HB 1527 (Representative Asay) the malfunctioning traffic signal bill is tentatively showing signs of life.  I say “tentatively” because although I have been getting good feedback in support of a hearing in House Transportation, I have yet to see official results.  When I left on Friday, Representative Clibborn and Representative Liias were in a meeting discussing future committee agendas.  Our request for a hearing or executive action had been submitted, so I must assume that it was under discussion.  There is still no harm in calling your representative a asking them to apply some pressure.

HB 1833 (Representative Finn) is still in the rules committee.  This makes it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.

Requests to move it to the floor of the house for action have been made, but we are awaiting the next meeting of the House Rules Committee, scheduled for 13:00 on January 19th.

SB 6062 (Senator Fain) has been introduced, and has been scheduled for a hearing at 15:30 on January 19^th in Senate Transportation.  It changes the language from two wheeled and three wheeled motorcycle to “single track” and “multi track” motorcycle.  This is being done to allow people who want to install the “Voyager” kit, effectively adding outriggers to their motorcycles.

There are mixed emotions about this measure.  Many people are seriously opposed to these kits, and are therefore definitely opposed to changing the RCW to facilitate them.  As an organization, until shown otherwise, we are following the guidance of the Washington State Patrol, which has signed off on the language.

Senator Rolfes is sponsoring a bill to add the recommendation of preferential parking for motorcycles to the commute trip reduction act and clarifying the rules that allow motorcycles into the HOV lanes, even when they are converted to HOT lanes.  Currently there is no real firm requirement or guidance on keeping us in the HOV lanes, merely past practice.  The bill should be on the introduction sheets, as I am going to be in Olympia Monday doing the final preparatory legwork before I put the bill in the hopper, but it is not too early to start talking the issue up with your representatives and senators.

Paul Arnold (ABATE of WA) has been doing a splendid job of working on the helmet reform legislation.  Although the chance of getting any action on this issue is minimal, it does not mean the conversation should not happen.  Even if you are someone who absolutely believes that a rider should never choose to leave the driveway without a helmet, it should always be that: a choice.  The idea of “safe crashing” over crash prevention is a bad basis for public policy.

And now, for the coming attractions:

Actually, there is only one real coming attraction, and that is

BLACK THURSDAY

January 19^th is the day set aside for riders to meet with their legislators.  The north diagonal has been reserved by ABATE, and there is going to be a ride in from Hawks Prairie that will pull out at 10:00.

It doesn’t matter what your flagship issues are, this is your chance to address them.  Whether it is rider education, road access, or helmets, get the vacation day scheduled now, call your representatives and senator offices to make an appointment, and get to Olympia.

Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) The malfunctioning traffic signal will revisit the issue of traffic signals not detecting motorcycles.  It allows for motorcycles, after waiting for one full cycle of the lighting system without being detected, to proceed through the intersection, but only after exercising the same level of caution as would be used at a stop sign.

I have been getting good feedback in support of a hearing in House Transportation, and I continue to meet with the remaining committee members.  The only real push back I have seen so far is from WSP, indicating that they will never sign off on allowing any motorist “running a red light.” Their position is more based on fear without any real data to back it up, and a bit off base, as there is already a precedent. Can anyone say “right turn on red?”  Also, there is no compelling data or developing trends against the practice in any of the states that have passed similar legislation.

The best thing we can do is continue to contact our representatives and ask them to support giving this bill a hearing, moving it on through the house, and sending it to the senate.

HB 1833 (Representative Finn).  This makes it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.

Requests to move it to the floor of the house for action have been made, but we are awaiting the first meeting of the House Rules Committee.

SB 6062 (Senator Fain) has been introduced.  It changes the language from two wheeled and three wheeled motorcycle to “single track” and “multi track” motorcycle.  This is being done to allow people who want to install the “Voyager” kit, effectively adding outriggers, to their motorcycles.

Senator Rolfes is sponsoring a bill to add the recommendation of preferential parking for motorcycles to the commute trip reduction act and clarifying the rules that allow motorcycles into the HOV lanes, even when they are converted to HOT lanes.  Currently there is no real firm requirement or guidance on keeping us in the HOV lanes, merely past practice.  When the bill has a number I will get that news out, but it is not too early to start talking the issue up with your representatives and senators.

Finally, don’t forget that Black Thursday is coming up next week.  (Jan 19)  Get the vacation day scheduled now, call your representatives and senator to make an appointment, and get to Olympia.

Until next time,

Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger

Come by and chat about the latest concerns in Olympia, and meet the people who are working on your behalf down there.

Rolf Vitous President of the WRRA

Legislature is in overtime, but most of the motorcycle related bills have met some kind of end. Here what made it, what didn’t, and toss ideas around for the next year’s work. We have a Ballgame coming, we need volunteers…  final plotting/planning for “Biker’s @ the Ballpark”

Hope to see you there

This bill would enable the owners of off road motorcycles to bring their bikes up to the same standard that road bikes meet so that they can be licensed for the road.  What this does is enable the riders to use the public roads from camp grounds and hotels to the trailheads and from trailhead to trailhead.  It is a boon to motorcycle vacationing for the entire family, and clears up a mess that developed as people registered their converted bikes in other states, brought them to Washington, and either were denied registration or had their registrations subsequently revoked.

