TMRA2 Legislative Update

For TMRA2 members too. Heads up National Call to Action federal level,
please read below:

To all US Defenders/C.O.I.R,

MRF alerts recently reported that Congressman James Sensenbrenner (Wisconsin) filed a bill on Tuesday, May 7th to prohibit the federal funding of motorcycle only roadside checkpoints. Do not delay in contacting your reps today!
The bill, H.R. 1861, has nine original co-sponsors however; we need many more to pass this landmark legislation.
Sensenbrenner had this to say in a ‘Dear Colleague letter’ that is circulating in the House of Representatives; ‘In the 112th Congress, I introduced H.R. 904, a bill to prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from providing funds to state and local authorities for the purpose of creating motorcycle only checkpoints. Section one of the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act contains the same language as H.R. 904. However, this bill also contains language to force the DOT to focus motorcycle safety efforts on crash prevention programs, not national helmet mandates.’
We did have a National CTA to support H.R. 904, and now are in support of this 2013 bill H.R. 1861.
The bill was officially introduced on May 7th. It’s important to contact your sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives and ask them to be a co-sponsor of this Bill. Ask them to contact Congressman James Sensenbrenner and lend their support as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1861.
We would also like all of our members to urge their U.S. House Representative to support this legislation. I’m sure the Transportation Department can find some more meaningful and worthwhile use of our limited tax dollars!
You can contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121
To find out who your U.S. House Representative is log on to www.capitol.state.tx.us in the middle of the page in the light blue box is a section Who Represents Me? Enter your zip code and find your representative.

The following is a sample conversation with your Representative.

Hello my name is (your name) I live at (your address) I am calling you to ask that you co-sponsor and support Jim Sensenbrenner’s Bill H.R. 1861 Entitled Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act introduced on May 7th. As a concerned taxpaying citizen I would appreciate your support on this meaningful piece of legislation.

US Defenders/ C.O.I.R

National Office

TMRA2 22^nd BIRTHDAY PARTY

TMRA2 STATE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND ELECTIONS  JUNE 22nd, 2013

Elections are coming up in June 2013.   Below is the official ballot with the names of those who are already running for the position.  If you wish to have your name on the Ballot for contact the office with the names of three current members who endorse you to have your name on the Ballot.

If running for District Advisor contact the office with three names of current members in the District you wish to represent.  Resumes for any position will be posted on our web site and broadcast to our e-mail list. Requests to be put on the Ballot must be received at the office  by May 22, 2013 to have your name put on the Ballot. You need not send a resume to have your name placed on the Ballot. You do need to be an active TMRA2 member in good standing.

 The State Meeting Information: MARK YOUR CALENDER FOR JUNE 22, 2013

Location: TBA

General Membership meeting will be at 11:00AM

District Advisor Meeting will be at 1:00PM

We will have a band, 50/50, Auction….. Come celebrate  TMRA2 22nd  Anniversary Party and the end of the session at the Texas Capitol.

TMRA2 Election Procedures:

Elections shall take place during June of odd numbered years. Nomination petitions shall be accepted at the state office. Petitions shall include a brief biography (75 words or less) and be signed by (3) three members in good standing. Petitions shall be placed in the state newsletter, along with a ballot. The Ballot shall also be posted on the web sites to be downloaded by members wishing to cast their vote. Mail in Ballots must be in the office no later than five days prior to the General Meeting. Ballots may be turned in at the State Meeting providing the person casting the Ballot is a verifiable member  in good standing for at least 30 days. To be eligible to run for State Chair a person must have been a member in good standing for the two years immediately preceding the nomi-nations. To vote in an election a person must be a member in good standing at least 30 days prior to the vote.

A committee, appointed by the Advisory Board, just prior to the June meeting will count the votes. Winners shall be determined by a simple majority vote. New officers will be seated at the beginning of new business, during the general membership meeting. Term of office will be two years. All members shall elect the state chairman and members shall elect Advisors from their district only.

