I just received this email........
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:53 pm
Hi, all.
I just found this in my inbox. Thought I would share, and fish for some opinions. If this is true, please allow me to be the first here to voice my discontent with this proposed legislation.
Regards.
Perry
Action Alert 01/08/2008 Draconian Legislation Proposed in Florida
Seizure and forfeiture of motorcycles part of legislation
HB 137, "Offenses Committed While Operating a Motorcycle", introduced by Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami), proposes that any motorcyclist charged with reckless operation or riding 30 miles per hour or greater above the posted speed limit would face arrest, seizure and forfeiture of their motorcycle, and revocation of their motorcycle endorsement for ten years. The legislation applies ONLY to motorcycles and their operators; no other motorized vehicle or driver operating on a public roadway is threatened with these penalties.
Review the history and the text of this bill by clicking here.
The House Committee on Infrastructure will hold a hearing on January 10 at 9 am in room 404 HOB to consider HB-137. See the committee notice by clicking here.
A related bill (SB-802) has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Rudy Garcia (R- Hialeah). Click here to review the history and text of SB-802.
Even if you obey the law, HB-137 is discriminatory and unfair because it sends the wrong message - motorcyclists are the ONLY threat on public roadways. Car, light truck, and SUV drivers, alleged to have violated the SAME laws, do not face the same harsh penalties. That's discrimination, period.
Because time is short and this issue is important, make three phone calls TODAY to make your voice heard -
1) Contact the office of HB-137's sponsor and state that you DO NOT SUPPORT HB-137 because it is discriminatory.
Here is Representative Lopez-Cantera's contact information:
Capitol Office: 300 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300, Phone: (850) 488-4202
District Office: Suite 111, 2300 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145-3511, Phone: (305) 442-6877
Legislative Assistant: Lourdes Gonzalez District Secretary: David Cruz
2) Contact the office of the Chair of the House Committee on Infrastructure, Representative Richard "Rich" Glorioso, and state that you DO NOT SUPPORT HB-137 because it is discriminatory.
Here is Representative Glorioso's contact information:
Capitol Office: 405 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300, Phone: (850) 488-0807
District Office: Suite 204, 110 W. Reynolds Street, Plant City, FL 33563-3379, Phone: (813) 757-9110
Legislative Assistant: Cori Cuttler District Secretary: Robyn Bryant
3) Contact your representative - use the Florida StateWatch area under the Rapid Response Center to learn who your representative is and then make the call and/or send an e-mail message OPPOSING HB-137.
HB-137 and SB-802 are discriminatory - don't let these bills go uncontested. The law and its penalties should apply to all violators, not just motorcyclists.
I just found this in my inbox. Thought I would share, and fish for some opinions. If this is true, please allow me to be the first here to voice my discontent with this proposed legislation.
Regards.
Perry
Action Alert 01/08/2008 Draconian Legislation Proposed in Florida
Seizure and forfeiture of motorcycles part of legislation
HB 137, "Offenses Committed While Operating a Motorcycle", introduced by Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami), proposes that any motorcyclist charged with reckless operation or riding 30 miles per hour or greater above the posted speed limit would face arrest, seizure and forfeiture of their motorcycle, and revocation of their motorcycle endorsement for ten years. The legislation applies ONLY to motorcycles and their operators; no other motorized vehicle or driver operating on a public roadway is threatened with these penalties.
Review the history and the text of this bill by clicking here.
The House Committee on Infrastructure will hold a hearing on January 10 at 9 am in room 404 HOB to consider HB-137. See the committee notice by clicking here.
A related bill (SB-802) has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Rudy Garcia (R- Hialeah). Click here to review the history and text of SB-802.
Even if you obey the law, HB-137 is discriminatory and unfair because it sends the wrong message - motorcyclists are the ONLY threat on public roadways. Car, light truck, and SUV drivers, alleged to have violated the SAME laws, do not face the same harsh penalties. That's discrimination, period.
Because time is short and this issue is important, make three phone calls TODAY to make your voice heard -
1) Contact the office of HB-137's sponsor and state that you DO NOT SUPPORT HB-137 because it is discriminatory.
Here is Representative Lopez-Cantera's contact information:
Capitol Office: 300 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300, Phone: (850) 488-4202
District Office: Suite 111, 2300 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145-3511, Phone: (305) 442-6877
Legislative Assistant: Lourdes Gonzalez District Secretary: David Cruz
2) Contact the office of the Chair of the House Committee on Infrastructure, Representative Richard "Rich" Glorioso, and state that you DO NOT SUPPORT HB-137 because it is discriminatory.
Here is Representative Glorioso's contact information:
Capitol Office: 405 House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300, Phone: (850) 488-0807
District Office: Suite 204, 110 W. Reynolds Street, Plant City, FL 33563-3379, Phone: (813) 757-9110
Legislative Assistant: Cori Cuttler District Secretary: Robyn Bryant
3) Contact your representative - use the Florida StateWatch area under the Rapid Response Center to learn who your representative is and then make the call and/or send an e-mail message OPPOSING HB-137.
HB-137 and SB-802 are discriminatory - don't let these bills go uncontested. The law and its penalties should apply to all violators, not just motorcyclists.