We do not need to have everyone in the state call the committee, but if your representative sits on the committee make the call ASAP.  Deadlines are approaching, and we need to see some action.

To locate your representative follow this link.

Until next time, Ride safely and Legislate Well

“Texas” Larry

“We are starting down the slippery slope of making every vehicle that moves down the road to pay a toll on any road in the state!!!!!”

“If we do not do this right now the entire highway system will be bankrupt within the near future!!!!!”

It took a lot longer, and the language was higher ranging, but that is the gist of a lot of the testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee last Wednesday.  That was occasioned by the public hearing on HB 1382 (Concerning the use of express toll lanes in the eastside corridor).  If you are a supporter of the idea of setting up temporary HOT lanes on IH 405 and then tolling them to garner the funding to do the construction of permanent HOT lanes and further construction, then you ascribe to talking points 1 & 3.  If you believe that the SR 167 HOT lane project is an abject failure and should be abandoned immediately instead of being used as a model for expansion then points 1 & 2 are yours.  Either way, it was definitely a fun show.

The support was led by State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and former State Transportation Secretary Doug McDonald.  The opposition was led by former Senator and Senate Transportation Chair Jim Horn.  (I told you that it was going to be an impressive array of players.)  Facts presented had been “cherry picked” by each group to such a point that it was almost difficult to discern that each party was discussing the same issue.  This sort of thing happens quite often during debates, especially when people have widely divergent views on the suitability of a proposal.  I have no doubt that the real picture lies somewhere between, and the ability to come to such a wide disparity in the conclusions indicates that there is still much to look at before this proposal goes forward.

Here is the good news: this bill does not look like a slam dunk.  While there is usually a lot of give and take during the testimony, Secretary Hammond was definitely questioned more thoroughly than if some sort of “fix” was in.  While the line of questioning was not hostile, it was by no means pro forma to elicit praise.  (little words: no love fest for the issue)

As a biker, my testimony concentrated on the traditional role of motorcycles in the HOV lanes, how motorcycles support congestion relief, and the safety factor of getting us out of the general purpose gridlock to minimize our rearward exposure risk.  Anyone who has been towards the end of the pack when traffic grinds to a near halt understands the fear of being hit from behind by the less attentive driver.  My point was that if, not when, the bill moved forward motorcyclists needed to be included in the bill.  The bit of feedback that I got from committee members indicated they were not really thrilled with what they had to look at.

Until next time,

Ride Safely and Legislate Well.

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger (new material)

We have passed the first major hurdle in the legislative process with no real casualties.  Almost everything we were pursuing made it out of committee, in some form or another, with the exception of the traffic light bill  and helmet reform.  Neither of those was a huge surprise; the former did not have anyone really pressing for it and the latter will never, whether you agree or disagree, see the light of day during the current climate in Olympia.

There was even one sleeper that resulted from the hearings on SB 5027, a bill concerning the marking of off road use only motorcycles.  As a result, Senator King brought forward SB 5800 to allow a legal method to allow riders to convert their off road bikes into street legal ones.

Now comes the beginning of legislative “March Madness.”  The legislature has until 17:00 on the 7th to get everything out of house of origin.  The house and senate will be on the floor for the next week, shuffling and dealing until late in the night.  Then it will be frantic hearings to get the surviving bills heard in policy committees and moved out.

Now is when your representatives need to start hearing from their constituents about the bills they wish to see move forward.  (HINT!!!)  If you need to refresh your memory who your representatives are just click here.

I will get another report out as things get really heated up so that we can target any issues that may be stalling out.

Until then, Ride Safely and Legislate Well,

Texas Larry

Come hear all about what is going on in Olympia that concerns You, the Rider. Plus, we’ll discuss upcoming events and anything you folks have on your minds. Your concerns are our concerns

Please join us

Rolf Vitous

President WRRA

Here is the listing of all of the bills that are in play at this time.  If you want the long story or my loquacious take on any of this look back at the week in review.  If not, just follow the links for the bills themselves and give them a read so that you are up to speed when you are meeting with your reps on Thursday.

SB 5141 Limiting the issuance of motorcycle instruction permits.

SB 5242 Addressing motorcycle profiling.

SB 5063 Concerning special license plates for motorcycles.

HB 1328 Authorizing the temporary local suspension of certain motorcycle provisions for the operation of motorcycles in parades or public demonstrations.

HB 1333 Addressing motorcycle profiling.

SB 5185 Temporarily suspending certain motorcycle rules when operating in parades or public demonstrations.

SB 5027 Requiring motorcycle manufacturers to indicate whether a motorcycle is for off-road use only.

SB 5141, SB 5063, SB 5027, SB 5185 are all scheduled for hearings in Senate Transportation Thursday at 15:30.

I have a fairly full schedule, but within my time constraints I will be happy to go in with you if you are feeling a bit shaky about the whole legislative meeting thing.  Ian will also be in town if I am not available.  Just give me a shout on my leash (360-271-9285) or wrraleg@aol.com for you smart phone addicts.

