Washington State Helmet Repeal Effort 2013-2014 Session
We have a bill and we have a promise of a Senate Hearing from both
co-chairs of the Transportation committee, Sen. Curtis King and Sen
Tracey Eide. Perhaps for the first time in over 2 decades, a hearing
will be held at the citizens request.
We are
running 2 bills. The Senate version, SB5143, is an 18 and over Freedom
of Choice. To view the language, follow this link: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5143.pdf
The House version, HB1246, is an attempt to completely remove the statue. To view that language, follow this link: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1246.pdf
Both
bills were authored, prepared and pushed by yours truly. The reason
for the difference in language is simple. The Senate Co-chairs were not
willing to have a hearing unless the language was at the age of
consent.
We had our annual Motorcycle
Legislative Day January 17th. It pretty much suck trying to have a
motorcycle rally when the roads are slick with ice and the temp barely
breaking the frost temp. A continual freezing point fog hung around
while some 200 ran around the capitol seeking support for our efforts.
Washington,
like so many other States, has enough votes to pass a repeal, however
getting a hearing has been impossible for the past 23 or so years.
Thankfully, the Senate Transportation Committee had a shake-up when the
incumbant serial bill blocker, Mary Margaret Haugen lost her re-election
bid! So, our hope to rattle the senses of the legislature lies in the
hands of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Co-chairs.
Our
biggest battle will be getting a House Transpo hearing. The Chair,
Rep. Judy Clibborn has been blocking our attemps for years. I am
working my way around her as effectively as I can. We are hopful that
the Senate Hearing will ripple through the House and there will be no
choice left for the nannycrats.
One additional
thing that we have in our favor is that the new Governor has stated that
he will sign any bill that will increase revenue without raising
taxes. Wouldn't you know, we have a bill that will raise more than just
a few Billion dollars over the next few
years!
Anyway, 14 hour work days and orchestrating
the best testimony team you can ever imagine is the focus of the day.
Hell, there is enough time for sleeping once I am dead!
Lets see what happens when BOLT takes the mic!!
Stay tuned cuz I may need some help in the next few weeks! (Cut off date for a hearing is March 1st.)