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 His bill, HB1173 would have repealed the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!
