CHP to crack down on motorcycle violations this weekend
9:14 AM, May 14, 2015; 4:50 PM, May 14, 2015

VENTURA, Calif. - Starting Friday, the California Highway Patrol will crack down on all motorcycle violations in an effort to reduce fatal and injury crashes.

The increased enforcement will focus on the Pacific Coast Highway and run through Sunday, officials said.


Full article: http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/traffic/chp-to-crack-down-on-motorcycle-violations-this-weekend_27117298
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GEORGIA- veto

SB76: "Motorcycle Mobility Safety Act"; safe operation of a motorcycle; inoperative traffic-control signal

Status: May/12/2015: Veto V1

NOTE: Governor Deal’s statement: http://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2015-05-12/deal-issues-2015-veto-statements
Veto Number 1

SB 76:  Senate Bill 76 would allow motorcycle and bicycle operators to enter an intersection without providing a definitive regard to the traffic signal in instances where the lightweight nature of their vehicle will not activate a traffic-control device. While I am sympathetic to the concerns and causes of motorcyclists and bicyclists, this legislation does not provide an adequate solution and presents a confusing exception to motorists. Furthermore, Senate Bill 76 would eliminate the current 15-inch height restriction placed on motorcycle handlebars. Motorcycles equipped with handlebars more than 15 inches in height pose a safety hazard due to the increased difficulty in steering and decreased control. In 2014, crashes involving motorcycles and bicycles accounted for 13 percent of the fatalities on Georgia roads, and I do not see how this legislation will enhance roadway safety. Therefore, in the interest of providing the necessary roadway safety Georgians deserve, I hereby VETO Senate Bill 76.

Bill text: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20152016/153818.pdf
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ILLINOIS- update

HB3944: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a motorcycle may be equipped with auxiliary accent lights, including standard bulb running lights and light emitting diode pods and strips. Provides that the auxiliary accent lights shall not be red or white or oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. Defines "auxiliary accent light".

Status:
5/13/2015: Senate- Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 14, 2015
5/13/2015: Senate- Do Pass Transportation. Vote: 16-0

Bill text: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/99/HB/PDF/09900HB3944lv.pdf
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KANSAS- law

HB2044: License, registration and safety requirement for autocycle.[ Autocycle’’ means a three-wheel motorcycle that has a steering wheel and seating that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride it]

Status: May 08, 2015: Approved by Governor on Thursday, 07 May 2015

Bill text: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/measures/documents/hb2044_enrolled.pdf
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MARYLAND- law

HB917/SB716: Prohibiting a police officer at a motor vehicle checkpoint from targeting only motorcycles for inspection or evaluation; creating a specified exception to the prohibition for a police officer at a motor vehicle checkpoint established as part of a police search or investigation; providing for the construction of a provision of law governing obedience to a lawful order or direction of a police officer; etc.

Status: 5/12/2015: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 287

Bill text: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/bills/hb/hb0917T.pdf
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MISSOURI- update

SB278: This act modifies provisions relating to motor vehicles. [LICENSE PLATE MOUNTING (Section 301.130) - This act allows trailer and motorcycle license plates to be mounted horizontally or vertically on the left rear of the motor vehicle.]

Status:
5/15/2015: In Conference--SS for SCS for SB 278-Schatz, with HCS, as amended (House requests Senate take up and adopt CCR and pass CCS)
5/11/2015: House refuses to grant further conference & requests S take up and adopt CCR and pass CCS

Bill text: http://www.senate.mo.gov/15info/pdf-bill/House/HCS-SB/SB0278.pdf

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NEVADA- update

AB422: Revises provisions governing the operation and equipment of motorcycles and mopeds. [Handlebars]

Status:
May 14, 2015: Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
May 13, 2015: Taken from General File. Placed on General File for next legislative day.
May 12, 2015: Read second time.
May 11, 2015: Taken from Second Reading File. Placed on Second Reading File for next legislative day.
May 08, 2015: From committee: Do pass.

Bill text: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Bills/AB/AB422.pdf
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NEW HAMPSHIRE- update

HB385: relative to special motorcycle number plates for disabled veterans.

Status: 5/13/2015: Full Committee Work Session: 5/20/2015 1:30 PM LOB 203

Bill text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2015/HB0385.pdf
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NEW JERESY- update, article

A230/S829: Enacts "Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act."

Status/ Assembly:
5/14/2015: Assembly Floor Amendment Passed

Bill text: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A0500/230_R2.PDF
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Motorcycle crackdown, green jobs: 5 Newark Town Hall takeaways

By Dan Ivers | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
May 12, 2015

2. City officials are cracking down on unlicensed motorcycles and ATVs that have drawn noise and traffic complaints from many residents.

