An Important Link Between Us All ABATE of FLORIDA, Inc. · ABATE of Florida Accomplishments: ABATE was the driving force behind the changes in Florida’s Helmet Law. Florida Motorcyclists,

Volume 38 January/February 2019 Issue 1

ABATE of FLORIDA, Inc.ABATE of FLORIDA, Inc.An Important Link Between Us AllAn Important Link Between Us All

MEMBER OF NCOM

Dedicated to Freedom of the Road Let Those Who Ride Decide

MEMBER OF MRF

NEXT STATE MEETING February 9, 2019, Ocala, FLHosted by Forest Chapter

Photo Source: i.pinimg.com/originals/97/34/d9/9734d921995494817c80209a0b027518.jpg

Page 2 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Jan/Feb 2019

ABATE OF FLORIDA IS A MEMBER OF NCOM

• 110 Offices Throughout North America• Free Legal Consultation• No Recovery = No Fee• We Make House Calls• ATTORNEYS in Every State and Province who Ride• No Fee on Motorcycle Damage Recovery• Also Auto Accidents

Not Just ONE AttorneyThe AIM Team to Help YOU

Law Offices of RICHARD M. LESTER Founder, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists

24 Hours - Toll Free (800) 531-2424

(800) ON-A-BIKE

Visit us on the web at www.onabike.comAIM 3215-A

ATTENTION ABATE OF FLORIDA MEMBERS: Our nationwide network of A.I.M. Attorneys donate a significant portion of their legal fees from motorcycle accident settlements back into motorcycling by being the sole financial sponsor of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists.

Check us out! Ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Hiring a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Also ask the next biker you see about us. IPHONE/ANDROID USERS

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW SMARTPHONE APP

Affiliated Florida Offices to Serve You

The submission deadline for all materialintended for publication in the Masterlink is the

bi-monthly State meetings.

DISCLAIMERMasterlink is the official publication of ABATE ofFlorida, Inc. and accepts no responsibility for the

comments or opinions contained in this publication.

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING AND RIDING.DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE

FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE

OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL,

OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. WWW.800HELPFLA.COM 1-800-435-7352

EDITORIAL GUIDELINESYou are encouraged to submit letters about ABATE related

events, stories, articles, photographs, poems, commentaries etc.

All items become the property of ABATE of Florida, Inc.Please make items print ready. Leave at least 1/2” border on all sides.

Please do not submit slanderous or accusing letters, profanity or nudity.

ABATE of FLORIDA INC. will not accept any advertising thatdiscriminates against any type of motorcyclist.

AMERICAN BIKERS AIMING TOWARD EDUCATIONA BROTHERHOOD AGAINST TOTALITARIAN ENACTMENTS

ADVERTISING RATES (PER ISSUE)Full page $79.87 Quarter Page $33.44

Half page $53.25 Business Card $16.05All rates show sales tax.

Those that advertise for one consecutive year inthe Masterlink (6 issues) will receive one

advertisement of equal value FREE.Full payment must accompany ad copy and form. All ads must

be camera ready. Advertisers will receive one copy of eachissue of Masterlink in which their advertisement appears.

Non-ABATE event flyers are subject to Masterlink’s advertising rates.As a courtesy there is no charge for benefit flyers.

Non-ABATE flyers are subject to space availability.

ABATE of Florida, Inc. reserves the right to accept or rejectany advertiser at the discretion of the State Board of Directors.

GOALS AND PURPOSES OF ABATE• To print a newsletter to keep all bikers informed with

regard to legislative actions and events around thestate and throughout the country

• To become a powerful and viable political force inlegislative matters concerning all motorcyclists rights

• To provide a lobbyist to represent ABATE OFFLORIDA, INC. on the state and national level

• To promote voter registration and motivate membersto write their legislators

• To promote safe riding habits without infringing onindividual rights

• To educate the public about motorcycle awareness

IDENTIFICATION STATEMENTThe Masterlink is the state publication of ABATE of Florida, Inc.

