Motorcyclists from across Texas rode to the State Capitol in Austin on Sunday, January 23rd to meet with Senators and Representatives at the newly convened 82nd Legislature of Texas on Monday. The Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA2), US Defenders/Coalition of Independent Riders and the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents (TCOC&I) hosted a meeting Sunday to prepare riders to talk with their legislators the next day. Upwards of 10,000 riders made the group ride to the Capitol Monday morning. Riders met on the Capitol steps prior to visiting their Senators and Representatives. The strong turnout confirmed Texas Motorcyclist’s commitment to protect their civil liberties and assure that we will continue to have a loud voice in Texas politics.
The TMRA2 and TCOC&I continue the fight for motorcyclists rights and freedoms championed by motorcycle lobbyist Sputnik who died in 2010. He was a staunch leader, a true voice for motorcycling and freedom. He will be missed, but he trained Texas freedom fighters well. Riders voiced their concerns to legislators about several issues including:
Support for the updated helmet law (SB1967) passed in 2009: It repealed the helmet exemption sticker program and prohibits a peace officer from stopping or detaining a person who is the operator of or a passenger on a motorcycle for the sole purpose of determining whether the person has successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course or is covered by a motorcycle health insurance plan. In 2009 there was a 15% reduction in serious injuries and a 20% reduction in deaths, proving that an emphasis on training and safety works.
Support for a Fusion Center Privacy Policy Bill: This legislation prohibits law enforcement from stopping bikers, photographing their tattoos and patches and putting the information in the Fusion database, even if they are not suspected of a crime. Approximately 60 “fusion centers” have been established nationwide, with some focusing exclusively on criminal activity, others on both criminal and terrorist threats and some on very specific acts, such as human smuggling, gang activity, online predators or drug trafficking.
The Fusion Center Privacy Bill will read: “A project shall not collect or maintain criminal intelligence information about the political, religious or social views, associations, or activities of any individual association, corporation, business, partnership, or other organization unless such information directly relates to criminal conduct or activity and there is reasonable suspicion that the subject of the information is or may be involved in criminal conduct or activity.”
Concern for Use of Funding for Motorcycle Rider Training: A Rider Training Fund has been established for the Motorcycle Safety Division of DPS. Currently only $997,775.28 has been released of the $2,200,000 budget that was established for rider training. Riders will encourage their legislators to make sure that all funds within the budget are actually spent for training and not diverted to other uses.
Concerns with Road Blocks/Check Points (HB 439 and SB288, both bills currently being evaluated by the Texas Legislators): Motorcyclists are opposed to these bills which allow road blocks and check points. The practice of setting up barricades on roads to stop and interrogate motorists suspected of no wrongdoing has been unlawful since a 1994 state appeals court decision ruled that a “politically accountable governing body at the state level” must first approve their use. The bill would add (literally) a new chapter to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure entitled “Sobriety Checkpoints.” This bill will authorize the police to stop vehicles without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Law Enforcement will be able to stop you for any reason or for no reason at all. They will then be allowed, after the fact, to “develop” probable cause that an offense has been committed.
After meeting with their Senators and Representatives many riders filled the galleries of the two legislative sessions to further reinforce the fact that Texas Motorcyclists are aware and involved in the political process. Escondido Paul, State Chairman of TMRA2 and National Lt. Commander of the US Defenders states that this Legislative Action Day is a “history making event … ‘that offers’ … an opportunity to exercise your freedom to speak, your freedom to assemble, and your freedom to ride with whomever you want …”
–Gypsy Raoul
