It Was An Amazing Ride

by Steve Panten

It’s here! It took 50 years to get here, and it was an amazing ride. This month ABATE of Wisconsin is celebrating its 50th year of fighting for the rights and freedoms of motorcyclists. I hope that you are going to have the chance to join in the weekend long festivities in Madison, or at least be able to join us for the rally at the Capitol on October 12th. What I am looking for the most is seeing the memorabilia and talking to the people that helped shape the organization. From members in the organization 50 years ago to members today, we have all done our part in shaping ABATE, and I am excited to hear how the organization has changed and adapted.

It seems the fight for our rights and freedoms has changed a lot in the past 50 years. From the early “wins” with the mandatory helmet veto override and having the ability to park more than 1 motorcycle in a parking space to what we are currently working on today, like protecting our fuel and our combustion engine vehicles. It took all of us to be successful. Congratulations on 50 Years ABATE of Wisconsin.

Last month we received a draft of a Right to Repair Bill from Representative Penterman’s office, LRB-6219/P1. Before we talk about the language in this draft we need to refresh our memory on the evolution of a bill. This piece of legislation is a bill draft and not yet a bill. “LRB” is Legislative Reference Bureau, who are the lawyers who draft it and determine how this is going to affect other statutes. If the language of this is going to change a completely unrelated statute, these are the people that need to find that. 6219 is just the draft number that they are on. The /P1 means this is the first version of the draft. If we decide we need to make changes to this, that number will change with each draft.

OK…now we got that. What we asked of Representative Penterman’s office was to draft a piece of legislation similar to what the Motorcycle Riders Foundation introduced in Congress, H.R. 906. Leg. Council in Madison took that language and made it work with our current statutes. The ABATE Legislative Committee discussed what they did, and we are very happy with the language. We feel it will accomplish what we are looking for, but there are parts of it that we need clarity on. We will continue to work with Rep. Penterman’s staff and the bill drafters to get the language right the first time.

Now that we have this bill draft, we can start asking the candidates who are running for office if they will support it. Time is running out before the election, but we have a bill draft that should be ready to introduce before the Legislature goes back to work in January. Let the candidates know that we have a piece of legislation that we are going to introduce in January that will ensure a consumer can take their vehicle to any shop for repairs. This piece of legislation would require manufacturers to make the tools and technology available to anyone that has the skill to fix your motorcycle. So, let’s ask them. If we introduce this bill draft, would you support it? If they say that they would need to see the language, tell them it is LRB-6219/P1. If they are not currently in office in Madison but they want to see it, let me know and I can send it to you. This is not the final version and some things about it may change, but the principle is correct.

Right to Repair bills are not new to other states. In 2023, 33 states and the Federal Government introduced some form of Right to Repair legislation. 6 of those states, Colorado, California, New York, Massachusetts, Maine and Minnesota felt it was important enough to pass it. The versions that they passed were mainly for electronics like cell phones and laptops, but some included farm machinery. Our bill is only focused on vehicles, but once discussions start with other offices it may expand in order to help us move it.

ABATE of Wisconsin’s Annual Meeting is being held during our Anniversary weekend. This is the meeting when the Legislative Committee meets at 11 am on Sunday to discuss our legislative agenda for 2025. What are we bringing to our Lobby Day? Be part of the discussion! The Legislative Committee is open to any member in good standing so join us and give your input on what is important to motorcyclists in the state. Our agenda is set by the members. You have as much say in it as I do, since I am just one vote. The things that we take to Lobby Day are things the committee decides to take, not me. Following the Legislative Committee discussion, the Board of Directors will meet. For some, this is their last meeting as the new Board is going to be seated when the election results are read. Did you vote? Just like shaping the state or federal government, this is how you shape the direction of ABATE. If you haven’t voted, you still can at the Sheraton Hotel on October 11th and 12th.

Want my final thoughts now? I am very interested in the history of our organization. Always have been. I have been a member for 34 years now and have seen many changes and every time, I think we get stronger. I am fascinated by the amount of knowledge and commitment from our members. From every walk of life and social group, how we are able to bring 500 people to the Capitol every year and speak with one united voice. That is impressive. We are dedicated to preserving our freedoms just like they were 50 years ago. Congratulations to all of us! We could not do it without you.

That’s it.

Steve