We had a small, but dedicated, group of folks participate in ABATE Day at the Statehouse yesterday. This included members that have done this dozens of times, as well as a couple of first-timers.
Even with this being the “short session”, about 650 bills have been introduced.
Among these, is SB173 that could have motorcyclists classified as “vulnerable road users” and lumped in with pedestrians and bicyclists. We have a great rapport with Bicycle Indiana and other organizations, but motorcycles need to be grouped with registered, tax paying motor vehicles to ensure we are equally considered in all roadway discussions.
We met yesterday with the author of SB173, Senator J.D. Ford. He was very interested and extremely receptive to our concerns and suggestions. Should the bill receive a hearing, we are now confident that we will be able to have motorcyclists properly positioned in the language.
Although no bill has been introduced yet, we anticipate a follow up to last session’s ethanol bill. You may recall that this would have allowed gasohol in Indiana to include up to 15% alcohol (E15). Federal law prohibits motorcycles from using fuel with more than 10%.
Throughout the day, our grassroots lobbyists had contacts with the following:
Representatives
Terri Austin, Chris May, Shelia Klinker, Don Lehe, Doug Gutwein, Mike Speedy, Mike Karickhoff, Ed Soliday, Bruce Borders, Speaker of the House Todd Huston, Cindy Ledbetter, Randy Lyness, Jeff Ellington, Craig Snow, Shane Lindauer
Senators
Mike Crider, Phil Boots, Mark Messmer, Vanetta Becker, J.D. Ford, Eric Koch, David Niezgodski, Jim Buck, Erin Houchin, Andy Zay, Michael Young
Additionally, we interacted with Indiana Supreme Court Justice Christopher Goff, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and Governor Eric Holcomb, as well as numerous staffers and lobbyists.
Although no bill has been introduced yet, we anticipate a follow-up to the last session’s ethanol bill. You may recall that this would have allowed gasohol in Indiana to include up to 15% alcohol (E15). Federal law prohibits motorcycles from using fuel with more than 10%.g motor vehicles to ensure we are equally considered in all roadway discussions.