Last week the BTA advocacy staff and lobbyists were in D.C. However work in Salem never stopped. Below is an update on the BTA’s legislative agenda; also see the BTA legislative webpage for more details.
1. Vulnerable Roadway Users – HB 3314
This bill has been entered as Judiciary Committee bill and we are working with the chairs of both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees – Rep. Macperhson and Sen. Burdick – to arrange a hearing.
Legislative members are concerned about large increases in new crimes, prison-system overcrowding, etc., so they are taking a comprehensive look at all bills that would create new crimes, such as ours. We are working to get our bill in this package.
2. Bicycle Safety Improvement – SB 299
This bill would require a minimum passing distance and other bicycle safety improvements. It had a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, many cyclists and non-cyclists have commented. The bill language is still being amended… we will report back when compromise language emerges.
3. Pedestrian Hand Signal — SB 573
This bill had a positive hearing and is being amended to clarify where a pedestrian has to be in order to use the hand signal. Once the amendments are finalized, we hope to have a work session to pass the bill out of Senate Judiciary
Other Bills
Brake Update – SB 729
This bill would update the current statue on bicycle brakes and would exempt fixies from having a separate brake. It will have a hearing on Tuesday March 27th at 1:15 p.m.
Stay Tuned for additional updates
I’ve been waiting to hear the BTA update from DC…will we get to read about it in the blog sometime soon, I hope?
yeah, I’ll get something out tomorrow…. hopefully more than one post so stay tuned.
What’s happening with the other “Other” bill – the rolling stop?