Legislative Update

OK Riders;
We met with Chairman Driver this evening and he says he is with us on HB 264. It will probably be heard in committee early next week. We have the votes to bring HB 264 out of committee so that is step one completed. It is imperative that you get those cards, faxes and/or Emails sent to the members of the Calendars committee members that we just sent out to you. Please pass this information to anyone on your Email list and get this done IMMEDIATELY!!
Haven't gotten to work on much else but let's get this unfinished business taken care of.

Thanks,

Mr. Nethaway;
What an opinionated, one sided article you had in the Waco paper. Anyone not knowing about the political involvement of bikers would assume from your one sided article that a group of rowdy thugs invaded the capitol halls because of the helmet law. Not quite correct.
We go to the capitol on the fourth Monday of each session to apprise our legislators of issues that directly affect us as Texans. Riders worked to help pass the Right To Carry Bill with Senator Patterson. We got handicap license plates for motorcycles along with several worthwhile Bills throughout the years. We have also worked to stop lunatic Bills from becoming law. We vigorously opposed the Pay-at-the-pump No Fault insurance Bill that was successfully killed in committee two sessions ina row. We were on the winning side in killing the Red Light CameraLegislation and the Road Block Bill last session. We will be working onthe same side concerning those Bills again this session.
Trying to make us appear to have been rowdy while in the House Gallery was a real tribute to your innuendo type message. In truth Rep. Chavez had introduced us to the House the same as most Reps. do with groups from their districts. We were simply cheering for our Warriors on the House Floor. Had you spoken to the Reps or the Troopers inside the capitol you would have been informed that our group is the most orderly and well informed of any group coming to the capitol.
We have a presence in the capitol every day the legislature is insession and during the off session we attend committee meetings dealing with issues that we believe are important to our well being.
If your grandpa actually drilled for oil he would know that you don’t stop just because you hit oil. You continue to dig until you get to a point that the well will give the best results for the longest period of time possible. That is what he should have told you. My dad did drill several successful oil wells.
Ride with your helmet on if that is your pleasure Mr. Nethaway and know that our supporters will defend your right to do so. Know also that we will exercise our right to petition our legislature for redress of grievances, as set forth in the Bill of Rights. To learn what this right means speak to any of our supporters and they can possibly inform you of other rights you may have of which you are unaware.
Ride Free,
Sputnik / State ChairTexas Motorcycle Rights Association.

HB 264 is not meeting any organized resistance in the House. Right now it is hard to catch anyone in their office but it is looking good considering. We have enough votes in Law Enforcement to bring the Bill out of committee. We will be meeting with Chairman Driver on Monday and let him know we are ready to have a hearing on the Bill.
Our energy now must be focused on the Calendars Committee. In this committee only one person can stop a Bill from going to the Floor for a vote of the Full House.Here is a list of those Members. Those with an asterisk have already pledged support.
Chair : Beverly Woolley (Houston)
V. Chair ; Gene Seaman (Corpus)

Callegari (Katy),
Elkins (Houston),
Kolkhorst **,
V. Luna (Corpus),
McCall (Plano),
Miller **,
Rose **,
Turner(Houston),
Von Arsdale(Tomball).

Needless to say the riders in the Houston area are our most important key to getting the Bill to the Floor. Get off cards and letters today to these members who do not have asterisks by their names.
For all Representatives, Address all mail:

Honorable (Name)
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX. 78768-2910

Ask for their support on getting HB 264 to the Floor.

We are meeting with Elkins on Monday and Van Arsdale on Tuesday. At this point Emails are alright also if you can generate a lot of them, no phone calls until we request them please.

Rep. Griggs has introduced HB 1522 to allow white lining by motorcyclists in slow traffic. The only problem is it contains the same insurance and rider training provisions as currently contained in our helmet law. I am going to just leave this Bill alone right now. I will speak with him somewhere along the way about this Bill and the reason for the requirements.

HB 514 (Failure To Yield)
We have spoken with the Legislative Council in an effort to work out a substitute Bill to be offered in place of HB 514 when it comes to committee. The changes we worked out are these.

Define serious bodily injury:
Injury requiring hospital stay of two or more days or causing permanent physical or mental incapacitation.

1st offense:
In addition to any other penalty, include license suspension for 90 days and/ fine of $250 to go to Safety and Awareness Program.

