MASSACHUSETTS
MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION BILLS
Updated: March
16, 2017
S.1949 – Senator Thomas McGee – An Act
establishing a motorcycle safety fund - Seeks to create a dedicated Motorcycle Safety
Fund and also rebate not less than $150.00 for Junior Motorcycle Riders who
successfully complete the MREP BRC - Motorcyclists pay a $2.00 premium during
their annual registration that is supposed to be allocated to a Motorcycle
Safety Fund. Though this fund technically exists, it’s under
control of MassDOT; details are kept from the public. This Bill
seeks to ensure that this money is fully accounted for and stays in a dedicated
Motorcycle Safety Fund and is accounted for.
Co-Sponsors: Louis Kafka, Angelo
Puppolo, William Crocker, Susan Gifford, Todd Smola, Kenneth Gordon, Sal
DiMomenico, Thomas Walsh, Carolyn Dykema, Paul Tucker, Anne Gobi
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.2725 – Representative Angelo D’Emilia –
An Act regarding Motorcycle Sound Emissions - Seeks to direct LEOs usage in
favor of MGL 90-7S, 7T, and 7U - Massachusetts has two different set of laws
that address Motorcycle Sound Emissions. One of them is completely
subjective and allows Law Enforcement too much leeway when determining how load
is “too loud”. The other is completely objective and requires a
series of controlled tests specific to Motorcycles. The Bill seeks
to eliminate LEO use of the subjective law when dealing with Motorcycles.
Co-Sponsors: Susan Gifford, F. Jay
Barrows, Shelia Harrington, Angelo Puppolo, Will Crocker, Keiko Orrall, Todd
Smola, Kenneth Gordon, David Muradian, Donald Berthiaume, Carolyn Dykema, Paul
Frost, Paul Heroux, Kevin Kuros, Shaunna O’Connell, Paul Tucker, David Vieira
S.1923 – Senator Anne Gobi – An Act
relative to standards for protective headgear for operators or passengers on
motorcycles - Seeks to provide Helmet Freedom of Choice for motorcycle riders
within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Citizens across the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts have the right to bear arms, serve in the Military, and a
plethora of other freedoms, yet they are not allowed to ride helmet-free if
they so choose. At the same time, 4 New England Border States offer
“Helmet Choice” and motorcyclists are leaving or by-passing Massachusetts to
spend their tourist dollars each weekend; the MMA estimates that if only 10% of
Massachusetts’ riders stayed home each weekend, $1.25M per day would remain in
the Commonwealth. This Bill creates “Freedom of Choice” for
motorcyclists riding in Massachusetts.
Co-Sponsors: Angelo Puppolo, Todd
Smola, Angelo D’Emilia, Kenneth Gordon, Richard Ross, Kevin Kuros
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1917 – Representative Tim Whelan – An Act
relative to motorcycle safety with malfunctioning traffic signals not detecting
motorcycles - Seeks to safely allow motorists to pass through a red light that
isn’t working correctly - Throughout the Commonwealth, Motorcyclists,
Bicyclists and other roadway users find themselves “stuck” at Traffic Actuated
Control Signals that do not recognize their presence resulting in often illegal
and potentially dangerous results. This Bill creates a set of
guidelines similar to “Right on Red” which can create consistent behavior and
safe passage should a traffic signal malfunction in the Commonwealth.
Co-Sponsors: F. Jay Barrows, Will
Crocker, Julian Cyr, David DeCoste, Carolyn Dykema, Paul Frost, Susan Gifford,
Kenneth Gordon, Louis Kafka, Kay Khan, Kevin Kuros, James Miceli, Leonard
Mirra, Michael Moore, David Muratore, Shaunna O’Connell, Keik Orrall, Elizabeth
Poirier, Angelo Puppolo, Richard Ross, Todd Smola
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.2752 – Representative Sarah Peake – An
Act regarding Right of Way Violations - In MA, if a motorist violates another’s
Right-of-Way (RoW) they receive nothing more than a $35 citation – a slap on
the wrist; the potential penalty to a Motorcyclist, Bicyclist, or Pedestrian
could be a LIFE SENTENCE at the Cemetery! In MA, 65% of the time
that a Motorcycle is involved in an accident with another vehicle, it’s because
the other motorist turned left in front of the oncoming Motorcycle!
This Bill seeks accountability for motorists who injure or cause the death of
other roadway users due to RoW Violations.
Co-Sponsors: Tim Whelan, Jay
Barrows, Angelo Puppolo, Will Crocker, Peter Durant, Josh Cutler, Susan
Gifford, Keiko Orrall, Todd Smola, Randy Hunt, Ken Gordon, Louis Kafka, Richard
Ross, Julian Cyr, Carolyn Dykema, Gailanne Cariddi
Referred:
H.2731 – Representative Carolyn Dykema – An
Act regarding Special Regulations for Vehicle Specific Checkpoints - Seeks to
eliminate the practice of road-side vehicle stops for specific motor vehicles -
Roadblocks and Vehicle Checkpoints are periodically used for Safety
Purposes. Although the Massachusetts Constitution has specific
processes and regulations for how and when “safety” checkpoints can be
operated, it didn’t stop some local municipalities from violating the
Constitution with State Police support. This Bill eliminates
checkpoint stops based on the type of vehicle, or adornment of the vehicle
and/or its operator.
Co-Sponsors: Chris Walsh, Sarah
Peake, Angelo Puppolo, Will Crocker, Josh Cutler, Susan Gifford, Paul Tucker
Referred:
H.2750 – Representative Shaunna O’Connell –
An Act regarding Equal Access for Motorcycles - Seeks to remove and bar
limitations for motorcycles on certain roadways, parking facilities, and
similar locations - In MA, motorcycle operators are prohibited from parking in
certain structures. This Bill seeks to eliminate this
discrimination from all structures and roadways that receive monies for
building, maintenance, and/or operations from the State and the Federal
Government and excludes motorcyclists.
Co-Sponsors: Will Crocker, David
DeCoste, Geoff Diehl, Susan Gifford, Kevin Kuros, Angelo Puppolo, Bruce Tarr,
Rick Gleason (MMA)
Referred:
S.1948 – Senator Joan Lovely - An Act regarding Equal Access for
Motorcycles - Seeks to remove and bar limitations for motorcycles on certain
roadways, parking facilities, and similar locations - In MA, motorcycle
operators are prohibited from parking in certain structures. This
Bill seeks to eliminate this discrimination from all structures and roadways that
receive monies for building, maintenance, and/or operations from the State and
the Federal Government and excludes motorcyclists.
Co-Sponsors: Thomas Walsh, Paul
Tucker
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1845 – Representative Brad Hill – An Act
relative to Motorcycle Safety - An Act that seeks to change language changing “Motorcycle Safety
Foundation” and “Motorcycle Safety Fund” to the “Massachusetts Motorcycle Rider
Education Program”.
Co-Sponsors: Tim
Whelan, F. Jay Barrows, Angelo Puppolo, Will Crocker, Susan Gifford, Todd
Smola, Keiko Orrall, David Muradian, Bruce Tarr, Paul Tucker, Kevin Kuros
Referred: Joint Committee on
Transportation
REDUNDANT TO MMA BILLS
S.1922
– Anne Gobi – An Act to promote and advance motorcycle safety – Older version of
the MMA’s “rebate” for successful BRC passage for Junior Riders
Co-Sponsors:
None
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
S.1921
– Anne Gobi – An Act defining special regulations for vehicle specific
checkpoints
Co-Sponsors:
None
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1862
– Marc Lombardo – An Act relative to motorcycle helmet choice for 18+ year old
riders.
Co-Sponsors:
Shaunna O’Connell
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
NON-MMA BILLS (to monitor)
S.1947
– Barbara L’Italian – An Act to allow Lane-Splitting in the Commonwealth (By
Request)
Co-Sponsors:
None
Referred: Joint Committee on Public Safety
S.1175
– Cynthia Stone Creem - An Act to protect children and families from harmful
flame retardants
Co-Sponsors:
LOTS (34)
Referred: Joint Committee on Public Safety
S.1924
– Anne Gobi – An Act providing for distinctive registration plates for certain
veterans who participated in the testing of Atomic Weapons
Co-Sponsors: None
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1818
– Michael Day – An Act relative to license plates
Co-Sponsors:
Leonard Mirra, Jose Tosado, Chris Walsh
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1807
– James Cantwell – An Act allowing for a Legion of Merit license plate
Co-Sponsors: None
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1825
– James Dwyer – An Act exempting Veterans from the standard registration fee
for Veterans license plates
Co-Sponsors: Timothy Whelan, Michael Day
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
H.1891
– Todd Smola – An Act to authorize firefighter motorcycle license plates
Co-Sponsors: Timothy Whelan
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
S.96
– Michael Brady – An Act relative to the digital Right to Repair – Excludes “a
Motorcycle”
Co-Sponsors:
Thomas Calter, James Timilty, Walter Timilty, Joan Lovely, Josh Culter,
William Brownsburger
Referred: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection
and Professional Licensure
H.2763
– Claire Cronin – An Act providing for designated parking for veterans at city
and town halls
Co-Sponsors: Jason M Lewis, Carole A Fiola, Michelle
M DuBois, Jeffrey Roy, Shaunna O’Connell
Referred: Joint Committee on Veterans and
Federal Affiars
H.1846
– Brad Hill – An Act relative to updating Massachusetts driver education
Co-Sponsors: Louis Kafka
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
SECTION
1. Section 13D of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014
Official Edition, is hereby amended, in line 22, by striking the words “Motorcycle
Safety Foundation” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
“Massachusetts Motorcycle Rider Education Program”.
SECTION
2. Section 32G of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014
Official Edition, is hereby amended, in lines 190-191, by striking the words
“Motorcycle Safety Foundation” and inserting in place thereof the following
words:- “Massachusetts Motorcycle Rider Education Program”.
