Motorcycle Legislation
Learn more about how ABATE supports motorcycle riders via laws and legislation.
Stump’s Legislative News
Legislation is the primary concern of a State Motorcycle Rights Organization (SMRO) and the State Legislative Affairs Officer is taxed with the following duties: 1) staying current on state and federal legislation affecting motorcycling; 2) advise the Board of Directors (Board) and District Legislative Officers of such legislation; 3) take actions recommended by the Board; 4) initiate and attend meetings with legislators, politicians, and other interested parties and report on such meetings to the Board; and 5) organize lobbying and issue legislative alerts.
ABATE Legislative Efforts
Our legislative program monitors and lobbies against legislation that would negatively effect motorcyclist’s rights and safety at the State level, and partners with AMA & MRF at the Federal level. In addition we support and seek out sponsors for legislation that would benefit motorcycling. We have been fighting for our rights to ride since 1983.
WHO WE ARE
ABATE of Colorado is a family of motorcycle enthusiasts who love riding, no matter the make of motorcycle. We've been advocating for motorcyclists' rights for years, and are excited to welcome you into our organization.
WHAT WE DO
We stay current on legislative issues of concern to motorcyclists and pass legislative information unto our membership. With your help, we can have a strong legislative voice at the Capitol and in Washington DC.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to promote fair legislation by monitoring the government on all levels regarding issues affecting motorcyclists, and promoting positive issues and countering issues that have a negative affect on motorcycling
All the information you need,
in one place
2024 is the second session of the 74th General Assembly. The regular session convened on Wednesday, January 10th and gavels out on Wednesday, May 8th. An interim session continues from the end of the regular session until the start of the next regular session. The Colorado Legislature consists of 35 Senators and 65 Representatives. Senators are elected for four-year terms with half of the Senators elected every two years and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. Representatives are elected for two-year terms and can serve for no more than four consecutive terms. A candidate for the General Assembly must be at least 25 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the district he/she wishes to represent for at least 12 months before the election.
Find your Legislators
While there are many ways to find out who your Legislators are, I’ll mention one way that seems to be the easiest way.
Colorado Legislature Website - http://leg.colorado.gov. This is my preferred way, mainly because I use this website a lot and it’s sure to be accurate. Enter this website, then at the top, right of the home page, click on “Find My Legislator”. Enter your address information in the search bar located on the top, left side of the map and click the search button. Your Colorado State Legislators will appear.
Congressional Legislators - https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members. Enter this website, then type in your address. Your Senators and Representative will appear.?
Contacting Your Legislators
· Write and send email or letter
o Make it short – one page is plenty
o State if you are a constituent
o State your concern (pro or con; Support or Oppose)
o Give your reasons (if so inclined) do not try to be an expert unless you are!
o Include return information and ask for a reply
· Make a phone call:
o Call legislators at their offices or homes
o Tell them your name and where you live
o Briefly say why you are calling (reference to legislation, bill #, etc.)
o Be polite – speak slowly – maintain composure
o Keep it short
o If you reach voice mail, leave a message using the same as above
o Thank them for their time
Representatives
Law-Making Process
Once a bill has been drafted, the first step is introducing the bill in the originating chamber. This is when the bill is given a number along with the year. House Bills have 4-digit numbers starting at 1001 and Senate Bills have 3-digits starting at 001 (ex. – HB23-1001 & SB23-001). The bill is read by the House Clerk or the Secretary of the Senate, then assigned to a committee by the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate.
The second step is a committee hearing and vote which may include testimonies and amendments. The Chairperson of the committee sets the date for the hearing for each bill. After discussion and testimony, a vote is taken and reported. There are 4 possible conclusions to the hearing: 1) recommended for passage (passed) and forwarded to the originating chamber (now called Committee of the Whole); 2) passed and forwarded to another committee (ex. – the bill contains a fiscal note so it has to go to the Appropriations Committee); 3) postponed indefinitely (PI’d or basically killed in committee); or 4) laid over for more discussion and a vote at a later date. A committee report is written with the result of the vote at the end of the hearing.
After the bill passes the assigned committees, it goes to the Committee of the Whole for a 2nd Reading, which may include debate and amendments, followed by a voice vote on the bill. If passed, the bill is then scheduled for a 3rd Reading in the same chamber for possibly more debate and/or amendments, followed by a recorded vote.
If the bill passes both the 2nd and 3rd Readings, it goes to the other chamber for the same scenario (1st Reading; assignment to a committee; committee hearing, vote and report; and 2nd and 3rd Readings). If the bill passed the 2nd chamber without any amendments and doesn’t have a referendum clause, it’s sent to the Governor. If it has a referendum clause, it’s put on the ballot on Election Day.
If the 2nd chamber made any amendments, the originating chamber can accept or reject the changes. If accepted and the bill has no referendum clause, it’s sent to the Governor. If the amended bill is accepted and has a referendum clause, it’s held for the voters on election day.
If the originating chamber rejects the changes, the prime sponsor, with the approval of the full chamber, may request a Conference Committee be appointed to iron out the differences. A Conference Committee is composed of 3 members from each chamber with 2 from the majority party and 1 from the minority party. If the Conference Committee reaches an agreement, the report is sent to both chambers. If acceptable to both chambers, it’s sent to the Governor if no referendum clause or held for the election day if it has a referendum clause.
When the bill comes to the Governor, he has 3 options: 1) sign the bill and it becomes law; 2) fail to sign the bill within 10 days during session or within 30 days if the General Assembly is adjourned and it becomes law; or 3) veto the bill. If vetoed, the bill can be “re-passed” by a 2/3 majority in both chambers.
ABATE's Legislative Accomplishments
Helped defeat mandatory helmet legislation in Colorado
Successfully lobbied in Washington, DC on behalf of Colorado motorcyclists for repeal of Sec. 153 ISTEA penalties
Supported legislation for self-funded rider education (1990)
Worked to ensure motorcyclists are not denied health care benefits (1996)
Worked to establish Motorcycle Veterans license plates (2005)
Lobbied in Washington, DC for the passage of SAFE-TEA LU bill (2005)
Promoted legislation allowing Military to qualify as residents for rider education tuition (M.O.S.T.) subsidy (2007)
Promoted and lobbied legislation for 3 wheel endorsement (2008)
Worked with Legislators to save the M.O.S.T. program (2012)
Worked to ensure free access for motorcycles to all HOV lanes in Colorado (2016)
Lobbied and got passed a "Dead-Red" bill for motorcyclists (2019)
Lobbied and got passed a statute to redefine a motorcycle to separate it from autocycles (2022)