2nd offense within three year period:
In addition to any other penalty, include fine of $250 to go to Safety and Awareness Program and/a minimum of 30 consecutive days in jail.

Write letters or postcards to your Rep. on this Bill while you have the writing materials out.

These high moisture days are slowing my movements and I just had 17 teeth extracted yesterday and dentures put in so that is giving me a fit right now also. Any help you can provide with your cards, letters, faxes or Emails will be greatly appreciated.
We still don't have a Bill number for the Insurance Bill but it is in Legislative Council and just awaiting a number. Get it to you as soon as we have one.

I forgot to add that the House passed the Bill to stop cities from using Red Light Cameras. That is the cameras installed in signal lights to ticket people who run red lights. Rep. Elkins did a great job presenting the Bill.

- Feb 26, Sa; Mar 12, Sa; Mar 26, Sa, Breakfast with Texas Rep. Lon Burnam
(http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist90/burnam.htm)

8:30a.m.
Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
3233 Hemphill St.
Fort Worth, TX 76110

Please contact Ms. Jillanne Johnson<District90.Burnam@house.state.tx.us> for more information.

--
First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.
Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

District Advisor Meeting Feb. 19, 2005
The DA Meeting was called to order at 1:00pm with the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Reports were given by the four District Advisors, 22, 25, 28 and 29, who attended the meeting. We appreciate the four guest who attended also. All four reports were positive in nature, accenting increases in membership and increased attendance at chapter meetings. Proof positive came as we received 11 new and 5 renewals from dist. 28, 5 new from dist.29 and 5 new from dist. 22 on this day.
The first order of business following the Reports was to remove Advisors of Dists. 05 and 10 for non attendance and no longer being current members. Dist. 15 Advisor, John Bridgeman vacated his seat as he has become the chairman of the Houston Area COC.
Second on the Agenda was discussion of the Road Block Bills. There are several groups showing up at the capitol and doing TV interviews in support of these Bills. We must bury the legislators with letters opposing this issue. It is up to the Advisors to lead this charge in their districts and be sure the letters keep pouring in opposing Road Blocks.
Next up was HB 395 by Rep. Homer to require Rider Training for all new motorcycle licensees. The Chairman has been approached by a training site owner who says they are supporting that Bill and wanted us to support it also. It was agreed by all present that we would not support mandatory training as it was against what we stand for and there would be no guarantee the classes would be available to supply the required training. This will be conveyed to Cliff Burdette and others Monday morning.
We received word from Mr. Chapman that he would be interested in trying another Rally at his ranch if we would be interested in the possibility. Pros and cons were discussed by those present of having an April Fools run in Hondo in 2006. It was decided that we would meet with Mr. Chapman and see exactly what could be worked out and then discuss it again. Probably at our May meeting May 21st.
It was agreed that District Advisors would set up a data base of Email addresses for the members in their districts and pass on updates to those members as they are sent out from the state office. The state will be responsible for members in districts with no Advisor. Addresses would come from the member list given to each Advisor during the meeting and mailed to those who weren't present. This will give Advisors more contact with their members and get members used to communicating with their advisors.We reported that The Aces & Eights M/C in Fredricksburg were goping to start a new chapter in Fredricksburg and we received seven new member applications from Joe&Mama Blue today from there. Meeting adjourned at 2:13pm.
On a personal note it was very disheartening to have such a poor turnout after the successful Legislative Day. El Paso and Lubbock traveled several hundred miles to be here while two Advisors from right here in Austin didn't make it. Dean and Preacher were the only ones who contacted the office saying they couldn't be here. Perhaps we can Have a better turnout for the May meeting. Only two Advisors have asked to be on the Ballot for the May election. Hopefully more will step forward.
Sputnik
State Chair

Here is a quick rundown on where we stand on our Bills.

The Helmet Bill HB 264 will go to Law Enforcement Committee: Reps on Committee:
Joe Driver
Jim Jackson
Glen Hegar
Lon Burnam
Stephen Frost
Suzannah Gratia Hupp.

Hupp and Veasey have said yes. Frost and Jackson are leaning our way so the Ft. Worth area riders need to contact Lon Burnam and everyone needs to contact Joe Driver and ask him to support the Bill. We currently have 38 yeses pledged which is ½ the votes needed for passage.

Transportation Committee will hear our Failure to Yield Bill. Committee Members are:
Mike Krusee
Larry Phillips
Peggy Hamric
Bill Callegari
Joe Deshotel
Kino Flores
Fred Hill
Buddy West.

Phillips and Deshotel have said yes. Callegari Flores and West have always supported us . Hill, Hamric and Krusee need to get letters.

Our Insurance Bill is filed by Rep. Carl Isett and is waiting for a number. Of course it will be heard by the Insurance Committee with members:
John Smithee
Gene Seaman
Carl Isett
Craig Eiland
Rene Oliviera
Larry Taylor
Corbin Van Arsdale
Chairman Smithee has spoken favorably of the Bill and Isett is Sponsoring the Bill.
Eiland offered a similar Bill HB 949 to keep insurance companies from denying benefits to someone injured with alcohol or drugs in their system so he is a safe bet for yes. Taylor is yes and Oliveira has always supported our issues. This one looks good Committee wise.

Reps are hard to catch face to face right now but things will settle down in about two weeks and then it will be daylight to dark at the capitol. I feel very comfortable with the committees on Insurance and Law Enforcement. We'll just have to see what happens with Transportation.

Everyone should be writing letters to their Rep and Senator concerning our Bills so it will make it easy to get votes once we meet face to face. Coming to Legislative Day wasn't the end it was only the beginning.

Sputnik

Dear Texas Riders, Some of you know me, some of you have just been added to my email list. My name is Greg Bodin, better known as "The Blonde Bomber". During the Legislative Day Weekend, Sputnik (TMRA2's State Chairman) and I talked about the open position of Motorcycle Riders Foundation(MRF) State Representative for Texas. I have volunteered to take the job. I will be the liaison between Texas Riders and the MRF. ABATE and TMRA2 touch on some national issues, but are designed to tackle issues at the State Legislature level. MRF is our biker rights voice in Washington D.C. State Reps must be endorsed by the State Motorcycle Rights Organizations(SMRO's). My main function is to spread the word, when new national issues on biker rights come up. The most effective way to do this is via email. I would ask you to share all of the information with your respective clubs, SMRO chapters, COC's, friends, relatives, and email contacts. I can also have as many Asst. State Reps I need.
If you are a member of MRF and have email access, you are qualified. It would be ideal, and a great benefit for the Texas Biker Rights Movement, if an officer, or chapter member, of every ABATE chapter, TMRA2 Chapter, and one officer from each of the 8 Confederation of Clubs would volunteer to be an assistant State Rep. Many of you, who are in these leadership positions, already keep up with our national biker rights issues, and talk about them at your meetings, so stepping up would not be a stretch for you. The main goal (not the only goal) of the State Rep Program is a communication system, MRF contacts me, I contact you, you contact your people just like a "phone tree". The system also works the other way. When you see an issue that needs attention on the national level, I'll will pass it along to our D.C. office. Setting up communication is the first step in my job. Anyone interested in joining the MRF or serving as an Asst. MRF State Rep can reply to this email or call me @
(432)-213-4421.
Mailing Address:
Greg Bodin
PO Box 3084
Big Spring TX 79720

I currently serve as the Chapter Coordinator for the Big Spring Chapter of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association; the Secretary for the Northwest Texas Confederation of Clubs; and I am a Nomad for the Cossacks Motorcycle Club. To my friends in ABATE, I have my application filled out, payday is Thursday, Check is in the mail Friday, sorry for the delay Robert. I do look forward to serving the riders of THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS as your MRF State Rep. I am open to input on the national issues from my friends and club brothers in other states too. For more information on MRF check out www.mrf.org . Texas is BIG, my email address book has about 242 entries from every corner of the state, but that is not enough. I need some assistants in those far corners, I will be contacting some of you personally.
Flex your Rights

The Blonde Bomber
Cossacks MC, Nomad
Northwest Texas Confederation of Clubs,
SecretaryChapter Coordinator, Big Spring Chapter - Texas Motorcycle Rights Association
Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Texas State Representative

News about a recent Road Block - it's very important for all Texas riders to read this report and be informed as to who you need to contact immediately if you witness any similar stops being made in your area.. ~Suds

Message from Fast Eddie, Gryphons MC Prospect...

