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Capitol Hill Update
Paying Dividends
After a week away from Washington, Congress returned to town this week, and the hard work of MRF members during Bikers Inside the Beltway is starting to pay off.
In just the last two weeks, 17 Congressional offices have signed on as cosponsors to H. Res 255, the anti-motorcyclist profiling resolution. We have now brought the total number of cosponsors to 40 since the resolution was introduced at the end of March. We have surpassed the 38 cosponsors garnered in the 18 months that we worked on the previous anti-profiling resolution during the 115th Congress.
The most recent cosponsors are:
- Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ)
- Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ)
- Congressman Ralph Abraham (R-LA)
- Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA)
- Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
- Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN)
- Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN)
- Congressman George Holding (R-NC)
- Congresswoman Ann Kuster (D-NH)
- Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
- Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV)
- Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV)
- Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)
- Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
- Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
- Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX)
- Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI)
Additionally, in the last two weeks, five new lawmakers joined the House Motorcycle Caucus bringing the total membership up to 27.
The new caucus members:
- Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL)
- Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN)
- Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN)
- Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC)
- Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD)
These new cosponsors and caucus members are a direct result of MRF members meeting with Congressional offices and asking them to stand with the motorcycle community. Our growing numbers demonstrate two things, first that our message is starting to gain traction on Capitol Hill and second that MRF members meeting with, sending letters or calling their elected officials is the most effective way to change public policy. Thank you to everyone that has answered the call.
State News - 3 and Counting…
This week the Louisiana State Senate joined their House colleagues and UNANIMOUSLY passed HB 141; a bill that requires mandatory motorcycle profiling training be included in the police training curriculum. The measure is expected to be signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards (D) in the coming weeks. HB 141 has two key provisions:
(1) The council shall include motorcyclist profiling awareness training in the current bias recognition policing curriculum. The training shall consist of at least one-half hour of classroom or internet instruction, or a combination of classroom and internet instruction. This training shall address issues related to motorcyclist profiling and shall be provided to peace officers as defined in R.S. 40:2402(3)(a).
(2) For purposes of this Subsection, “motorcyclist profiling” shall mean the arbitrary use of the fact that an individual rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle- related clothing or paraphernalia as a factor in deciding to stop, question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search the individual or his motorcycle or motor vehicle.
The MRF would like to congratulate all those involved in this victory for the motorcycle community. When the bill is signed into law, Louisiana will join Washington State and Maryland as the three states with laws against the profiling of motorcyclist. Great work, Louisiana!
Your Team in D.C. Tiffany & Rocky
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation