April 27, 2010 - Correction: SB2627 still alive – just barelyThis past Friday, State Safety and Ed Coordinator Laura Mayer, A.B.A.T.E. lobbyist Todd Vandermyde, and I met with Representative Randy Ramey (R-55) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) representatives to review the Cycle Rider Safety Training (CRST) Program administered by IDOT. Specifically, we examined whether the working relationship between IDOT and the 4 State universities who operate the program was productive or whether the program needed to be transferred from IDOT to the Secretary of State. A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois’s Board of Directors has directed Laura and me to take appropriate steps to protect the CRST Program. Laura has been in communication with the universities and has reviewed a “banker’s box” of materials sent to us pursuant to our Freedom of Information Act requests. Based on what she has learned from these sources, Laura is comfortable with leaving the CRST Program with IDOT and finds that the Program is adequately protected with IDOT administering it. I agree with Laura. If the universities and IDOT are both satisfied, there would have to be a clear, serious problem with the Program before we would seek the sort of relief contained in Rep. Ramey’s HB 162 which would have transferred the CRST Program from IDOT to the Secretary of State. Because of the improved relationship between IDOT and the State universities regarding the CRST Program, we will not ask that HB 162 be pursued any further. HB 162 will, therefore, not be called for a vote and will expire.I spoke too soon about the death of SB2627, the youth bicycle helmet bill. A fairly uncommon rule 2-10 extension has extended the 3rd reading deadline of the current rendition of that bill to May 7th. This means there still could be a vote on the bill, if it makes it out of committee. Because it could be moved to the Senate quickly if it is passed out of committee, it would be a good idea to remind our senators that this bill still interferes with parental relationships with children – even though the enforcement provisions of the bill have been removed.
HB 162 also names the Secretary of State as trustee of the CRST Fund and clarifies existing language regarding how money can be taken from that fund. We discussed with Rep. Ramey whether HB 162 could be amended by deleting the program transfer language and retaining the CRST Fund protection provisions. The deadline for making such amendments has passed. This means that, if the 4th District of the Illinois Appellate Court, does not rule in our favor on this issue, we will need to have new proposed legislation entered next year on this subject. In a few hours, we leave for our Washington, D.C. trip. On Thursday, we shall attend a hearing chaired by Congressman Bobby Rush (D-1-IL) on a proposal to amend the federal Consumer Product Safety Act. I have not thoroughly assessed this 18 page proposal; so, I do not have an opinion yet on whether we should support or oppose it. It will make for interesting reading on the trip to Washington, D.C. I am sending the proposed legislation to chapter legislative officers so that they can examine it. We shall get back from Washington, D.C. just in time for an E Board meeting on Saturday and the Freedom Rally on Sunday. I hope to see you all (OK, a lot of you) at the Rally.
April 27, 2010 - DC update Your Washington, D.C. team is meeting with their Congressmen/women, Senators, and their staffs this week. We shall also attend a hearing on a proposed amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. That statute outlaws the sale of ATVs and dirt bikes (and repair/maintenance parts) designed for children. Correcting that statute is one of the highest priorities of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois on this Washington, D.C. trip.George Tinkham, State Legislative Coordinator