NYS Legislative Update: 

S 02836, the Senate version of the helmet amendment, was introduced on February 13, not unexpected.  Prospector spoke with Senator David Valesky’s aides, who reassured him that the Senator is on our side concerning our bills. 

There has been no movement on any of our bills to date, so the time to be expressing our opinions to the legislators is now.  At the March meeting we decided to start with the Assembly Confiscation Bill A01939, and its Senate companion, S1705.  We will do postcards at the April meeting.  Please write or call your legislator to ask for support of this legislation if you can't make the April meeting. Their numbers and addresses are in this news letter.

The following is the text of the bill(s):

A01939:  Provides that ownership of unidentifiable part in identifiable motorcycle, other than a stolen motorcycle shall be returned to such owner, provided that department has made findings such owner had no knowledge part was unidentifiable and that owner wasn't responsible nor acted in concert to render such part unidentifiable; provides that a department investigation shall take place within thirty days after seizure of motorcycle; and requires commissioner to establish criteria to determine whether motorcycle shall be confiscated, seized or impounded and also establish a system to ensure return of motorcycles to owners in undamaged condition.

Federal Update: 

Jeff Hennie, V.P. of Government Relations for the MRF reports that both bodies of Congress have introduced HIPAA loophole fix legislation, bill numbers HR1076 and S616. They have not been voted on yet. 

He also participated in a meeting with Harley Davidson executives Tim Hoelter, HD Vice President and Wayne Curtin, HD Director of Government Relations, among others in Milwaukee. The goal of this meeting was to find an issue that we can work on together to help move the motorcycle community forward for everybody. 

The issue of alcohol was agreed on as being the biggest issue of concern. That shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us.  

I was having a conversation with some of our members after our last meeting and drinking was one the causes that was brought up for the decline in our membership and participation in our events. This is not the first time I've heard this and think some of you have heard the same thing. You all know I'm not opposed to drinking, I've always taken the stand that just because we meet or stop at bars on our runs no one forces anyone to drink. We are all adults, capable of making decisions for ourselves.

After thinking about it for a while I came to see the other side more clearly. I understand their not wanting to ride near or next to someone they do or don't know, who has been drinking. We don't want to be known as a "drinking club". We are a State Motorcycle Rights Organization. As a group we need to present a positive image to attract more members and participation in our events and rides. We are a group that likes to go out and have a good time and I know we can continue to do that.

With some help from our members, Road Captains and event committees we can make a few changes for the better.

See ya at the next meeting. Remember we are doing road cleanup after the meeting.