OFF THE WIRE
Today, Maryland became the second state in America to pass a law
addressing the issue of motorcycle profiling. Senate Bill 233 landed on
the Governor’s desk after unanimously passing through both chambers of
the statehouse and was signed into law a few minutes before 11am. The
law goes into effect in October of this year, as do most laws passed in
Maryland.
Significantly, the Maryland Confederation of Clubs, with the
collaborative support of ABATE, was able to pass anti-profiling
legislation on the second attempt. In 2015, the Senate passed a similar
bill unanimously but ran out of time in the House. Maryland’s success
should serve as solidified proof that grassroots manpower movements
work, and they can work very quickly.
This year, time was on the movement’s side and the bill was better
positioned as a result of strategic sponsorship decisions made after the
2015 session. The Maryland COC and ABATE initiated a collaborative
grassroots legislative campaign founded on a solid pattern of evidence
and relentless lobbying. In fact, the Chair of the House Judiciary
Committee, Representative Vallario, co-sponsored the bill. Impressively,
18 of 23 House Judiciary Committee members joined Vallario as sponsors
on the bill.
The MPP is proud to have been a part of Maryland’s efforts and going
forward other states should gain confidence that an aggressive lobbying
strategy can work well and work quickly. We now have anti-motorcycle
profiling laws coast to coast. And the momentum being created is
undeniable. There is currently Federal legislation that recently
received sponsorship making motorcycle profiling a national policy
discussion.
Congratulations Maryland! Your state serves as a model for an
effective and collaborative grassroots legislative campaign and lobbying
strategy.
Who’s next?