Highway Bill Nears Completion
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports that an agreement has been reached on the much anticipated Highway legislation. The Conference Report has been agreed upon and is expected to be on the floor of the House and Senate for a vote Friday, June 29th.
The reauthorization of surface transportation programs through fiscal 2014 is expected to cost roughly $120 billion, $11 billion more than the $109 billion Senate-passed legislation that would have run only until the end of fiscal 2013.
The 600 page bill comes just in the nick of time, as the latest extension expires at the end of the month.
Unfortunately, due to technical germaneness issues, the language of NR 904 did not make it into this bill. Not for lack of effort on our part, that is for sure. We will continue to advance HR 904 on its own. It already has 51 cosponsors as of press time.
What did make it into the bill is very positive for motorcyclists. First, the bill has no mention of the word "helmet", whatsoever.
Second, the grant program that sends money to the States for motorcycle safety has been extended. This time it is not a specific dollar amount but a percentage of each State's federal safety dollars that must be spent on motorcycle safety. The best part is that the money can only be spent on rider education and awareness campaigns. None of this money can be spent on roadside checkpoints or helmet law campaigns - just simple education and awareness. The stuff we know that works.
The House and Senate are likely to vote on this bill as early as Friday, June 29th.
Call your elected officials and ask them to vote this bill out favorably.
You can reach the US Capitol switch board at 202-224-3121.
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