Published bi-monthly (six times a year).ABATE of Florida, Inc.

PO Box 2520DeLand, Florida 32721-2520

www.abateflorida.com ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 3

STATE MEETINGS 2019 February 9, 2019 Forest April 14, 2019 Tallahassee June 8, 2019 Vintage August 10, 2019 Southeast October 12, 2019 Gulf Coast December 14, 2019 Ocala

NEXT STATE MEETINGSaturday, February 9, 2019 - Ocala, FL

Hosted by Forest Chapter

SUBMISSION DEADLINEFlyers for chapter and benefit events taking place

during the months of Mar/Apr 2019 must be to the Masterlink Editor by the Feb 2019 State Meeting.

Be sure to provide a copy of all such flyers to each of the STATE BOD and the State Office Manager.

Thank you!

WEB SITES of INTERESTwww.hsmv.state.fl.us/www.leg.state.fl.us/

http://ama-cycle.org/legisltn/statewatch/fl.htmlwww.bikernet.comwww.aimncom.com

If you find a website that would be of interest to your fellow members please forward it to the Masterlink

ABATE of Florida Accomplishments:ABATE was the driving force behind the changes in Florida’s

Helmet Law. Florida Motorcyclists, over the age of 21 and who carry at least $10,000 medical insurance coverage now enjoy the

Freedom to Choose whether to wear a helmet or not.•

ABATE has developed & copyrighted “The Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Program” (MSAP). The program is

presented to non-motorcyclists to educate them on how to safely share the road with motorcycles. It is taught in local schools & to civic

organizations at no charge in the hope of reducing motorcycle accidents and deaths through education, not legislation.

•ABATE has gained a positive and respected position in

Tallahassee. Because of our Lobbyist and Legislative efforts,State Representatives are aware of ABATE members and

our vigilant quest.•

ABATE reminds travelers everyday to “Look Twice Save a Life, Motorcycles are everywhere” through our billboard campaign.

TABLE OF CONTENTSPRESIDENTS LETTER................................................... 4

STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS....................................5

MINUTES......................................................................6-9

ARTICLE: Profiling Resolution Pass in Senate..............10

FEBRUARY STATE MEETING FLYER.........................11

TALLAHASSEE FLYER................................................12

LEGISLATIVE INFO................................................13-15

ARTICLE: Laws designed to curb cellphone use...........16

CHAPTER/EVENT FLYERS.........................................17

CHAPTER INFO.......................................................18-19

AD ORDER FORM/ADVERTISING RATES...............20

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION.....................................21

RIFLE DRAWING..........................................................22

www.abateflorida.com

Photo Source: motorcyclemarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cropped-New-Year-Ride-550x324


From the Desk of the PresidentThe December state meeting is now in the history books and I want to thank all the delegates who showed up and participated in the meeting. To the chapters who met Lake County’s challenge, the organization appreciates everyone who contributed to the cause. The drawing was also a big success so we will do it again starting in February for a December 2019 drawing.

Our traffic penalties bill in the House already has a bill number and today the Senate bill was placed in bill drafting and we should have a number shortly. Our request for safety money has been introduced and that means we are on our way for another session.

I have something to say about Abate of Florida, Inc. as far as what is really important. This is a motorcycle rights organization and all chapters are part of the whole. It seems we have been getting a few prima donnas in the chapters who think they run the chapters by their web sites. I want to remind you that a web site is a tool for information and does not decide how you do business and is not someone's personal property.

The next state meeting will be in Ocala hosted by Forest Chapter and then in April we ride to Tallahassee. Everyone needs to make plans to go on the ride to the Capitol. We have a new Governor and many new members of the legislature therefore we need to remind them who we are and what we stand for.

In less than two weeks it will be Christmas with the New Year coming in a week later. I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Ride Safe and Free!!!