Last week there was a Road Block on the northbound side of 1382, between I-20 & hwy 67. There were also cars being stopped on southbound side. It was broadcast on radio (102.1) and a lot of motorists were calling in to report this roadblock. The cars that were seen working this road block were Cedar Hill PD & Dallas County and a lot of unmarked plain white police vehicles.
On my way to work last week, between 7:45 &:15 during rush hour traffic, Dallas County had the nerve to block one of the main veins from I-20 to 67.. on 1382.. to do a drivers license & insurance check. They were not checking everyone, it was a random check. also known as profiling. They didn't check mine since I was in a company vehicle so they were probably sure my info would be up to date. To begin with morning rush hour traffic is very bad timing, when you're already running late for work. Second, the location where they chose to do the pullover is in the middle of construction where it's impossible turn around. At this point on 1382, the median is at least a football field wide. Traffic was backed up for miles. This was not the first time they have done this. I witnessed other incidents such as this on several other occasions within the last year. Another incident I witnessed within the last month is a different kind of set-up on the southbound side of 1382. They set up a string of about 6 police cars in a row on the southbound shoulder of the road.. then one officer will stand watching the traffic & checking inspection stickers of cars passing by. Then he will radio to the cars on stand-by to go after any expired stickers. This had nothing to do with drinking and driving and was a major hassle to get through.

message from Big Kid, Gryphons MC, TX COC...

This biker's story has been a good an example of the freedoms that we are losing. We need to put a stop to all stops without probable cause. Whether it be profiling of individuals on a free and open roadway or bills in Austin like HB-50, the Road block bill. The RB bill will give law enforcement the right to set up and detain Am citizens all across the great state of Tex without justification or probable cause. If you're tired of losing your freedoms, as I am, when you see one of these unconstitutional roadblocks Please notify your area COC officers or TMRA2 member immediately. When calling in please include these details.. car number, city, badge number....

We all need to stand vigilant to put an end to these unconstitutional stops.
If we don't stand up for freedom, who will.

Big Kid
Gryphons MC
Texas Conf of Cubs DFW Region Vise Chair
WWW.texascoc.com

Message from Suds...

Sputnik said that he contacted Chief Beckworth about this report and the Chief contacted Dallas and Grand Prairie. Our original information stated that it could have been Grand Prairie involved in this stop but later report stated Cedar Hill PD. Dallas denied that they were present at this road block.. if it was City of Dallas then they were telling the truth. Grand Prairie denied this also but it turns out they were not present either. Cedar Hill has not yet been contacted to check out this story. ~Suds

It's time to get it done.
Anyone wishing to have your name on the Ballot for the 2005-2007 election of officers for Texas Motorcycle Rights Association don't have long to go to go.
Anyone wishing to run for a district advisor position must contact the office with your request including three endorsements from current members in that district. Email or fax requests are acceptable. For the position of state chair the three members can be from any current member in the association. There will as always, be space for write in candidates on the Ballot. Request must be received no later than March 10th.
Resumes to be printed in the Warrior must be received by the Warrior Editor no later than March 11th.
Thanks,
Sputnik

While most everyone is watching the Super Bowl I have been poring through tons of my archived articles in search of some useful information for our Helmet BillAttached are a couple of Articles to share with riders to send to their Reps and Senators

The Effect of Motorcycle Helmet Use on the Probability of Fatality and the Severity of Head And Neck Injuries

Click here for Highlights of Helmet Effectiveness Study
Jonathan P. Goldstein, Ph.D.

A survey recently asked some major helmet manufacturers this question::
Which of your helmets will give me the most safety and impact protection at highway speeds? Do you have a list or chart, by impact rating, so I can buy the safest one?

Click Here to read some responses ::


Have I done that which I can do to the best of my ability?

HELL NO !! - but I'm trying.

Sputnik

WE have received word that at least some of the current Warriors did not show HB 264 to have the amendments crossed out. The proposed Bill would allow riders 21 years of age to ride without a helmet with out the insurance or Rider Training Certificate.

Check the Warrior on our website to read the correct version of the Bill. My apologies for the misprint.

Have I done that which I can do to the best of my ability?

HELL NO !! - but I'm trying.

