SB 5995, which eliminates the Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board (sec. 46), and SB 5994, which eliminates the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee (sec 104/105) have both been passed out of committee and are awaiting a "pull" to the floor. It is merely a matter of time until they do go to the floor, as the Governor is putting massive pressure on the legislature to move both of these measures.

I have already made numerous impassioned pleas to the members of the committee and lobbied the Governor’s staff, so far to little or no avail. Here is the case as I have outlined it.

*Both the Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board and the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee are funded by the same users that are affected by the respective board or committee, making them effectively "revenue neutral."

*Both are the only available method of true citizen oversight on these state programs.

*The Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board is directly responsible for the high quality of the safety and education program in Washington State, thereby saving lives. This program was identified in the Governor’s Task Force on Motorcycle Safety, so any action that could reduce the effectiveness of that program would be counter intuitive and run against all common sense.

*Both the Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board and the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Advisory Committee are widely supported by the consumers that are paying for them. In business terms, this is something that the customer wants and is willing to pay for.

Many people are turning a deaf ear to these facts, especially the Governor’s staff. Many members have expressed concern and possible support. What we need to see is a floor amendment offered to remove sec. 46 from SB 5995 and sec. 104/105 from SB 5994. All hands are urged to contact their state senator, make the case, and ask that they offer to make these amendments. I would rather have several senators offer identical amendments than have none offer one up, so everyone needs to hit their senator.

The bottom line is this: The Washington State Senate and the Governor’s office need to feel the pressure of 300,000 endorsed riders articulately expressing their opposition to this legislation. Flood the switchboards and hit the e-mail. It is imperative that they understand our numbers and the depth of our opposition.

To find your senator go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Ride safe and legislate well,

"Texas" Larry Walker
Government Relations Specialist
Washington Road Riders Association
wrraleg@aol.com