Doc


STATE OFFICEABATE of Florida, Inc.PO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(386) 943-9610Fax: (850) [email protected]

STATE OFFICE ANNEXABATE of Florida, Inc.PO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(386) 943-9610Fax: (850) [email protected]

PRESIDENTJames “ Doc” ReichenbachPO Box 712Silver Springs, FL 34489(352) 625-6353Fax: (352) [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENTDarrin "Scribe" BrooksPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(239) 398-7145Fax: (850) [email protected]

SECRETARYShelly JohnstonPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(904) 405-4700Fax: (850) [email protected]

TREASURERDeborah HambyPO Box 530965Lake Park, FL 33403-0965(561) 847-5331Fax: (850) [email protected]

SGT. AT ARMSMarcus HotellingPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(321) 607-2516Fax: (850) [email protected]

PR/COMMUNICATIONSWilliam G. "Magneto" PrewittPO Box 2520DeLand, 32721-2520(954) 224-2159Fax: (850) [email protected]

MEMBERSHIPLaurie HanleyPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(239) 898-5168Fax: (850) [email protected]

MASTERLINK EDITORJoanne "Critter" NapoliPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(954) 850-5452 Fax: (850) [email protected]

LEGAL COUNSELVacantCall State President

LEGISLATIVE Darrin “Scribe” BrooksPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(239) 398-7145Fax: (850) [email protected]

PRODUCTSShayne HanleyPO Box 236Lehigh Acres, FL 33970-236(239) 560-2565(386) 943-9610 (Fax)[email protected]

DIRECTOR 0F SAFETY EDUCATIONVictor PiorkowskiPO Box 2520DeLand, FL 32721-2520(239) 823-6159Fax: (850) [email protected]

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE1-866-FLABATE (1-866-352-2283)Toll Free Inside Florida Only

WEB PROBLEMSJoanne "Critter" NapoliWilliam G. "Magneto" [email protected]

2018-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NEXT STATE MEETINGSaturday, February 9, 2019

SEE FLYER INSIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION


ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. Delegate Meeting Hosted by: Gator Alley Chapter, Saturday December 8, 2018CALLED TO ORDER AT: 2:08 p.m. by President James “Doc” Reichenbach after the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for our fallen brothers and sisters.

Present were: President James “Doc” Reichenbach, Vice President Darrin Brooks, Secretary Shelly Johnston, Treasurer Debbie Hamby, Sergeant-at-Arms Marcus Hotelling, State Office Brandy Westerfield, State Office Annex Elizabeth “Boots” Buchholz, Membership Laurie Hanley, PR/Communications William Prewitt, Safety Victor Piorkowski, Products Shayne Hanley, Asst Products Kim Hollan, Masterlink Joanne Napoli, Co-Webmasters William Prewitt and Joanne Napoli.

DELEGATE REPRESENTATIVES:Daytona Beach - Steve Fritze, Gene Lessig Estero River - Larry Peterson, Ward JacksonForest - Marion Shomer, Bill ShomerFreedom - ExcusedGator Alley - Denise Russo, John StevensGulf Coast - Brandy Westerfield, J.L. GibsonHillsborough - ExcusedLake - Will “Griz” Deaver, Vera DeaverLighthouse - Jo Brockman, Millard Porter

Palm Beach - Dan Henderson, Bill BlackPeace River - Bill Neal, Bill BirdPolk County - John McDermott, Dewey CainSeminole County - ExcusedSoutheast - Jon Viger, Marie BaxterSouthernmost - Bill Kelly, Sandy MacLarenSouthwest - Wayne Cerra, Jaime CerraTreasure Coast - Steve KliemischVintage - Charles Johnston, Sharon BalockiWest Coast - Excused

PRESIDENT: Doc Reichenbach: Some chapters have been working very hard to get new members. Special recognition to Southeast, just saw the figures since July. Also got an email saying how good the Palm Beach event was. It went off without a hitch, did well and was well attended. He appreciates what they did. We will discuss Tallahassee later. It’s still a mess from the hurricane. When we requested April 15 for our ride to the capital we received an email that it was not was not available. The Florida Highway Patrol has the whole weekend reserved. Three days ago we got another email that we now can have that date.

