Remember I mentioned earlier that this is a short legislative session and things are happening very quickly? Well, HB 3077 (the penalty for not wearing an approved helmet or any helmet the same $25 civil fine as the current seatbelt code) is a definite example. Just yesterday we learned it had been moved from the Transportation Committee to the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee with no indication of when it would be heard. I talked to Jim Cannon at 6:05 this morning and he had just learned it was to be heard in the subcommittee THIS morning! HB 2585 (Motorcycle helmets; exempted from wearing thereof on certain byways and highways) was also heard. BOTH came out of the subcommittee with a 3-0 vote. So BOTH are on to be heard by the full committee TOMORROW (1/26).
Both of these bills (HB 3077 and HB 2585) need your support. If you can possibly make the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee meeting tomorrow morning (1/26) please plan to attend. It will be held at 9:00AM in House Room C.
There is really very little time, but if you have not written the committee members in support of these bills, please do so now. If you wrote for HB 2585 (Byways bill) thank you! Please take a moment right away to write and ask for support of HB 3077 ($25 fee for non approved helmet/no helmet). Here are the committee members and email addresses:
Sherwood (Chairman) DelBSherwood@house.state.va.us
Griffith DelMGriffith@house.state.va.us
Kilgore DelTKilgore@house.state.va.us
Wright DelTWright@house.state.va.us
Carrico DelCCarrico@house.state.va.us
Lingamfelter DelSLingamfelter@house.state.va.us
Nutter DelDNutter@house.state.va.us
Athey DelCAthey@house.state.va.us
Hurt DelRHurt@house.state.va.us
Hogan DelCHogan@house.state.va.us
Cline DelBCline@house.state.va.us
Wittman DelRWittman@house.state.va.us
Gilbert DelTGilbert@House.state.va.us
Scott J.M., DelJScott@house.state.va.us
Barlow DelWBarlow@house.state.va.us
Shuler DelJShuler@house.state.va.us
Lewis DelLLewis@house.state.va.us
Miller DelPMiller@house.state.va.us
Poisson DelDPoisson@house.state.va.us
Tyler DelRTyler@house.state.va.us
Bowling DelDBowling@house.state.va.us
Here are some notes to consider when writing:
HB 3077 Makes the penalty for not wearing an approved helmet or any helmet the same $25 civil fine as the current seatbelt code.
- Brings the helmet penalty in line with the current Seat Belt Code
- Currently a helmet ticket costs around $90
- An automobile driver cannot be ticketed for an improper seatbelt
- Most, if not all, helmet tickets written in Virginia are for the use of improper helmets, not wearing no helmet at all
HB 2585 Allows riders the choice of whether or not to wear a helmet on roads designated Virginia Scenic Byways.
- Promotes tourism in Virginia from out of state motorcyclists that would spend significant time and money in Virginia to ride on Scenic Byways.
- Byways are slower, less traveled roadways.
- Would enhance the riders’ experience of riding on Scenic Byways.
- Gives partial autonomy to adult riders
Here are links to the full text:
HB 3077 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB3077
HB 2585 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB2585
Unfortunately, there is bad news. HB 3142 (Exempts motorcyclists from tolls in Virginia) was tabled in committee this morning. Thanks to all who wrote for and supported this bill.
OK Virginia, that's it for now. If you can possibly be in Richmond for the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee meeting tomorrow (1/26) at 9:00AM, please do so. At the very least, please write the committee members in support of these bills right away and spread the word!
--
Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer
