Doc's Web Journal

Doc Ski's Legislative Blog.

Great Sites

Friends

Bravenet

Subscribe to Journal

Tag Board

Hazel Quinn: My dear friend was killed on his motorcycle last year here in the UK. he was an experiencd rider but had no chance against a vandriver who was drunk. We#'re campaigning here for stiffer sentences.

Rob Wilkins: Doc: Great stuff! Thanks to you and everybody else who's looking out for us in Raleigh! Rob

DoyleSoft: Cool blog!

Sneads Ferry: If the NTSB treated aviation safety the way they seem to feel about motocyclists, their remedy for airplane crashes would be to mandate a helmet for every passenger.They seem to get that accident prevention is key for planes and trains...why not bikes?

Arnold Key: Keep up the good work

Voodoo: Doc Keep up the fight Brother... We have periodically copied your blog to ours and will continue to do so on the important stuff to keep our members fully up to speed

Hickory Doc: One of our chapter members services Allran's vehicles. Usually he fusses at him. Next week it will be praise and a CBA membership form.

eric: Thanks Doc, the email addy's made it easy.

mark infield: I appreciate the information and the comma seperated e-mail group makes it VERY convenient to cont the proper people to express my views. Thanks

Nancy Norris: Doc Ski, We certainly appreciate all your hard work and efforts in Raleigh.You are greatly appreciated.

sparkle: Today I am visiting the neighborhood and dropping off warm wishes to say have an awesome moment and week ahead and to remember you are special and important person to this world

Cindy Hodge: I have contacted my house rep, Li nda Coleman, once again and I will be at the legislature on Monday. Thank you Ski... big love,Fre

Vicki Cole: Keep up the good work Doc! Your efforts are appreciated by many! FREEDOM FIGHTERS its time to UNITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vinny Neuman: Great work Doc - We appreciate your efforts. Vin

Tom Umberger: Good work Doc, Let's keep the fire burning.

shaggy: This CAN'T happen! I hope everyone gets the message and contacts these legislators. When will this go (or not go) through???

Jim Everhart: Very INFORMATIVE! Thanks Doc!

Tar River Basin: nice blog Doc keep it upVoodoo

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