VICE PRESIDENT: Darrin "Scribe" Brooks: Welcome to my neck of the woods and my home chapter Gator Alley. Thank you for coming and supporting ABATE.

SECRETARY: Shelly Johnston: The August minutes need to be approved. Motion to approve made by Peace River, 2nd by Vintage and passed.

TREASURER: Deborah Hamby:Financials reports are in your packets. Chapter reports must be postmarked by the 5th of the month. If the State Treasurer does not receive your reports 5 days after the 5th your chapter will be donating $50 to ABATE of Florida, Inc. The State Treasurer and Membership trustee need your reports on time so they can do their jobs and get our tax filed. Chapters voted to have the reports postmarked by the 5th. Recognized Southeast for their donation.

SARGENT-AT-ARMS: Marcus Hotelling: Inventories were due today. If you did not submit them yet get them to Marcus and Brandy ASAP. Let people know when you are home from a ride and are safe or if someone is sick or in the hospital. We are a family and


will help any way we can.

STATE OFFICE: Brandy Westerfield and Ms. Boots: Ms. Boots - Paperwork must be submitted 10 days after an event or there is a $50.00 fee. Brandy - if you call her at the State office she will return your call within 24-48 hours depending on her schedule. You can also email her at [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP: Laurie Hanley: July - Most new members: Palm Beach Highest % of growth: VintageAugust - Most new members: Freedom Highest %of growth: Freedom and Estero RiverSeptember - Most new members: Southeast Highest % of growth-FreedomOctober - Most new members: Southeast Highest % of growth-Treasure CoastWe have a chapter that has done well with 105 new members since July and their numbers continue to rise. Congratulations to Southeast! Delinquent and deleted members are factored into the stats so your numbers can go down even if you get new members. Thank your membership person for what they do. Doc thanked Laurie for all she does, thanked Debbie also noting her bike broke down on the way to the meeting and she still managed to get here.

SAFETY DIRECTOR: Victor Piorkowski: After you do a safety booth you need to send in the report. Please print legibility and fill in number of attendees. These numbers are used to compile stats to give to Doc to take to Tallahassee. MSAP inventory forms will be on the website. Inventories are due by the end of the year. When you talk to businesses get them to donate to ABATE of Florida Safety and Education Inc. It is a C-3 organization and their donation is tax deductible. Patti has the form for contributions to the 501C3. We will order safety products with the donation money to the C3. Comment was made that the BOD for the C3was supposed to be changed when we elected new officers in June. Doc responded no, they are two separate entities and it is easier for Patti to handle the C3 since she helped create it. This enables Debbie to concentrate solely on ABATE of Florida, Inc. It was asked if we could have the C3 on the agenda-again. No because they a separate corporation. Doc can report separately on that. Doc met with 3 senators and 3 house reps from Marion County. He talked about the motorcycle training program, that we would like it under ABATE of Florida, Inc., that it should be under motorcyclists not under the state. They agreed, they are going to set an apt with the new governor to see if we can get it under our name. We’ve always wanted it in our name. Every year we fight to get the money, if we get the program the money would come to us. Some of our members would have to go to instructor training so they could run program. We would make the fees set for everybody, not different according to territory, mandatory so should be set fee. They used to pass everybody to get kickback but ABATE changed that.

PRODUCTS: Shayne “Velcro” Hanley: Having a Christmas sale today. Bumper stickers, lighters, State logo, earrings and a few life member shirts all reduced prices. Did find someone to engrave life member cards for $20. This is for a replacement card, not your original free card. Working on new ladies shirts. These will be on a preorder basis. Brandy has changed employers and Velcro has all new vendors.

PR/COMMUNICATIONS: William “Magneto” Prewitt: Eleven chapters who have Facebook pages have not made him an administrator. Doc wants the flyer for the Tallahassee run sent to every newspaper.


