What Has the Concerned Bikers Association
Done for You Lately?
HITS:
· S64 (Motorcycle Learner's Permit): This bill would require nearly everyone seeking a MC endorsement in NC to take & pass a basic riding course & would have shortened the duration of a learner's permit from 18 months to 6 months with only one 6-month extension allowed. Under intense grassroots lobbying by CBA/ABATE & others, 2nd reading was delayed in the House, prompting proponents to negotiate a House amendment, acceptable to CBA/ABATE, that maintained existing law for operators 21 years of age and older.
· S368 (Various Changes in Motor Vehicle Law): Section 12 of this bill required that owners of MC's maintain in good working order directional signals if the MC was equipped with directional signals from the manufacturer. After intense lobbying of House Committee members & negotiations with the NC Dept of Crime Control & Public Safety, the sponsor & members of the House Finance Committee agreed with the request of CBA/ABATE to remove Section 12. CC&PS made a commitment to CBA/ABATE that in the future it would discuss proposed legislation with CBA/ABATE prior to its introduction.
· S820 (Create New Titling Categories): Signed into law by Gov. Perdue on 8/5/ 09 as SL2009-405 without any provisions adversely affecting the MC'ing community thanks to constant vigilance by CBA/ABATE.
· H9 (No Texting While Driving): Provides that as of 12/1/09, it will be unlawful to use text messaging while operating a motor vehicle on public roads. CBA/ABATE was part of a coalition actively lobbying in favor of this legislation.
· H82 (Increase Auto Insurance Liability Limits): This bill would increase mandatory liability ins. requirements from $30,000 to $75,000 for bodily injury to/or death of one person in any 1 accident; from $60,000 to $150,000 for bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any 1 accident; and from $25,000 to $50,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any 1 accident. CBA/ABATE was concerned about the economic impact of these requirements on the MC community & was able to convince the sponsor not to calendar this bill for consideration. It failed to make cross-over & is presumed ineligible for further consideration.
· H920 (MC's - No Passengers Under Age 16): This legislation would have prohibited the operation of a MC with passengers under age 16. CBA/ABATE was able to convince the sponsor not to calendar this bill for consideration. It failed to make cross-over & is presumed ineligible for further consideration.
· H1061 (Revise UM/UIM Liability Coverage Requirements): This legislation would require a named insured holding a motor vehicle liability ins. policy to purchase min. uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at least equal to $30,000 because of bodily injury to/or death of 1 person in any 1 accident and $60,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any 1 accident & would require that underinsured motorist coverage be equal to the amount of uninsured motorist coverage that the insured purchases. CBA/ABATE was concerned about the economic impact of these requirements on the MC community & was able to convince the sponsor not to calendar this bill for consideration. It failed to make cross-over and is presumed ineligible for further consideration.
· The Chairman of the House Transportation Committee publicly recognized CBA/ABATE as THE voice of the motorcycling community in North Carolina.
MISSES:
· H839 (Require Safety MC Helmet/Under 21 Only): This bill, introduced at the request of CBA/ABATE Gaston County, would have exempted MC operators who are 21 yrs of age or older from the requirement to wear a helmet that complies with FMVSS 218 & would have reduced the penalty for helmet violations to a fine of not more than $50 with no drivers license points, ins. surcharges, or court costs. While CBA/ABATE was able to secure a favorable report for the bill from the House Transportation Committee, it was amended to limit the exemption to those operators 21 yrs of age & older only when participating in a parade or operating in a speed zone of 45 mph or less. The bill was referred to the House JIII Committee, but the Committee chairman refused to allow the bill to be heard, & it failed to make cross-over & is presumed ineligible for further consideration during the ?09-?10 Session. While this legislation was not enacted this Session, CBA/ABATE gained many new friends among General Assembly members because of how it conducted its lobbying campaign and was recognized in Committee as THE voice of the motorcycling community in North Carolina.
As you can see, CBA/ABATE's "hits" this session vastly outnumbered its "misses". What's more, CBA/ABATE emerged from the 2009 Session with increased credibility and respect, both among legislators and state government officials.
Are you ready to become part of THE voice of the motorcycling community in North Carolina?
