The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is pleased to announce that the Joint Committee on Transportation has issued a “Favorable, Ought to Pass” recommendation for this MMA Sponsored Bill:
S.1761 – Motorcycle Safety Training (MMA Sponsored)
This “Favorable, Ought to Pass” recommendation in no way means that this Bill has “passed”, but it does give the Green Light for the Bill to move to the Senate Floor for debates and a vote.
Each Bill needs to be scheduled through the respective clerks to be called (read) and the Bill needs to be read three (3) times: each reading may see modifications to the Bill as it is debated. Finally, assuming all issues have been discussed and vetted through these three (3) readings, a vote can be called and tallied. If the Bill passes the vote with a majority, the Bill then goes to the other side where a similar process is followed. If the Bill passes through the both sides without modification if then goes to the Governors’ Desk. If during debates in the either side the Bill gets modified, it then goes back to the original side where the process starts all over again.
Bills that get to the Governors’ Desk could be signed by the Governor and enacted into law. Bills that do not receive support from the Governor can be rejected and not signed into law. The Governor must sign (approve) or veto (oppose) legislation within ten (10) days after transmittal or the bill becomes law without signature. If legislation is transmitted within the last ten (10) days of the current Legislative Session and the Governor does not act, the bill is pocket vetoed (defeated).
The Joint Committee on Transportation has issued an “Extend” recommendation for the following Bills:
S.1797 – Right-of-Way (RoW) Violations (MMA Sponsored)
H.1799 – Ticket Camera
This “Extend” recommendation is simply a request for more time before issuing a recommendation. The “Extension” gives the Committee until May 1, 2012 to issue a recommendation.
The Joint Committee on Transportation has issued a “Needs Further Study” recommendation for the following Bills:
S.1726 – Motorcycle Adult Helmet Choice (MMA Sponsored)
S.1749 – Out-of-State Rider Helmet Choice (MMA Sponsored)
S.1748 – Motorcycle Sound Level Emissions (MMA Sponsored)
S.1761 – Motorcycle Safety Training (MMA Sponsored)
S.1766 – HOV Designation
H.948 – Cannot cut in on 2 (or more) motorcycle riders
H.2642 – Adult Helmet Choice Bill
H.952 – Motorcycle Sound Levels
H.1806 – Motorcycle Passengers (under 16)
H.947 – Motorcycle Passengers (under 5)
This “Needs Further Study” recommendation effectively “kills the bill” as very few actually receive this study and get reviewed. However, it is entirely possible to revive a “Study” Bill and get it moving again, so we must remain vigilant to make sure “Study” Bills we oppose do not see resurrection as we continue to revive the Bills we support.
The following Bills were “Not Heard” (ie: Public Hearings were never held) and did not receive any recommendations:
S.1458 – Motorcycle Safety Fund (MMA Sponsored)
S.1728 – Red Light Malfunctioning (MMA Sponsored)
H.2179 – Right of Way Bill
Public Hearings can still be held on these Bills and the MMA will continue to push the two (2) MMA Sponsored Bills.
Bills that are allowed to move on to the next step are sent to the respective Clerk’s Office for recording and scheduling. In the past, the MMA has seen this process last at least a week and likely more for some of these Bills, depending upon workload.
This lull in Bill movement activity is an excellent time for riders to take pen to paper and write support letters to their Senator and House Representative. The MMA will publish sample letters for review shortly.
There is very little time left to gets our favorable Bills passed as the Legislative Session typically breaks for the Summer in June or July. We need to make our voices heard more than ever.
Don’t forget the 11th Annual MMA Storm the Statehouse is rapidly approaching on May 17, 2012. This is a GREAT TIME to visit your lawmakers Face-to-Face and request their support. Please call your Senator and House Representative today and make your appointment for May 17, 2012 between 1:30P and 3:00P.
Questions can be directed to LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.org or you can go to www.MassMotorcycle.org for additional information.
###