Despite short notice, more than two dozen riders made their way to the State House in Boston on November 29, 2011 to attend and testify to the Joint Committee on Transportation regarding a dozen motorcycle related bills.
Topping the list was none other than the MMA-Authored Senate Bill 1726, the Adult Motorcycle Helmet Bill. MMA Chairman Dave Condon and Legislative Director Rick Gleason verbally addressed the committee members and provided focused dialog regarding this bill and most of the other motorcycle-related bills.
During the testimony for S.1726, committee member Representative Miceli (19th Middlesex) said, “I don’t know who does your marketing, but I have to say that we have received many, many telephone calls, letters, FAXs, and e-mails in support of this bill and others.” Responding, Gleason commented, “If you are a rider here in support of S.1726 and other bills, please raise your hands. Every person here with raised hands took time off from work to be here to demonstrate the importance of this issue with motorcyclists.” To which, Senate Chairman McGee, looking at these riders, stated, “This is impressive. We usually see 1-2 people, not a large group such as yours.” These riders and those who took time to contact their legislators and\or these committee members should be congratulated.
Our message of support has been heard: loudly!
In advance of these public hearings, the MMA prepared formal written testimony to submit to all committee members, including those who may not have been in attendance. These information packets also included personal testimony from MMA Officers and were distributed before the hearings started.
This detailed testimony addressed all of the motorcycle-related bills and included facts and figures in support of many bills and similar information in opposition to others. Utilizing this approach, we have seen committee members reading our testimony during slower moments of these hearings. By the time we were called to testify, (last, by design) many committee members had already briefed themselves and were aware of the highlights. Our “Testimony” consisted of a more relaxed, dialog-style communication.
Additionally, the MMA was able to make it clear to committee members that another bill assigned to this committee, S.1797-the Right-of-Way Violations Bill, heard testimony from the public last June, five (5) months ago, and the MMA formally requested a “Favorable, Ought to Pass” recommendation be issued so that this bill can be released to the Senate floor for debate.
Hearing final MMA testimony, the hearings were adjourned and people started to disburse: everyone except your MMA Officers. We hung back and entered into informal discussions with a few committee members and hammered home additional information. Business cards were exchanged and follow-up plans were discussed.
So, what’s next? The Transportation Committee members will meet in the future to discuss this testimony, address all of the telephone calls, letters, FAXs, and e-mails, and issue a recommendation for each bill. Recommendation options will be one of three: 1) Favorable, Ought to Pass, 2) Unfavorable, Ought Not to Pass, or 3) Sent to Study.
After the holidays, the MMA is going to issue another Call to Action (CTA) asking riders to demand that Transportation Committee members issue, among others, a formal “Favorable, Ought to Pass” recommendation for S.1797, the Right of Way Violations Bill, and S.1726, the Adult Motorcycle Helmet Choice Bill, among others.
Transportation Committee members heard loudly your messages in support of S.1726; let’s do it again when we call for the “Favorable, Ought to Pass” recommendation for S.1726 and others.
Contact LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.com or visit www.MassMotorcycle.com for additional information or questions.
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