_______________________________________________

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BILLS THAT TMRA2 IS TRACKING/WORKING

SB763, Senator Watson: Relating to motorcycle training and the license
requirements for a three-wheeled motorcycle; creating an offense.

TMRA2 Update:  The bill is flying through the capitol and back in the
senate.  There is no doubt that it will make it to the Governor’s office
soon as it was fast tracked all the way through both the senate and the
house.   Many thanks to Kirk Watson’s office for moving this one and to
Sandy who is the Legislative Aid that has worked so hard on it.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/SB00763I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB2279 Rep. Phillips: Companion to SB763–he may be amending the bill to
include his passenger bill.   Relating to motorcycle training and the
license requirements for a three-wheeled motorcycle; creating an offense.

TMRA2 update: The bill has been left pending in committee on the house
side and may be amended by Rep. Phillips office to include the language in
his passenger bill.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB02279I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB3838, Rep. Phillips motorcycle passenger bill: Relating to the
regulation of motorcycles and motorcycle operators.

TMRA2 Update:  The bill has been left pending in committee after the first
hearing last week.

Bill language

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB03838I.pdf#navpanes=0

SB1515 Senator Ellis bicycle bill:  Relating to the operation of a motor
vehicle in the vicinity of an unprotected road user; providing penalties.

TMRA2 Update:  I spoke to Tina in Senator Ellis office and told her we
support this bill and will be testifying on it as soon as the senate sets
a hearing.  She was very happy we are on board.  The bill provides   for
an increase in penalty to anyone who injures or kills an “Unprotected Road
User”.  The definition of “who” is an unprotected road user was amended
this session from last session to include everyone using the road.  This
makes the bill much more likely to pass since it doesn’t just cover a
“protected class of citizens” which we all know Rick Perry will not sign
bills for protected classes of citizens.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/SB01515I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB2225 Rep. McClendon- (companion bicycle bill to SB1515): Relating to the
operation of a motor vehicle in the vicinity of an unprotected road user;
providing penalties.

TMRA2 Update: We spoke with McClendon’s office and advise them we are in
favor of the bill.  They were happy as well.  The bill went through the
first committee hearing this week and is now pending in committee as we
are waiting for Rep. Phillips, Chairman of the committee, to bring it up
for a vote

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB02225I.pdf#navpanes=0

Guns:

Bill Language
HB553 Rep Otto: Relating to firearms and the preservation of the Second
Amendment to the United States Constitution; providing
penalties-nullification of federal anti gun laws.

TMRA2 Update:  According to rep Otto’s office and Rep. Krause’s office
this bill will be killed in committee with HB928 taking the place.   It
now includes a penalty for any local government which refuses to follow
the proposed law.  This includes a loss of state grant funding and the
ability of individual Texans to file a complaint with the Attorney General
against the local government violating their rights.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB00553I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB928 Rep. Krause: (Companion bill to HB553 and it is taking HB 553’s
place with an amendment to the penalties.   Relating to the enforcement of
certain federal laws regulating firearms, firearm accessories, and firearm
ammunition within the State of Texas.

TMRA2 Update:  According to Rep. Krause’s office HB928 is taking the place
of HB553.   It now includes a penalty for any local government which
refuses to follow the proposed law.  This includes a loss of state grant
funding and the ability of individual Texans to file a complaint with the
Attorney General against the local government violating their rights.
According to Todd Hunters office they have not received the bill yet into
calendars.  I gave her one of support letters for the bill and
respectfully ask that her representative run the bill through calendar’s
ASAP for a vote on the floor.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB00928I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB 972 Rep Fletcher: Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the
campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of
higher education.
Bill language

TMRA2 Update: According to Rep Fletchers office Chairman of the committee
Rep. Joe Pickett has not brought this bill up for a vote.  They expect him
to do something with it in the next few days.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB00972I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB700, Rep Lavender- Open carry bill: Relating to the authority of a
person who is licensed to carry a handgun to openly carry the handgun;
providing penalties.