HD.3593 – Joseph
McKenna – An Act to allow hardship licenses and interlocking ignition devices
on motorcycles
Co-Sponsors:
Referred:
HD.3588 – Antonio
Cabral – An Act creating the Massachusetts Transportation and Environment
Equity Fund
Co-Sponsors:
Referred:
HD.3401 – Daniel Cahill
- An Act Establishing a Motorcycle Safety Fund
Co-Sponsors: None
Referred:
Chapter
10 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition is hereby
amended by:
Inserting
after section 35AAA the following section:-
35BBB
There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a
separate fund to be known as the Motorcycle Safety Fund for motorcycle safety
related activities. Such fund shall consist of all revenues received by the
commonwealth under section thirty-four of chapter ninety and which are
specifically designed therein for said Motorcycle Safety Fund.
All
revenues credited under this section shall remain in said Motorcycle Safety
Fund, subject to appropriation to establish motorcycle safety related
activities.
HD.3128 – Paul
Schmid - An Act to reduce the fee for motor vehicle veteran registration plates
Co-Sponsors:
Referred:
HD.3058 – Nick
Collins - An Act relative to autocycle motor vehicle definition and operating
requirements
Co-Sponsors:
Referred:
H.1916 – Thomas
Walsh - An Act establishing the Blue Star Family license plate
Co-Sponsors: Lots
(52)
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
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H.1805 – Thomas
Calter – An Act relative to Antique Boats, Automobiles, and Motorcycles
Co-Sponsors: Vinny deMacedo, Steven Howitt,
Michael O Moore, Mathew Muratore, Keiko Orrall, Bruce E Tarr, Chris Walsh
Referred: Joint Committee on
Transportation
H.143 – Claire
Cronin – An Act relative to the digital right to repair
Co-Sponsors:
Referred: Joint Committee on Consumer
Protection and Professional Licensure
“Excludes a Motorcycle”
H.1888 – Jeffrey
Roy – An Act to further regulate Motorcycle Exhaust Sound Levels
Co-Sponsors: Paul McMurtry
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
§7S. Definitions.
The
following words used in this section twenty-four A to twenty-four C,
inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires shall have the following
meanings:
"A-weighted
sound level", the sound level in decibels as measured on a sound level
meter using a A-weighting network.
The level is designated dB(A).
"Decibel
(dB)", a unit for measuring the volume of a sound, equal to twenty times
the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound
measured to the reference pressure; which is 20 micropascals or 20
micronewtons per square meter.
"Motorcycle",
any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and
designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground,
including any bicycle with a motor or driving wheel attached, except a
tractor or a motor vehicle designed for carrying golf clubs and not more than
four persons, an industrial three-wheel truck, or a motor vehicle on which
the operator and passengers ride within an enclosed cab.
"Person",
an individual, association, partnership, or corporation, and includes any
officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality of the commonwealth
or any political subdivision of the commonwealth.
"Registrar",
the registrar of motor vehicles.
"Sound
level", the weighted sound pressure level obtained by the use of a sound
level meter and frequency weighting network, such as A, B or C as specified
in American National Standards Institute specifications for sound level
meters (ANSI S1.4-1971 or any successor ANSI sound level meter
specifications). If the frequency
weighting employed is not indicated, the A-weighting shall apply.
§7T. Motorcycle sound levels; testing
regulations.
§7U. Motorcycles; maximum sound levels.
No
person shall operate any motorcycle intended for use on the highways of the
commonwealth and registered under the provisions of section two of chapter
ninety which produces a sound level in excess of the following decibels, when
measured in accordance with the provisions of the SAE International
Recommended Practice SAE J2825, “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels
of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles”:
(a)
Ninety-two dBA at idle.
(b)
Ninety-six dBA at 2000 (±200) rpm or 75% of maximum engine speed, whichever
is less, for motorcycles with less than three cylinders or more than four
cylinders.
(c)
One hundred dBA at 5000 rpm (±200) rpm or 75% of maximum engine speed,
whichever is less, for motorcycles with three or four cylinders.
Before
determining compliance, two dBA should be subtracted from the sound
measurement for any motorcycle equipped with an exhaust system labeled in
accordance with 40 CFR 205.169(e)(1) as meeting the Federal EPA noise
emission requirements. This
adjustment shall not apply to labeled systems that have obviously been
modified or tampered with.
H.1831 – William Galvin - An Act relative to motorcycle inspections
Co-Sponsors:
None
Referred: Joint Committee on Transportation
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 90 or
any other law, rule or regulation, the owner of any motorcycle shall be
allowed 10 days in order to obtain a safety inspection sticker.
S.1979 – Richard Ross - An Act relative to distinctive plates for
veterans
Co-Sponsors:
Don Humason, Ryan Fattman, Linda Campbell, Eric Lesser, Bruce Tarr
SECTION 1. The
fifteenth paragraph of section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as
appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in
line 411, after the word “furnish” the following words:- “without charge”.
SECTION 2. Said
fifteenth paragraph of section 2 of chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby
further amended by striking the third sentence.
SECTION 3. Said
section 2 of chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting
the following:-
“Notwithstanding
any provision of this section, no veteran, who is the owner of a private
passenger motor vehicle or a motorcycle, shall be charged an annual fee for a
distinctive registration plate.”
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