CALL TO ACTION: BIKERS WHO WOULD TRAVEL TO TENNESSEE

OFF THE WIRE
Tennessee has a bill that will allow motorcyclists who have motorcycles registered in a helmet-choice state to continue to have helmet-choice in their state.
HB 2648 is good legislation. There is no downside. There are no compromising mandates. It is not perfect, due to the age restriction which discriminates against young adults responsible enough for military service. It goes along nicely with the Privileges and Immunities Clause found in Article 4 of the US Constitution, and the 14th Amendment which we rely on to ensure freedom of travel from state to state. It is a step in the right direction, and would go a long way in changing attitudes about those who might otherwise visit Tennessee.

This action asks out-of-state motorcyclists to contact the Tennessee legislators and let them know that if this bill passes, you will visit Tennessee and spend money in support of their tourism industries. You might also contact the Tennessee Tourism Bureau.

Urgency: The suggested urgency for this action is within the next few days.

Here is the contact information and details about the Call to Action from CMT/ABATE

From: Carol A. Simpson
Subject: [Reps] ODD Freedom of Choice Legislation in Tennessee
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 9:35 PM
Okay, folks, settle in for a little bit of background and some interesting news, followed by a plea for assistance.
CMT and CMT/ABATE have been incorporated since 1982. That's how long we have been fighting to repeal the helmet law. We have accomplished a pretty impressive list of legislative successes in those years, including a statuted Rider Education Program and Rider Education Program Fund. Additionally, RoW legislation, handlbar height, removed mandate on roll bars, allowing vented helmets, no helmets in parades, proceed with caution at red lights, May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, Resolution to Congress to honor States Rights, and MORE. For the past five years we have garnered a sizable grant from the Tennessee Department of Safety to fund projects for Motorcycle
Awareness.
Still, no adult freedom of choice.
ONE of the biggest hangups has been the fiscal note attached to the legislation each year. Usually estimated at a couple of million cost to the State. We have TennCare here instead of Medicaid, and the astronomical figures balloon with the input of huge hospitals who tell their tales of terror of having to take care of brain injured patients with no funds or insurance, wiping the drool from their mouths long after family and friends have drifted away. Every piece of legislation goes to fiscal review. In this era of state budget deficits, any bill with even a small cost to the state goes to Budget Sub-committee, commonly called the Black Hole, never again to see the light of day, unless, miraculously, a revision of the fiscal note is achieved.

Forward to TODAY.
We call HB2648 by Tidwell and companion bill SB2562 by Southerland the "Reciprocal Bill". If passed it would allow motorcyclists who are 21 and over who are from any of the 30 freedom of choice states, have a motorcycle endorsement from that free state, and ride a motorcycle registered in that free state, to ride free in Tennessee. Those of us who live in Tennessee still must wear helmets, but Tennessee experiences a windfall of tourist dollars because others can ride free here!!
Just another bite of the elephant.... So, we held our breath, and yesterday, the fiscal note was released. Millions? Hundreds of thousands? hundreds? NO. NOT SIGNIFICANT!!!!! ZIP, ZILCH.
NOTHING!!!!!! Representative Tidwell had tried this effort a few years ago, but it did not fare well in full transportation committee. There are different members on ALL of the committees that will hear this bill this time around. NO BLACK HOLE. All of the legislators who have said, in the past, "I would like to support your issue, but it will cost the state too much money" now can support HB2648 and SB2562! (or fiind other reasons to back away.)
YOU CAN HELP!!! Go to the official TN Legislature's website--it is very user friendly and you will have fun wandering around looking at all things political. www.capitol.tn.gov
Check out the language of the bill. Look at the leadership members, the transportation committee members, the co-sponsors of the bill.
At this exact moment, CMT/ABATE has legislative champions, friends, and worthy adversaries. Among the 33 Senators and 99 Representatives, we do not have ANY enemies. Contact them ALL, or any that you choose. Rep. Tidwell and Senator Southerland deserve many, many emails of thank yous.
Both have been our champions on numerous issues for many years. the other 98 Representatives and 32 Senators should receive many many emails urging their support from motorcyclists in the thirty free states..
In the Subject line, be creative in a positive way...
"Upon passage of HB2648, I will ride my bike to Tennessee from 'Kentucky' and spend $xxxx amount of tourism dollars." or "Last year I spent $xxxx of tourism dollars while riding in freedom of choice state South Carolina."
Complete the email with a couple of sentences about who you are, what you do for a living, and that you certainly hope you will be enjoying the beautiful tourist attractions and motorcycling events in Tennessee when you are allowed to ride in Tennessee under the provisions of Hb2648/SB2562, because you already live and ride in freedom of choice state 'Arkansas' (or Florida or Texas, or Illinois, etc. etc.). Relay how much money you spent travelling in/to other states last year, or for many previous years. SHOW THE FINANCIAL IMPACT that could occur in Tennessee.
Please include your name town, and state. (full address if you want to)
So, instead of a cut and paste with a list of email addresses, I am asking your to show your adult responsibility and creativity and reach out and communicate expressively and positively to the legislators of the Tennessee General Assembly. This bill will be put on notice next week
for committee hearing the week after. Don't put this off until too late. You may wish to cc or bcc
your emails to legislative@cmtabate.com, csfreedom@aol.com, and/or both of the sponsors. Sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.tidwell@capitol.tn.gov so we can track the success of this request.
If this does not produce results from all you fantastic freedom fighters out there, we may replay the request with a cut and paste letter and a list of the legislators' emails. Lots of extra effort to produce a "cut and paste" email that we could be spending here, on the ground, putting together a successful strategy.Hopefully, you will enjoy checking out the legislative website and
looking up other motorcycling bills in this year's general assembly. email or call if you have questions.
By the way, our Lobby Day is next Wednesday, February 24. Join us if you can!!
112 War Memorial Building. 9:00 a.m. (right across the street from the State Capitol in Nashville)
Tennessee would be the first state to enact this type of helmet law legislation. We are very proud to put this initiative before the members of the Tennessee General Assembly.
If you would like to keep up with all the Legislative, Safety, and Awareness issues in CMT/ABATE, inc., as well as supporting our efforts, please go to our website www.cmtabate.com and sign
up as a member.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Carol A Simpson
PR/Communications Director
CMT/ABATE, Inc.
615 944 9797