OKLAHOMA UPDATE

The Oklahoma Legislative Session for 2007 began on Monday, February 5, and ABATE of Oklahoma faced the challenge of wading through over two thousand bills filed in advance of the January 18 deadline for submission. The bill which immediately grabbed our attention was HB 1539, which proposes to strike the words "under eighteen years of age" from the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Safety Statute and establish a Mandatory Universal Helmet Law in the Sooner State. This tactic is being attempted in several other states which have existing Helmet Laws for minors. ABATE immediately started mobilizing area motorcyclists in a widespread phone and letter campaign to contact legislators and urge its defeat. Additionally, Charlie Williams, Oklahoma MRF Rep, networked with Lance Cargill, the new House Speaker, and Holly Swinford, ABATE's Political Director, has been interacting with House committee members where the bill would be likely to appear. We've already been contacted by the office of Rep. Skye McNiel, the bill's author, informing us that she doesn't have support of the House leadership, and that she doesn't expect the bill to be heard. However, she didn't intend to withdraw it, so we expect it to die in committee. I will point out that, as Holly mentioned: BILLS DIE--IDEAS DON'T! There can always be the possibility of a Helmet Law threat appearing for the duration of the Session--one can be attached as a rider to any number of "Safety"-related bills. Also, amendments can be submitted in the Oklahoma State Senate that have absolutely nothing to do with the original bill (like a Helmet Law being attached to a financial bill). A bill can also be re-written in Conference Committee to become a "back door" Universal Helmet Law, as was attempted with an ATV Helmet bill last year. Incidentally, the same type of bill, HB1686, has been filed this year, which would require mandatory helmet usage for off-road riders under 18. It's extremely important that nobody "counts their chickens before they're hatched" out there, and assume that we've already won the battle. I appreciate folks being active in following up on these important topics, and continue to keep yourselves aware and informed, but please be patient! The price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance, and ABATE will be keeping a close watch on legislative developments, as we usually do, until the Oklahoma Session's end in May.

Other bills of interest to highlight are: HB 1584, the Right To Repair Act for Oklahoma, which mirrors Federal-level legislation the MRF is supporting. ABATE also supports this important Freedom Of Choice-based bill. We have two "Red Light" bills filed, HB 1923 and SB 131, which would allow motorcyclists to proceed through an intersection after determining it to be safe, if their bikes don't trigger the light to turn green. SB 676 would prohibit use of hand-held cell phones while driving, and HB 1083 would significantly reduce Turnpike Tolls for motorcyclists. For those not aware, Oklahoma has more miles of turnpike roads than any other state except New York. There are a number of bills affecting both street and off-road vehicle operating procedures in Oklahoma, including HB 1426, which would more sharply define which motor vehicles can operate on Oklahoma roadways; SB 501, addressing operation of those proliferating electric bicycles and scooters; SB 851, which would allow operation of ATVs on streets and highways; and SB 1039; which would limit engine size for juvenile riders to 50cc for 12 and under and 90cc for 15 and under. Lastly, SB 464 would delay or derail implementation of the REAL-ID ACT in Oklahoma, the Federal legislation establishing a Big Brother-type National ID Card disguised as your Driver's License.

I've covered a LOT of ground here, and that's because we're probably experiencing the largest volume of recent legislation in Oklahoma which could permanently alter the face of Free Motorcycling as we know it. That underscores the importance of the annual ABATE of Oklahoma Legislative Breakfast, held Thursday, March 1, 2007 from 730AM until 1030AM! For those not aware, ABATE has been providing Breakfast to the entire Oklahoma State Legislature and their staffs at the State Capitol 4th Floor Rotunda for 14 years now. The reason we host it on a Thursday is that it's the only day during the week when the Legislators aren't in Session the entire day, and they have some time to spend in their offices and meet their constituents. It's a tremendous opportunity to get to know the Legislators and discuss important issues with them. We have computers there (the Capitol is enabled for Wireless Internet), so we can find out for folks who their Legislators are based on where riders live, and provide the office numbers and contact information for their Senators and Representatives. We also provide Talking Points sheets and questionnaires to give Bikers, so they know what they need to discuss. The sight of hundreds of Bikers in leathers and patches is very dramatic--not because we're intimidating (in fact, we're routinely complimented for being one of the nicest groups that shows up to interact with the Legislature), but because our passion for what we enjoy--Motorcycling--is obvious, and we make a much more effective impression. Interested Freedom-loving riders are invited to check out our ABATE State Website at www.abateofoklahoma.org for specific bill numbers and content. You're encouraged to find out who your Legislators are if you don't know, and PLEASE give them a call to notify them about what you support, and what you want to see defeated (like the HB1539 Helmet Law proposal!). Chris, our State Webmaster, has researched over SIXTY bills that might directly be of some interest to motorcyclists, and has been updating the information on the Website as soon as possible. You can also call our ABATE Hotline at: 405-329-7254 to find out more information or leave a message for Holly, our Political Director. Thanks a bunch for your interest in these issues, and for your defense of Riding Freedom in Oklahoma--contact me anytime!

In Liberty,
Tiger Mike Revere
State Coordinator,
ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
405-672-1008 (H/FAX)
405-596-1072 (Cell)