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10NR32 - MRF News Release - ELECTION DAY WRAP-UP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 November 2010
Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs

ELECTION DAY WRAP-UP
It’s been one week since the 2010 federal elections, and all but 8 Congressional contests have been settled. It appears that the motorcyclists of America have fared well. Many motorcycle-friendly legislators have been elected and re-elected to both the House and the Senate. With record-breaking attendance at the polls, this year truly was an historic election. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) believe strongly in a working with a bipartisan Congress that supports the interests of the people of this country. The MRF will continue to work with both parties for the benefit of the American motorcyclist.
A couple of races of note included the defeat of House Transportation Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), who was a friend of motorcyclists, and the return of Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), who actively rides his motorcycle.

CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD APPARENTLY COOKS THE BOOKS?
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) grossly miscalculated estimated pollution levels in a scientific analysis used to toughen the state’s clean air standards, and scientists have spent the past few months revising the data and planning a significant weakening of the state’s landmark pollution regulation.
Apparently the pollution levels were overestimated by 340%, according to CARB. The estimate was a key part in the creation of a regulation adopted by CARB in 2007. It is unclear if this was an intentional overestimation or an accidental miscalculation, but the error mainly affects diesel fuel users with a potential trickle-down effect for all fuel users.

NEW CALIFORNIA MOTORCYCLE EXHAUST SYSTEMS LAW
Recently Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill (SB 435) into law that targets aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems. Law enforcement officers now have the ability to issue “fix it” tickets to bikes that do not display an EPA-approved stamp, regardless of whether the motor is running. Until this year, motorcycles were exempted from this law.
It is not clear why Schwarzenegger decided to punish motorcycle users who do not have an EPA stamp. We at the MRF oppose this sort of open-ended legislation, and advocate for the use of the newly-approved Society of Engineers (SAE) sound test for on-road motorcycles, technically known as the J2825 test.
As always, the MRF will keep you informed of these and any other issues affecting American motorcyclists