HB 3077 (Makes the penalty for not wearing an approved helmet or any helmet the same $25 civil fine as the current seatbelt code) made it out of the house today with 51 yeas to 48 nays! Thanks to EACH of you that wrote your Delegate about this bill.
We now need to get started working on the Senate. HB 3700 will most likely end up in the Senate Transportation Committee. NOW is the time to write each of these committee members! Below are the Senators and email addresses:
Williams (Chairman) district01@sov.state.va.us
Houck district17@sov.state.va.us
Miller district05@sov.state.va.us
Marsh district16@sov.state.va.us
Newman district23@sov.state.va.us
Watkins district10@sov.state.va.us
Puckett district38@sov.state.va.us
Rerras district06@sov.state.va.us
Wagner district07@sov.state.va.us
Blevins district14@sov.state.va.us
Deeds district25@sov.state.va.us
O'Brien district39@sov.state.va.us
Bell district22@sov.state.va.us
Devolites Davis district34@sov.state.va.us
McDougle district04@sov.state.va.us
Read the full text of HB 3077 here http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB3077
Here are some points you may want to consider when writing:
- 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
Write each member of the Senate Transportation Committee and ask that they vote "yes" to allow HB 3077 out of Committee and on to the Senate Floor for a vote by all of our Senators.
You may also want to send Delegate Abbitt a quick "thank you" for Patroning this bill, and all his hard work to get it through the house DelWAbbitt@house.state.va.us There is no question he work equally as hard to get it through the Senate.
Spread the word!!!
--
Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer
