September 19, 2010
Ø
Chairman,
Treasurer and Secretary were present
Ø
The
Treasurer’s and Secretary’s report was read and accepted.
Ø
Approximately
25 People attended.
Ø Current Statistics
ü
103,000 motorcycle endorsements in Maine
ü
49,000 registered motorcycles in Maine
Ø Retirement
ü
Sonny Bridges announced his retirement, after 36 years of
being active in the PAC, due to health reasons.
Ø NCOM Trip
ü
After all accounting, Eric presented PAC Treasurer with a
reimbursement check for $310.22.
Ø PAC Function
ü
The PAC started in 1997 to deal with legislation pertaining
to motorcycles.
ü
We DO NOT ENDORSE CANDIDATES.
ü
We work with Department of Transportation (MDOT), Maine
Transportation and Safety Coalition (MTSC), Department of Highway Safety and
other state agencies on issues concerning motorcycle safety.
ü
Rumble Strips: When any new road construction deals with
cutting rumble strips, they will be 80’ of strip and 20’ of solid road to allow
motorcycles to safely exit highway.
ü
If road work will take 5 days or longer, rumble strips will
be covered.
Ø Legislation
ü
By the time Public Hearings are held, the outcome of a bill
is just about decided. The time to work with legislatures is prior to hearings.
Ø Summer Recap
ü
It was a very busy summer and we got a lot done, but due to
the noise controversy, projects were put on hold. LD1642 (An Act Relating to
Road Noise (for ALL motor Vehicles)) and LD1675 (An Act to Reduce Noise Caused
by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health (Inspection Sticker)) was a setback.
There were problems with Police roadblocks etc. that the legislature did not
intend to happen.
ü
Email from State Police did not identify which bill was
which and encouraged police to stop motorcycles by reiterating ALL laws that
pertain to motorcycles.
ü
LD 1675 meeting was held on July 28, 2010 in Augusta. The
intent was to demonstrate SAEJ2825 (Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure
Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles) and discuss options.
Harley-Davidson of Milwaukee brought testing equipment and demonstrated use of
meters on several motorcycles. The actual test results were skewed due to
ambient noise and surroundings (about 4-6 dba, which is significant) but the
idea of the mechanics of how to conduct the test was conveyed. The Hot Rod
Association seemed to look favorably on setting a standard.
ü
Motorcycles can be tested at a few sites around the state
(i.e. Ray Simmons shop).
ü
(Several opinions were voiced: Adopting the standard was not
appropriate at this time due to funding issues; if the police want a bike to
fail the test, it will; Inspection stations may be required to use the test
during motorcycle inspection and may be shelved after a time.)
ü
After the meeting, test equipment was taken to Blouins
Suzuki and their bikes were tested. The test was conducted on the showroom
floor, which negated the 8’ clear surroundings requirement, so they were
invalid.
ü
Presently, other vehicle drivers have the option to have
their vehicles tested separately at designated testing stations and bring the
results to court, but motorcycles do not.
ü
The next meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2010 to
discuss the use of EPA standards.
ü
State law will not allow a sticker to be placed on the
license plate, which was brought up at the hearings. The point was made that if
placed on the license plate, when the bike was sold, the plate transfers with
the owner and the inspection sticker would also transfer to a different bike.
ü
Also requiring proof of inspection prior to registration
would require law changes and the legislature did not want to go there.
ü
The result of LD1675, which originally was voted 7 to 3 to
put a sticker on the front forks, was later revisited and passed to place an
inspection sticker on the rear of the motorcycle “…on a mounting place that
must be securely fastened to the motorcycle frame or similar integral component
of the motorcycle or on a rear fender or similar frame or integral body part of
the motorcycle and must be located so that it is completely and clearly visible
from the rear of the motorcycle and may not be affixed to the registration
plate.”
ü
The legislature had no choice but to pass “something” since
statistics show, about 40% of motorcycles in the state of Maine are NOT
inspected.
ü
LD1642 meeting was held on August 5, 2010 in Cumberland.
There was a discussion of the bill and effects of the bill. Some homeowner
groups said the noticed less noise since the passage of the bill. The decision
was made to continue to educate the public on noise for ALL vehicles. No other
meetings are scheduled.
ü
The point was made that the MMPAC or UBM did NOT “sign off”
on any changes in the law.
Ø Comments
ü
Citizens
against Maine's Revised Exhaust Law (CAMREL) was present and said they were at
the PAC meeting to obtain information to provide to their membership.
ü
Also
attending were a representative from the Maine Biker Network and Fire and Iron.
Ø
Candidate Survey
ü
The
Candidate Survey is an extensive process that is sent to all State and Local
political candidates. The result of the survey can be found on the MMPAC web
site (www.mmpac-usa.org or on the UBM website (www.ubm-usa.org).
Ø
Educational Seminars
ü
Katie
Languet will conduct a series of seminars aimed at Education on laws affecting
motorcyclists as well as Motorcycle Safety. This is a coordinated effort
between the UBM Safety and Education and the MMPAC. There will be 3 seminars
and are open to anyone who has an interest in what is gong on in the motorcycle
community. All seminars will be held at 7pm.
ü
October 4,
2010, Bentley’s in Arundal.
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October 11,
2010, City Side Restaurant in North Brewer Shopping Plaza in Brewer.
ü
October 21,
2010, VFW in Winslow.
Ø
Looking For Upcoming Legislation
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Go to the
Advance Notice of Public Hearings (ANPH) web site at:
ü
http://www.state.me.us/legis/senate/Documents/hearing/ANPHFrame.htm
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You can get on their email list by placing your email
address in the box below “Join the
Maine Senate ANPH Mailing List”. You will receive an email letting you know
about what is coming up in the legislature. Many bill of interest will come
under the Transportation Committee, but you may be interested in other bills as
well.
Ø Arms Length
ü
The UBM and MMPAC are 2 separate organizations and it is
important to not relate the two organizations to prove the UBM does not control
the PAC.
ü
Many organizations have lobby groups and they hire
lobbyists.
ü
Motorcycle Rights Organizations (MRO) are not widely known
until something happens that affect them.
Ø Possible Upcoming Legislation
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Antique motorcycles should be exempt from inspections.
ü
Some groups are rumored to want to repeal the noise law.
Ø Broader Base
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The PAC needs more financial support. We need groups who are
willing to help due to interest in motorcycle rights.
ü
HOG can not support PAC’s
Ø Board of Directors
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A proposition was introduced to form a Board of Directors
MMPAC ORGANIZATION CHART
(Board of Directors)
Responsibilities:
Chairman
Chair
all MMPAC meetings.
Work
with Board of Directors to formulate a plan for legislative actions.
Co-Chairman
Work
with Chairman on all matters pertaining to the MMPAC.
Maintain
good order and discipline at MMPAC meetings.
Ensure
meeting agenda is kept on track.
Treasurer:
Maintain
accurate records of all funds received and paid out.
Provide
an account of MMPAC funds at each monthly meeting.
Secretary;
Create
and post a meeting agenda not later than the Friday before a MMPAC meeting
Record
MMPAC meeting minutes and distribute to MMPAC members and UBM Board of
Directors and County Directors.
Maintain
current minutes and written information pertaining to legislation.
ü
Since there are 4 members, we would need a tie breaker vote.
It was suggested either the Chairman abstain from vote unless it is a tie, then
the Chairman would have the tie breaking vote or a fifth member be included
called a Facilitator.
ü
Responsibilities are not firm; attendees are asked to
consider this and suggest changes/additions to the responsibilities.
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We will vote on this at the next MMPAC meeting.
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We have never had an election.
ü
The PAC is registered with the Maine State Ethics Board (6
people have to be listed as key people).
Ø Miscellaneous
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The MMPAC mission statement is located on the MMPAC web
site.
Ø Adjourn
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The meeting was adjourned at 3pm.
ü
The next MMPAC meeting will be held at City Side Restaurant
and Banquet Hall, 393 North Main Street in Brewer at 1pm on October 17, 2010.
Lunch can be purchased during the meeting.