Meet the States

Conference Report by Dave Dwyer

The Meeting Of the Minds Conference (MOTM) starts Thursday evening with a session called Meet the States where Leadership from the Sustaining State Motorcyclists Rights Organizations get the opportunity to let the rest of us know what they have been doing since the last MOTM. States are allowed to present up to three items from their agenda or accomplishments. This year 30 SSMROs submitted material for the program. As you might guess, we ran over the allotted 2 hours.

 

If you would like more information on any of these items reach out to the SSMRO or their State Rep. Here are the submissions.

ABATE of Illinois

• Defeated Mandatory Helmet Bill
• Defeated several attempts at California Emissions
• Introduced 1st in the Nation law to criminalize remote operation of vehicles on public roadway

ABATE of Michigan

• Fighting to stay helmet law free
• Still fighting the Insurance Industry
• Fighting an attack on loud exhaust pipes

ABATE of Arkansas

• Created an Arkansas MRF Social Media Presence
• Arranged the Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Proclamation with Governor Sanders
• Started an Arkansas based Biker Magazine that covers politics and National Rights work

ABATE of Colorado

• Passed a Lane Filtering law
• Passed a Hands-Free bill for Distracted Driving
• Motorcycles were taken off the Vulnerable Road Users List

ABATE of Wisconsin

• Stopped bill requiring new gas stations to sell minimum E-15 for 5 years
• Motorcycle training Summit partnership with DOT
• Celebrating our 50-year anniversary

Freedom of the Road Riders

• Right to Repair
• Driver’s Education in Schools
• Raise maximum CC from 250 to 300 for training bikes

Arizona, 4 SSMROs

• SB1376 passed to keep debris off Roadway
• Worked to get traffic signals changed at 5 major intersections in Tucson
• Shared a booth at Too Broke for Sturgis

RIMA

• Trade-in Sales Tax
• RIMA 50th Anniversary and Motorcycle Awareness Proclamation
• Helmet Bill Defeated

ABATE of Virginia

• HB 234, ATV and off-road motorcycle use, seizure, impounding and disposition
• HB 884 Excessive Vehicle Exhaust noise
• HB 1257 Insurance coverage for diminished value after repairs

ABATE of South Carolina

• Support Current Helmet Law
• Support enhanced penalties for collisions causing great bodily injury or death
• Support any legislation that requires drivers not to have any electronic devices in their hands

ABATE of Washington

• Lane Sharing/Splitting
• Shoulder Riding
• Removal of $12 weight fees on Motorcycles

Dixie ABATE of Alabama

• Visited State Capitol
• Supported stronger penalties for texting
• Advocating for Riding test of BRC to get Motorcycle Endorsement

ABATE of Minnesota

• Young Riders Program and Scholarships
• Ground Accent Lighting
• Lane Splitting and Filtering

ABATE of Ohio

• HB 201 Prohibit Sale Restriction of Motor Vehicle, based on its Power Source
• HB 653 Vehicular Manslaughter and Assault
• Initial Stages of Anti-Profiling Bill

ABATE of Nebraska

• January 1, 2024: Helmet Mandate Repeal Took Effect, with some problems
• Share the Road now being given to new drivers
• Cleaned up the issues with the Helmet Mandate Repeal

Long Island ABATE

• A7535a Establish an online Insurance Verification System for Motor Vehicles
• Members now teaching Motorcycle Awareness and Safety in High Schools
• Allowing Motorcycles to park in spaces reserved for Clean Pass Vehicles

ABATE of Iowa

• HF 2316 Bonded Titles
• HF 2681 Restrictions on Traffic Cameras
• Working with Iowa COC on a Profiling Bill

ABATE of Louisiana

• HB 515 Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchase
• Talimena “Cruisin’ for St. Jude” Rally
• MOTM 2025

NHMRO

• Successful NH Rides Day
• No legislative issues due to influence and relationships with Legislators

ABATE of North Carolina

• Bently’s Law and Road Guard Course
• Evolution of Our MSAP @Look Twice NC
• Educator of the Year from Gov. Highway Safety Program

NMMRO, New Mexico

• Organized Crime Bill
• Look Twice for Motorcycles Specialty License Plate
• All 33 Counties Signed on to May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

CMRO

• Connecticut Retained Freedom of Choice for Adults in the Wearing of Motorcycle Helmets

CMT/ABATE of Tennessee

• HB1806 / SB1678 Disabled Decals Passed
• HB2383 / SB2181 Shoulder Use by Motorcycles to Nearest Exit, if Traffic is Under 25 MPH

ABATE of Maryland

• May 1, Motorcycle Awareness Month Kickoff
• June 8, ABATE of Maryland 50 Year Celebration
• September 7, Mid-Shore Chapter Memorial Ride

ABATE of Indiana

• MRF State Rep Roberta Meyer Retiring
• Staying Vigilant in State Legislature
• May Have Several Motorcycling Champions Elected to Congress This Year

ABATE of Georgia

• Governor Proclaims May as Motorcycle Awareness Month
• HB 1369 Motorcycle Mobility Act
• HB 1430 Motorcycle Profiling

ABATE of Pennsylvania

• HB 2364 Providing a Refundable Motorcycle Safety Course Registration Fee
• SB 37 Enhanced Driver Responsibility
• HB 2177 Allowing Motorcycle to be Safety Inspected Year-round

ABATE of Pennsylvania

• HB 2364 Providing a Refundable Motorcycle Safety Course Registration Fee
• SB 37 Enhanced Driver Responsibility
• HB 2177 Allowing Motorcycle to be Safety Inspected Year-round

ABATE of South Dakota

• Legislative Days in Pierre
• Whitewood Social during Sturgis Rally
• Hosted 34th Heartland STEAM

ABATE of Kansas

• Hosted Mid-South MILE, October 2023
• Bridging the Gap with KSCOC
• Bikers Under the Dome

ABATE of Alaska

• Rider Education
• Rider Public Outreach
• New Alaska SHSP