TMRA2 Update: According to Rep Lavenders office, the chairman of the
committee, Rep. Joe Pickett, has not brought this bill up for a vote.
They expect him to do something with it in the next few days.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB00700I.pdf#navpanes=0

HB149, Rep. Larson: Nullification NDAA section 1020 and 1021- Relating to
the Texas Liberty Preservation Act; providing penalties.
TMRA2 Update: According to Rep. Larson’s office, the bill is currently in
the process of amendment to change the penalty portion of the bill so it
will pass.  They said it will read more like the NDAA Nullification bill
that the state of Virginia has.  As soon as I have the new language, I
will share it with everyone.

Bill language
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/pdf/HB00149I.pdf#navpanes=0

Terri Williams
TMRA2 Legislative Task Force
State Secretary/Treasurer
TMRA2.org
512-552-4090

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN'T PROTECT ITSELF!
-- 
Terri Williams
TMRA2 Legislative Task Force
State Secretary/Treasurer
TMRA2.org
512-552-4090

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN'T PROTECT ITSELF!

3-14-13

Guns, Guns and more Guns:  TMRA2 testified in a committee hearing on behalf of seven different Gun laws designed to preserve and protect the second amendment so Texans will always have the right to bear arms.  What a committee hearing.  Yesterday Tornado Robert and I went into the capitol to testify in front of the federalism and Fiscal Responsibility committee.  The main bills of focus are hb553 which nullifies all federal anti gun laws in the state of Texas and provides a 10,000 fine and criminal penalties to law enforcement here in Texas should they comply with the federal government on  any anti gun law in our state.   Representative Otto, who introduced the bill, said the bill must have teeth to work.  We have to keep the criminal penalties in there to keep the federal Government out of our business when it comes to the right to carry.  Rep. Otto said his office has received more phone calls on HB553 than it has on any other gun bill introduced this session.

HB928 is the companion bill to HB553.  Representative Krause basically introduced a similar type of bill as Otto bill.  HB928, The bill would prohibit an agency or political subdivision of this state from contracting with or providing assistance to a federal agency or official with respect to the enforcement of a regulation of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or firearm ammunition that does not exist under the laws of this state. It was amended already to include penalties to take away state funding to any agency who violates this law.  Instead of criminal penalties to law enforcement like  HB553.  It’s a softer bill but it’s much more likely to pass and we expect the two bills to be merged somehow.

The Chairman of this committee, Rep. Creighton, is all on board with getting the bills passed and was supportive.  The two representatives we will have problems with are Rep. Walle and Rep. Lucio Jr. who didn’t like going after Texas law enforcement in the bill.

After several folks got up and testified in length on the history of our country and constitution, how their families have been in Texas for 100’s of years, and how we should preserve the constitution, it was finally my turn to get up and speak on behalf of TMRA2 and the Texas bikers.  I kept it short and sweet stating who I was and that the Texas bikers are tired of the Federal Government stomping on their constitutional rights and that we would appreciate a yes vote on HB 553.  I also added that if they want to avoid receiving 5,000 letters, emails, and phone calls they might want to hurry and vote yes on the bill as soon as possible.  The entire room started laughing as they are well aware of how powerful the US Defenders are at sending thousands of letters at one time.

We were very impressed and proud of our representatives for backing the 2^nd amendment like they are doing.  The rest of the committee (Cindy Burkett and Rep. Scott Turner), didn’t respond at all or ask questions on any of the bills.  So next week TMRA2 will be knocking on their doors to get a yes vote on the bill.

We need more bikers to come into these committee hearings with us.  If you have the time off work, or can take off work, or retired/ semi retired, etc… please come down and help us.  Not only are you making Texas history, you are helping your fellow bikers by preserving our life style and liberties.  What could be more important than that?

–

Terri Williams

TMRA2 Legislative Task Force

TMRA2.org

512-552-4090

BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF!

(Become a member of TMRA2, go to our web site  tmra2.org and download the application).  Complete the application and mail it to the address on the form.  The membership is only ($30.00 a year). Or you can contact the TMRA2 state office at 512-552-4090.)