Virginia State Legislative Issues

Delegate Lingamfelter was also the patron of a motorcycle helmet repeal bill this year. His bill, HB1173 would have repealed the helmet requirement for riders 21 and older and included a provision requiring $10,000 in bond or insurance for riders. The bill was heard in full transportation committee and was soundly defeated by a vote of 14 to 7!

A related bill in the Senate, SB698, filed by Senator Chap Peterson seeks to amend the penalty for riding without a helmet from a traffic infraction punishable by up to a $250 fine to a $25 civil penalty. The bill made its way out of Senate Transportation this week by a vote of 10 to 4. Those speaking in opposition to the bill were numerous and included State Farm. Senator Peterson countered the opponents' arguments by repeatedly stressing that the measure is not a repeal of the helmet law.

Last week you were alerted to HB225, legislation to weaken the current child restraint laws. This bill was heard by a Transportation subcommittee on Monday. After extensive testimony on the measure, including opposition testimony offered on behalf of State Farm, the bill was narrowly defeated by the subcommittee. However, it is possible that there efforts to revive the measure. Therefore, those of us working to oppose it are remaining watchful.

Your help is needed in the effort to defeat this bill before it passes to the House. If you support our present helmet laws please take a moment today to let your Senator know, by email or telephone, that you oppose this bill.

Please spread the word and contact your Senators. We have enough head injuries and injured, unrestrained children in the Commonwealth!