Baraka said the ATVs and small motorcycles — "crotch rockets," as one speaker at the Town Hall called them — are being towed by police who find them parked and unoccupied. Because a license is not required for the vehicles, they often go unclaimed, allowing the city to keep them.

The mayor also said the ATVs and motorcycles were "instrumental" in activity following a motorcycle rally on Sunday that led to the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy.
Full article: http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/05/motorcycle_crackdown_green_jobs_5_things_we_learne.html
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NORTH CAROLINA- update

SB90: Required Number of Operating Brake Lights. [No person shall sell or operate on the highways of the State any motorcycle or motor‑driven cycle, manufactured after December 31, 1970, unless it shall be equipped with a stop lamp on the rear of the motorcycle or motor‑driven cycle.]

Status:
05/14/2015: Senate- Regular Message Received For Concurrence in H Com Sub; Placed On Cal for 05/18/2015
05/13/2015: House- Passed 2nd Reading Vote: 113-1; Passed 3rd Reading
05/12/2015: House-Reported Fav Com Substitute; Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

Bill text: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2015/Bills/Senate/PDF/S90v2.pdf
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OREGON- updates                       

SB533A: Permits bicyclist or motorcyclist to proceed at stop light under certain conditions.

Status:
5-13: House-Third reading. Carried by Davis. Passed. Vote: 55-0

Bill text: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB533/Enrolled
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SB694: Allows operators of motorcycles and mopeds to pass vehicles in same lane during traffic jams or slowdowns. Allows operators of motorcycles and mopeds to travel between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles during traffic jams or slowdowns.

Status: 5-15: House- Public Hearing scheduled

Meeting materials:
Andy Goldfine Testimony/Ride to Work
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73624
Andy Hudock Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73777
Brian Edwards Presentation
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73757
Chatham Olive Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73751
Colton Cabler Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73750
Courtney Olive Presentation
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73758
Courtney Olive Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73749
Cynthia J. Strauss Testimony     
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73617
Daniel Halli Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73621
Doug Towsley Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73608
Edwards House Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73610
Gregor Halenda Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73611
Holly Witt Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73623
Jim Broglio Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73625
Katy King Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73752
Khang Nguyen Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73623
Lucas Bigeh Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73622
Matthew Mayer Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73616
Micheal Friend Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73754
Nicholas Haris / American Motorcyclist Association
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73614
Robert Reichenberg /Governor's Advisory Committee
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73753
Rodney Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73615
Sambath Ou Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73613
Sean Severson testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73794
Steven M. Guderian Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73618
Tim Evinger /House Transportation
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73609
Tristan Twohig Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73864
Wayne Allard /AMA
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73620
Zac Christensen Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73755
Zachary Hull Testimony
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/73619

Bill text: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB694/A-Engrossed
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SB878:   Relating to the offense of unlawful moped or motorcycle operation.

Status: 5-18: House –Transportation and Economic- Public Hearing scheduled. 3 pm, HR E

Bill text: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB878/Introduced
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PENNSYLVANIA- update

SB284: providing for special motorcycle plates for veterans.

Status:
May 12, 2015: Third consideration and final passage. Vote: 47-0

Bill text: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0284&pn=0783
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TEXAS- updates

HB3862/SB754: Relating to the use of money in the motorcycle education fund account for certain motorcycle safety programs.

Status:
Assembly:
05/11/2015: Committee report sent to Local and Consent Calendar
05/08/2015: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
05/07/2015: Recalled from subcommittee; committee substitute considered; reported favorably as substitute
Senate:
05/12/2015: Committee report sent to Local and Consent Calendar
05/11/2015: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
05/08/2015: Reported favorably without amendments

Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/pdf/HB03862H.pdf#navpanes=0        
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SB449:   Relating to the titling, registration, and operation of an autocycle.[ “autocycle is considered to be a motorcycle]

Status:
05/12/2015: Signed in Senate; Signed in House; Sent to the Governor.
05/11/2015: Reported enrolled
05/08/2015: Read second time- passed; Read third time- passed.            

Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/pdf/SB00449F.pdf#navpanes=0
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SB1918: Relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on motorcycles.

Status: 05/11/2015: House- read first time; referred to Transportation

Bill text: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/pdf/SB01918E.pdf#navpanes=0
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STUDIES/REPORTS

NHTSA: Traffic Safety Facts- Motorcycles 2013 Data
DOT HS 812 148
May 2015

PDF: 8 pages: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812148.pdf

NOTE: states listed for motorcyclists killed with BAC, and motorcyclists killed with helmet use.