http://www.abateofde.com/hildys_report.htm
ABATE of Delaware
HILDY'S REPORT
If the text is red, it is an important hyperlink, and you need to click on it.
Yesterday, June 23, 2011 HB 95, was 11th on the Senate Agenda.
They went in around 2:00 pm worked the first 4
bills on the agenda and broke for a caucus.
This was around 4:30 pm.
They came back out around 5:00 pm and worked 2 more bills and said they
were going to break for the evening for the Bond Bill Committee hearings.
Before their break, they laid aside all other bills,
and jumped to item # 11 which was HB 95.
Senator Marshall was the floor manager for the legislation.
At that point I had a hard 12 favorable votes counted,
7 democrats and 5 republicans, we needed 11.
Marshall then proceeded to submit an amendment which clarified that
the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security is the official person
who approves eyewear and helmets for 19 year olds and younger.
If HB 95 passed as it was written, the
law would have just said, "the Secretary".
It is a bullshit amendment to basically try and kill the legislation for this year.
HB 95as amended, passed the Senate with 14 yes votes.
The bill has to go back to the House for another vote in this
amended state and we have 3 legislative working days left.
Doug Drummond and I went immediately to the House chambers
and found Representative Mulrooney to see if there will be a problem
getting the bill back over to the House, possibly placing it on a consent
calendar, and running it through without any major issues.
The big thing in our favor right now is the amendment was submitted
by the administration, therefore the governor will be hard pressed to veto it
because the States major objection was addressed in Senate Amendment 1.
Thanks to GirlGeek, this is what the law would read if HB 95 with
Senate Amendment 1passes the House and is signed by the Governor:
4185(b) as it would read with HB 95 and SA1:
4185(b) Every person operating or riding on a motorcycle shall
wear eye protection approved by the Secretary of Safety and Homeland
Security; provided, however, that every person up to 19 years of age operating
or riding on a motorcycle shall wear a safety helmet and eye protection
approved by the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security.
We have 3 more Legislative work days.
We need to keep working your Representatives and
the Governor’s Office with e-mails, letters, etc.
Now, it is truly crunch time folks, so ask all your members,
friends, and family to fire up their writing campaign for us.
Please ask for a response from the Representatives that you
correspond with, as to whether they will support the bill or not.
Any answers back, please let me know as I’m starting to do my count.
A modified sample letter below has changed to reflect that request.
Now, HB 95 goes back to the House.
Now is the time to contact your Representatives and the
Governor’s Office to ask for their support for HB 95 as amended.
Be nice and courteous, but be very specific!
A sample email is below, if members wish to use it.
Now, please, and I said please, don’t make me hunt you down.
Get to work, because we still have to get this back
through the Houseand the Governor!!
And to those of you who did nothing, you are welcome
to enjoy the freedoms others have provided you!
~ Hildy
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RESTATING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE;
Contact more fellow Riders, Friends, family, etc, to phone, FAX, or Email your
Representatives to express your desire for their "YES" vote on HB 95as amended.
*If you have had direct experience dealing with the issue of a law enforcement
officer pulling you over to ascertain whether or not you have an approved helmet on
your scooter or not, explain that experience to the legislator or just simply ask them for
their support to release the bill and to vote yes when it comes up for a vote.
If you should contact any of these folks and get a
response please forward that response back to me.
SAMPLE EMAIL/LETTER BELOW
From: YOUR NAME an/or youremailaddress@hearme.com
Date: Today's date (This will auto-fill in an email)
To: Your Representative@state.de.us
Subject: HB 95
Dear Representative Last name here,
I am writing to express my support for House Bill 95, as amended, which will eliminate the requirement that motorcyclists have a helmet "in their possession".
Blah, blah, blah, blah-blah (whatever your feelings are - keep it professional!)
I would appreciate your "yes" vote for HB 95, and I would like to request a response from you
as to whether you will support the bill or not.
If you have any concerns, or need any clarification on my view, please feel free to contact me.
Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number