Doc's Web Journal

Doc Ski's Legislative Blog.

Great Sites

Friends

Bravenet

Subscribe to Journal

Tag Board

Joe: Don't understand the resistance to a bill that would require completion of a certified safety course before a learners permit can be obtained. I am a motorcyclists and often meet young riders who are on the road with no clue regarding the nuiances of riding a motorcycle. Nothing but good can come from learning to ride a bike, BEFORE you hit the road.

Tuesday, July 1st 2008

2:10 PM

House Transportation Committee Rejects MC Learner Permit Changes

The House Transportation Committee met on Monday 30 June 2008 at 5:00 p.m., in a special session, to discuss several bills. Typically this committee meets on Wednesdays at 11:00, but the General Assembly is close to completing their tasks for this session, and there were many bills that needed to be considered by the Committee before the end of session. Among these bills was Senate Bill 375, a bill to shorten the duration and amend the requirements for a MC Learner’s permit.

SB 375, "The MC Learner’s Permit Bill" has been the topic of discussion on this blog several times in the past. In earlier iterations the bill would have reduced the time frame for validity of the permit to six months, been non-renewable, and/or the cost for renewal would have been $50. In one iteration it required all those under 18 years of age to attend the Motorcycle Safety Education Program offered by the NC Community College system.

The final bill language that was considered on 30 June 2008 was a “Proposed Committee Substitute” that removed the DMV riding skills examination, and required all new riders seeking motorcycle endorsement to complete the MSF approved Rider Ed course conducted by the Community College System. This PCS also removed the opportunity to renew the permit when it expired. The PCS appeared to discriminate against bikers in a number of ways.

We argued that the current MSEP program is funded by bikers (with an annual $3. tax on license plate renewals) which gives us license to voice our concerns about any changes. We suggested that although the MSEP is a high quality program, there are often long delays in gaining admission (sometimes as long as five months). Attendance in the MSEP is voluntary, and those who choose to, have an approved alternative method for obtaining their MC endorsement (DMV skills test). If this bill were to pass, the increase in attendance would overwhelm the existing infrastructure and possibly reduce the effectiveness of our quality program that is already struggling to meet the demands of volunteer attendees.

Several members of the GHSP, the NC DOT, and the NC Community College spoke in favor of the bill. The focus of their arguments was; in a large percentage of motorcycle involved crashes in North Carolina, rider error is the primary cause. Rider training improves skills, and may prevent crashes and save lives.

During committee deliberations my faith in our form of government was, once again, renewed. Members of the committee asked all the right questions and directed the discussion in the appropriate direction. Representative Ric Killian asked about the annual $3 fee, and stated that bikers had a right to question changes in a program they pay for. Representatives Nelson Dollar and Bonner Stiller asked important questions about the existing program and number of program attendees. Probably the most relevant question was posed by Representative Ron Sutton, “ What is the purpose of this bill... what does it do... why has it been brought before the legislature?”

Many other members of the committee had relevant questions and critical points, but I’m unable to remember all the events of the meeting. After extensive discussion a motion was made to give the bill a favorable report and send it back to the House for a vote. The vote on the motion was 11 to 8 against a favorable recommendation. So, for now, the bill has been retired. It is unlikely that it can be revived during this session, but I suspect we will see some form of this bill arise again in our near future.

Although we were there to testify on our issue, it was the ongoing communication with our legislators that turned the tide in our direction on this bill. The members of our community who diligently contacted their elected officials and informed them of our concerns about this bill, and the dedicated members who came to Lobby day and brought our issues before their elected officials. Thanks goes out to each of you for your part in this success.

Now would be a good time to contact members of the House transportation committee and thank them for their careful consideration of this bill. The list below provides contact information for the committee members:

House Transportation Committee:

Chair

Rep. Carney Beckyc@ncleg.net 919-733-5827

Vice Chairs

Rep. Coates Lorenec@ncleg.net 919-733-5784

Rep. Cole Nelsonc@ncleg.net 919-733-5779

Rep. Crawford Jimcr@ncleg.net 919-733-5824

Rep. Hilton Markh@ncleg.net 919-733-5988

Rep. McComas Dannym@ncleg.net 919-733-5786

Rep. Williams Arthurw@ncleg.net 919-733-5906

Members:

Rep. Allen, Lucya@ncleg.net 919-733-5860