The following agenda is what we had taken to our elected members of Congress on a trip to DC at the end of July 2009. Please keep the issues in front of them by continuing to call. Thanks.
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District1(Western KY)
Rep. Ed Whitfield
202-202-225-3115
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District 2 (Central KY)
Rep. Brett Guthrie
202-202-225-3501
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District 3 (Louisville area)
Rep. John Yarmuth
202-225-5401
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District 4 (Northern KY)
Rep. Geoff Davis
202-225-3465
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District 5 (Southeast KY)
Rep. Harold ‘Hal’ Rogers
202-225-4601
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District 6(Lexington area)
Rep. Ben Chandler
202-202-225-4706
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Sen. Mitch McConnell
202-224-2541
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Sen. Jim Bunning
202- 224-4343
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Dear Congressman,
The Kentucky Motorcycle Association has been involved in the legislative process at both the state and federal level since its formation in 1982. For this reason we are visiting with you and your staff to relay our views on various bills and issues confronting this 111th Congress.
We would ask for you support and co-sponsorship of the following bills / issues:
1. HR 1587 – “To amend the lead prohibition provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to provide an exemption for certain off-highway vehicles, and for other purposes.” As you may be aware the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 had several unintended consequences among which was the prohibition of smaller ATVs and dirt bikes. Many motorcyclists got their start on just such equipment as they were growing up. Besides outlawing a significant segment of the industry it also infringes upon how a parent may choose to rear their children by which activities he / she may be allowed to participate. Should we also outlaw youth sized footballs or soccer balls as well?
2. HR 2057 – “Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2009” With the new technologies and other specialized equipment, independent shops and vehicle owners may be at risk of not being able to work on various vehicles. While we do recognize that the manufacturers have put in significant resources to develop some of these technologies, it is yet another issue to prohibit another man’s livelihood and impose a de facto surcharge/fee for the purchase of a vehicle. We ask that these technologies simply be made available to the individuals and independent shops.
3. HR 1207/ S 604—“Audit the Federal Reserve” No agency or entity entrusted with the use of taxpayer dollars should be exempt from public scrutiny. The public has a right to know how their money is being used or possibly misused.
4. S 1248 – “Green Transportation Efficiency Act of 2009” During the recent bill deemed ‘Cash for Clunkers’ legislation motorcycles were left out of the mix of eligible vehicles. We would ask that they be included in this program.
These are items which we would like to bring to your attention but may or may not require action at this point and time:
- Insure that no federal blackmail provisions are incorporated into legislation to put undue burden on the states and its citizens for laws they may or may not have.
- Oppose any funding and/or implementation of a vehicle miles traveled tax system. Instead a simple fee based system for newer hybrids and electric vehicles would be a better alternative as a funding mechanism for the road fund. Another way to direct funds to the roadways would be to use existing electric usage taxes and require a certain percentage of those funds go towards the road fund.
- Include motorcycles in the design and construction of any new intelligent transportation projects.
- Continue the charter for the Federal Motorcyclists Advisory Council to the Secretary of Transportation.
- Continue the prohibition of NHTSA from lobbying the state legislatures with federal funds and increase it to the entirety of USDOT and other sub-agencies.
- Monitor the actions of the EPA to prevent actions such as mandatory vehicle emission testing programs, anti-tampering regulations/legislation or other over-burdensome requirements. Due to the large number of motorcycle builders and customizers including individuals, anti-tampering requirements could have a huge impact on the aftermarket and custom bike build industry.
- Repeal of the Patriot ACT.This bill has infringed upon the civil and constitutional rights of the American People. In the same way that RICO was supposed to only deal with organized crime it has been used against others not in connection with organized crime in the least. For example the tobacco companies are a prime example. What is to prevent the federal government from using its vast resources to target any particular group or individual?
These are the items which we would ask you to oppose or to amend in such a way as to address the listed concerns:
- S 787 – “Clean Water Restoration Act” This bill could provide for an over reaching authority by various federal agencies into both public and private land uses. The fear of the motorcycle community is that off road areas may be shut down or its use severely curtailed under this or similar pieces of legislation.
- S 1261—“PASS ID Act” While we are in support of the repeal of the REAL ID Act this bill puts back into place many of the same measures including forcing the states to adhere to a national ID campaign. Drivers licensing and identifications have always been a matter left to the states and should remain as such. Creating the mechanisms to provide for a national database and ID system is not in the best interest in the civil rights and/or privacy of the citizenry.
- HR 3200 – “America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009” While this may seem a worthwhile and humanitarian issue at hand it is far from it. As has already been seen in the Massachusetts health care system, groups are being singled out to provide for the budget balancing act of the program. What is to prevent future Congresses or through administrative regulation and review from singling out motorcyclists or any other group for that matter. We have tried to address the discrimination of coverage in the private sector since HIPPA was passed and have run into roadblocks each and every year.
- HR 2454 – “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009” Instituting a cap and trade system will have negative effects across the board on a variety of industries including the motorcycle industry. There is not the consensus that many people talk about concerning the effects of so called global warming or now climate change.
- HR 1780 – “Smart Planning for Smart Growth Act of 2009”One item that is of particular interest in this bill was to allow for “Congestion Pricing.” In other words to charge extra to use certain roads during certain times of day. Please oppose any of this type of legislation or any that would prohibit use of roads especially motorcycles during any or part of the day.
- Any bill that would infringe upon an individual’s Second Amendment Rights. Examples of this would be bills such as HR45.
Thank you for your time and consideration of these and other issues. The Kentucky Motorcycle Association will be glad to offer any assistance we can with regards to these or any others which may affect motorcyclists in our state or the nation.
Jay Huber
Kentucky Motorcycle Association/KBA State President