Sputnik

I wish to report that I am missing the 1/2 day on Thursdays to spend a little time with my son who is home for a short period from Korea. We haven't seen him in nine months. I will spend friday and saturdays at home and be in the office on sundays.Next week I have to take another physical on the 11th and be back in the office on Sunday. I will then go back home on the 16th to see my son off on the 17th.
I am still reading Bills every night and wil have my cell on at all times. Here is a Bill I think we should pay close attention to and support but it is up to each individual to determine whether they choose to support this Bill. HB 823 by REp Terry Keel would make it legal to carry a firearm in your personal vehicle. No more "Defense To Prosecution if you are a traveler" it would simply be an exemption to prosecution under the law. I personally will be supporting this Bill.After the 17th I will be back in the capitol and the office full time and quit skipping out on the 1/2 day Thursday.

Sputnik

Insurance commissioner won't endorse ban on credit scoringMontemayor urges lawmakers to avoid disrupting insurance market.

The state insurance commissioner said Tuesday that he won't recommend that the Legislature ban the use of credit scores in setting insurance premiums, saying such a move could disrupt the home and auto markets.

Last month, the department released a study showing that black, Hispanic and low- to moderate-income customers generally have much lower credit scores than Anglos, Asians and higher income customers. As a result end up paying higher insurance premiums, with the discrepancy in some cases as high as 400 percent.

The study also found a correlation between low credit scores and the likelihood that people will file an insurance claim.

Insurance Commissioner José Montemayor, in the final part of the report, said that credit scoring is not "unfairly or intentionally discriminatory" and is not based on race.
State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, said he was "deeply disappointed" by Montemayor's decision, especially because the department's own studies "have shown flatly" that credit scoring discriminates against minorities and lower-income Texans.

Ellis is among several lawmakers who have said they plan to sponsor legislation banning or severely limiting the practice.

Leading consumer groups, including AARP, Common Cause, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also have urged a ban or severe limits on the use of credit scoring by insurance companies.
Montemayor, in a letter to Gov. Rick Perry and legislative leaders, wrote: "I do not have a legal basis to ban a practice that has a disproportionate impact if it produces an actuarially supported result and is not unfairly or intentionally discriminatory.

"Credit scoring is not unfairly discriminatory as defined in current law because credit scoring is not based on race, nor is it a precise indicator of one's race," the commissioner wrote.
The new study establishes that credit scoring "signifi- cantly improves pricing accuracy" when combined with other factors to determine a person's risk as a driver or a homeowner, Montemayor said.

The study showed that policyholders with the worst credit scores, in the bottom 10 percent, were up to twice as likely to file claims than policyholders in the top 10 percent.
Montemayor said that, if the Legislature opts to outlaw or limit insurers' use of credit histories to set prices, it should phase in the changes to avoid insurance market disruptions.
In his letter, the commissioner said he was initially skeptical of the link between credit history and insurance risk but changed his opinion after the study.

Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas, said that the final report "verifies what insurers have been saying all along; it's accurate and there's no unfair discrimination among policyholders. The key word remains accuracy. With the help of credit scores, each policyholder pays a premium that more closely matches his or her individual risk factors."

http://www.statesman.com/hp/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/02/2credit.html

Attention Attention Attention

We have been thrown a curve on HB 264 the helmet Bill but it is a very welcome change for us. The Bill has been sent to Law Enforcement instead of Transportation Committee as has always been the case in previous sessions. This should be a much better environment for passage. Committee Members are as follows:


Chair: Rep. Joe Driver Dist. 113
201 South Glenbrook Dr. Garland, Texas 75040

V. Chair: Rep. Jim Jackson Dist. 115
1120 Metrocrest Dr. # 107 Carrollton, Texas 75006

Budget & Oversight Chair: Rep. Glenn Hegar Dist. 28
P.O.Box 1008 Katy, Texas 77492

Rep. Lon Burnam Dist. 90
1305 West Magnolia Suite C Ft. Worth, Texas 76104

Rep. Stephen Frost Dist. 01
P.O. Box 248 New Boston, Texas 75570

Rep. Suzannah Gratia Hupp Dist. 54
P.O. Box751 Lampasas, Texas 76550

Marc Veasey Dist. 95
Tech Ft. Worth Building 1120 S. Freeway Suite 121 Ft. Worth, Texas 76104

Anyone in these districts please send a letter no later than Friday. Simply ask that they support HB 264 when it comes to Law Enforcement Committee.
No calls yet just letters. It shouldn’t be a hard sell to these Reps. Rep Veasey has already said he will support it. Ask all your friends in your district to write also. A postcard is sufficient.
Thanks,

Sputnik
State Chair TMRA ll