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Previous updates, 2000

January	May
February	June
March	July
April	August

Previous updates, 1999

September	November
October	December

 
January to March Updates

March 28, 2001

It is time to get back to work.  Senator Sebesta of District 20 filed SB2206.  This bill only effects motorcyclists.  It will require an insurance decal on specified license plates; it authorizes law enforcement to stop persons riding motorcycle without protective headgear to show proof of compliance with specified insurance requirements and it provides for penalties. 

This is a bad bill.  It discriminates against motorcyclist who make the adult decision not to where a helmet and it sets the stage for harassment by law enforcement.  This bill must be stopped.

Call your State Senator and ask him or her to vote against SB2206.  Call Senator Sebesta at 850 487-5075 and ask him to withdraw SB2206.  Email him at sebesta.jim.web@leg.state.fl.us.  Please have everyone you know do the same.  Let's not get caught napping by this bad bill.  For you information, District 20 takes in parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough County.
 

February 28, 2001

The 2001 session of the Florida Legislature convenes in 6 days on March 06, 2001.  So far over 2000 bills have been prefiled in the House and the Senate.  But as of today, no bills have been prefiled that effects the current helmet law.  That doesn't mean we're out of the woods quite yet.

If you remember last year, two days before the session ended, HB1911 was amended to include the current helmet law language.  It is important you visit here often to keep abreast of what is going on this session.  Remember, last year freedom choice opponents vowed to offer new legislation this year to bring back the helmet laws.  Let's not let them catch us with our pants down.  You can click here for a list of the House members or click here to find your Senate member.  To help you find your legislator visit the Find Your Legislators page.  To help you to introduce yourself to you legislator visit the Lobbying Legislators page.
 

January 29, 2001

There is little happening as of today.  Bills continue to be prefiled in both chambers of Florida's congress, but so far everyone has steered clear of the helmet issue.

Senator Jim Sebesta (R) from District 20 has prefiles five bills that deal with transportation and transportation safety issues (SB 390 through 398).  I spoke with his office and was assured that these bills do not concern the helmet issue.  Still, I am concerned.  If you remember few years ago, Senator Sullivan, who was a staunch supporter of the helmet law, had an assistant named Dave Winalski (sp).  He became Senator Sebesta's legislative assistant last year.  He was instrumental in shifting Senator Sebesta from supporting SB126 to opposing the bill.  This is my concern with these bills.  I am trying to get an appointment with Sebesta and will let you know what I find out.

I know it's boring to come to this website and see nothing happening but it's important that you check back often to keep abreast of what is going on.  There is just a little over a month to the start of the 2001 session and if things develop, they will develop quickly as they did last session.  Remember, no one heard anything about HB1911 until about 2 days before the end of the last year's session.  If nothing else, give some comments on the bulletin board and let us know you're still out there.
 

January 17, 2001

Well go figure!  I post information concerning HB121 and the next day the bill is withdrawn from consideration by the bills sponsor.  It was a lousy bill anyway.  Let's see it if comes back in some other form before March.
 

January 15, 2001

With the elections over (what a mess), the new Florida Congress is beginning it's work prefiling bills to be heard when the new session starts March 06, 2001.

Of concern to motorcyclists is House Bill 121.  The bill was prefiled by Representative Gustavo A. Barreiro (R) from District 107.  If passed, it would prohibit the registration of a motorcycles under certain circumstances.  HB121 states, "A motorcycle shall not be registered in this state to any person who does not have a valid driver's license which authorizes such person to operate a motorcycle, as provided in chapter 322, at the time of application for registration.

This stinks of discrimination.  A drivers license is not required to register any other type of motor vehicle in the State of Florida.  I have no idea of the purpose of this piece of legislation.  I will see what the intent is and let you know what I find as soon as I can.

Opponents of the modified helmet law have vowed to get the old law reinstated during this legislative session.  There are many new member in the Florida House and Senate.  It is imperative we introduce ourselves to the new members and renew our relationship with the older members.  You can click here for a list of the House members or click here to find your Senate member.  To help you find your legislator visit the Find Your Legislators page.  To help you to introduce yourself to you legislator visit the Lobbying Legislators page.  We need to stay alert or the opposition will steal from us what little freedom we have gained

 
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