HB 3314, Vulnerable Users of the Public Way, passed the House today in an exciting frenzy of activity. Freshman Representative Tobias Read (D) Beaverton, 
and his team took the reigns internally, carrying the bill on the House floor, and perhaps more importantly, doing much of the member to member lobbying necessary to make bills pass with bi-partisan support.
Rep. Read presented the bill earlier in the week to the Democratic Caucus, counting “aye†votes in case of expected opposition. And the opposition appeared to mount as late as this morning when the Republicans asked for a 15-minute recess to caucus and talk (seemingly about this bill.)
But in the end, bicyclists and safety advocates statewide effectively contacted their Representatives to build support, including “aye†votes from many Republicans. Representative Bob Jenson (R) Pendleton, gave a floor speech about a constituent that lost his wife in a crash that would have invoked these penalties. Republican Sal Esquival submitted a “floor letter†– a letter distributed to every member of the House in his name – with the testimony of another traumatic injury case of his constituent. Bicycle advocating Representatives Dingfelder and Krummel spoke in support.
On the floor there were tough questions and seemingly pessimistic speeches from Representatives Krieger and Flores. However, in the end, they both voted “aye†on the bill.
The BTA will continue to work with these Representatives, including Representatives Read, Krieger, and Olsen as the bill advances to the Senate.
Thanks everyone for the work!