Until then,

Ride safely and legislate well.

Texas Larry

Of course, next week y’all get to be the stars of the show.  Black Thursday is coming up, so get on the phones and start making arrangements to meet up with your representatives.  This is where the rubber really meets the road; I can make the case for our issues, but nothing will drive the message home like having a constituent in Olympia.  Investing one day of vacation time (or perhaps a “sick” day) to ensure that your voice is heard by the people making the rules.  Not only that, but you will definitely earn bragging rights when people are complaining about “the government.”  You can say that you did not just complain, you did something.

A few logistical details before we get to talking points and updates.  If for some outside chance you don’t know how to locate your legislator, poke this link.  When you call to make an appointment, if the Legislative Assistance (LA) does not have any available appointments do not despair. There is only so much time in the day, and it fills up fast.  They are also in session and committee meetings during the day.  Ask to make arrangements to meet with your member outside a committee room or pull them from the floor.  This is standard practice.  Also, have your issues clear in your head and ready to address.  Time is critical, so we do not want to waste a member’s time.  This is another mark of professionalism, and the member will appreciate it.  You can even bring along a bullet point sheet to leave with them so that they can keep things straight.

Now, on to the news.

1.  SB 5141 has been introduced by Senator Rockefeller to require any person applying for a third motorcycle learner’s permit needs to provide proof of enrollment in a certified motorcycle training program prior to receiving their third, and last, permit.  The bill hit the intro sheet Friday evening.  Representative Finn has generously offered to run a companion bill in the house.

Comment: If you go through three learners permits without being able to pass the riding test perhaps motorcycle operation is not your strong suit.

2.  A bill is being shopped by WRRA to make it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.   We are still looking for senate sponsorship.  Representative Finn has also volunteered his sponsorship in the house.

Comment:  That is definitely too limiting on communications between the program (agency) and the riders who fund that program.  We intend to protect the program from being subject to” feel good” and “pro forma” actions that have no basis in reality.

3.  ABATE of Washington is working legislation that would all local municipalities to be able to suspend helmet requirements for riders while participating in a parade.  Currently that authority lies with the Washington State Patrol (WSP).  SB 5185 is sponsored by Senator Delvin and will be on intro Monday, with the house version to follow shortly.

Comment:  Recently a request to suspend the helmet law for a parade in eastern Washington ended up in the equipment standards office in Olympia, where it was denied.  All ABATE is doing is trying to restore local control to a local issue.

4.  ABATE of Washington is also developing language for a clean repeal/modification of the helmet law.  Indications are that the houseand senate bills will be in the hopper early next week.

Comment:  Clean means no training requirements, insurance requirements, or any other restriction, simply freedom to make your own equipment decisions.  Although they understand that the measure has absolutely no chance of passing, they also understand the need to continue the conversation, and this bill will open that conversational door.  After all, it is really a matter of policy, not fiscal burden.  It makes more sense to engage in crash prevention than it does to indulge in the practice of injury mitigation.  Training trumps gear every time.

5.  The Confederation of Clubs and ABATE of WA are working on a bill pertaining to law enforcement profiling of motorcyclists.  House and senate versions should be in the hopper early next week.

Comment:  This has become a much bigger issue than law enforcement targeting riders based on their organizational clothing.  On the federal level NHTSA is pressing for grants to pay for check points where every motorcyclist is pulled to the side for “safety inspection and education.”  That is profiling taken to the nth degree.  it sends the message “you must be unsafe or up to something, you’re on a motorcycle.”  Definitely not an acceptable practice.

6.  A bill is being introduced by Representative Asay in the house to revisit the issue of traffic signals not detecting motorcycles.  Draft language allows for motorcycles, after waiting for one full cycle of the lighting system without being detected, to proceed through the intersection, but only after exercising the same level of caution as would be used at a stop sign.  This should be ready for introduction next week.

Comment:  While there was a measure passed to address reporting and maintenance requirements on non-detecting signals, no solution was ever implemented to get motorcycles through signal controlled intersections in the near term.

7.  SB 5027 Requiring motorcycle manufacturers to indicate whether a motorcycle is for off-road use only.  This is to correct the discrepancy where manufacturers market a motorcycle for off road use only, that does not meet federal motor vehicle safety standards, but do not indicate that information on the certificate of origin.  The bill is scheduled for a hearing in Senate Transportation on Thursday, January 20.

Comment:  While this may be merely viewed as a technical correction, there may be some far reaching ramifications.  There are some people who purchased aftermarket “kits” that purport to make the bikes street legal, and some of those bikes have previously been licensed for street usage.  The DOL has been notifying the ones it has become aware of that the registrations will converted to ORV in lieu of renewal of the on road registration.

8.  SB 5063 Concerning special license plates for motorcycles.  This allows motorcyclists the same opportunity as the rest of the motoring public to purchase the various supporters specialty plates, such as disabled veteran, Purple Heart, or university mascot.  This bill is also scheduled for a Thursday hearing.