees and cleaned up numerous miles of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) OHV trails. 
        Source: ATVScene.com/fyi08/yamaha_0527.html


Marshall University OHV Recreation Management Course fall semester scholarship applications due by June 15. The Nick J Rahall II Application Transportation Institute, along with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), is offering a scholarship for the fall semester. For more information regarding the scholarship or to receive an application, contact NOHVCC staff at trailhead@nohvcc.org. For additional information regarding the content of the course, contact Dr. Raymond Busbee at Busbee@marshall.edu. If you have had interest in the past regarding these on-line courses, now is a great time to sign up.


Washington State: Trail funds budget raided. During the 2009 legislative session, as part of the nearly $35 billion state operating budget, the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account was drained. This account was originally created in 1972 by motorized users to provide grants to develop, maintain and manage trails and non-highway road systems statewide based on a study that estimated 4.6 percent of the state fuel tax was generated by off highway motorized use. In lieu of receiving a fuel-tax refund, users asked the Legislature in 1973 to put the money into a special account. Users voluntarily waived their rights to a fuel-tax refund so that they could instead benefit statewide from this program. 
        Source: OregonLive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/05/washington_parks_officials_wor.html


Missouri: Still no word from the office of Governor Jay Nixon regarding Senate Bill 202. The bill, introduced by Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), would permit motorcycle operators and passengers 21 years of age or older to make the use of a helmet a personal decision, except on the interstate highway system. The bill passed both the House and Senate by comfortable margins and was delivered to the governor on May 29.


The Maine Legislature, by overwhelming votes in the House and Senate, defeated a bill that would have required motorcycle helmets for all operators and passengers. LD 453, introduced by Rep. Paulette G. Beaudoin (D-Biddeford), was soundly defeated after the Transportation Committee recommended against passage of the bill.


Vermont: ATV riders seek access to state lands. Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood has proposed criteria that would allow him, for the first time, to designate ATV trails on state land as requested by local riders. The requests would go through careful environmental review and initially the trails would be intended only to connect existing vehicle trails on nearby private land or town roads. Most of the trail links would be short, he said. 
        Source: BurlingtonFreePress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990606020


New Jersey: Legislation introduced by Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Lawrenceville) would require the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to "designate three sites on State-owned land where all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles may be used." However, if the DEP is unable to designate three suitable areas for motorized recreation, it is simply required to file a report with the Governor and the legislature explaining why appropriate locations could not be made available. The complete text is available on the "Rights" page of AmericanMotorcyclist.com.


Nevada: A bill to require registration and licensing of up to 400,000 off-highway vehicles in Nevada has passed out of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, but faces a likely veto from Gov. Jim Gibbons because it would impose a $20-$30 registration fee on ATVs, motorcycles, dune buggies and snowmobiles. Senate Bill 394 is supported by rider groups, power sports dealers, law enforcement agencies, the Nevada Conservation League, the Nevada Association of Counties, the Nevada Cattleman's Association and the Nevada Farm Bureau. The bill language is available on the "Rights" page of AmericanMotorcyclist.com.