MASTERLINK: Joanne “Critter” Napoli:There are copies of the September-October and November-December Master links are up front. Many chapters are using copyrighted material and images in their newsletters. Make sure you give credit to the owner. We could get sued for using materials without permission (copyright infringement). The flyer for the ride to Tallahassee will be put on the front page of Masterlink.

WEBMASTER: Joanne “Critter” Napoli and William “Magneto” Prewitt:Keeping events page up to date with flyers we get from chapters. The flyer for the Tallahassee run will be up soon. Darrin will be sending a copy of the stiffer penalties bill. It will be put on the front page. If you have any ideas for the website let them know.

LEGISLATIVE: Darrin “Scribe” Brooks: Send postcard to legislators reminding them who we are. When we talk to our representatives in Tallahassee know the bill numbers. We have a bill already-HB71. He will get it out to us as soon as it comes out of bill writing. HB45 and S76 are the texting bills. Senate bill SB108 proposes to move concealed carry from the Dept. of Agriculture to the Dept. of Law Enforcement.

LOBBYIST: Doc Reichenbach: Last year’s bill was crap. They wanted motorcycles cut out. Rep. Stan McClain will do the bill this year, exactly like it was four years ago. Senator Baxby is doing the bill in the Senate. There is a good chance this will go through. There are a lot of freshman legislators, feels like it could be a good year. Pound the bills in your districts, he will pound them in Tallahassee. Motorcycle Safety money is already put in. There is no bill number yet. We asked for $300,000. The first thing we will do is buy $100,000 of safety products, update the safety video and do more radio ads. Last time we got safety money is the last time motorcycle deaths went down.

MRF : Their old lobbyist is working for P&G now. They have hired a lobbying firm from DC which is not devoting time to MRF.

AMA: No news from them.

NCOM: Orlando, May 9-12, 2019: This is the largest motorcycle rights convention in the US. ABATE of Florida, Inc. will have a seminar on our Safety Program. There will be a chapter officer seminar. Accommodations at the Double Tree Hotel across from Universal Studios Friday and Saturday only. Mention NCOM when making reservations.

TALLAHASSEE: As noted under the President report the ride is back on for Monday April 15.The State meeting is Sunday April 14. Remember we have a new Governor and a lot of new House and Senate members. We need our people to go see them as a show of faith. We need at least 10 people/bikes from each chapter on the ride to show our force. It’s for our rights. If we don’t fight for them we will lose them. We all need to vote-there all people lying all over Europe, Asia and Arlington who fought for our right to vote. We will have 2 flyers, one for the run and one for the State meeting. The first run in 1984 we had problems but when Doc became President he talked to capital officials and got us back in and we have had no problems since.


OLD BUSINESS: Billy Bird - we are rethinking the State party. Five star or regional parties may be more productive, better attended. We need more donations to help pay for the News Service of Florida. Debbie will reach out to the chapters. Lake County Challenge - Palm Beach, Forest, Vintage, Gator Alley, Peace River and Polk all raised money for the challenge. Congratulations to Polk for winning and thank you to the rest of the chapters who participated. Doc was moved deeply when the total raised was announced. The winners of the gun drawing for the rifle and shotgun were announced.

NEW BUSINESS: SloMo had an idea to do a petition for driver’s education in the schools. Say how many teenagers die in auto accidents each year. We want to save our kids, see less deaths. How many people die? We want safer roads for everyone. Maybe make it mandatory for anyone under age 18 in order to get their license. Drivers with reckless driving tickets should be required to attend high school night school and pay for driving course. Driver’s education should be a standard through all counties. Doc told SloMo to come out with a draft and we will get it out to the chapters. Doc told delegates to go back to chapters and get commitments to go to ride on the capital.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:Doc thanked Gator Alley for hosting the meeting, it is always great here, never a bad moment. The food was excellent, Charlie Brown trees were great. In August Doc proposed we find a central location for all State meetings. Marie asked if we could address that again. Doc told delegates to think about it and come to the next State meeting with an answer. Vintage: birthday party and chili cook-off January 26. Estero River: birthday bash December 15. Southeast: annual party January 20. Southernmost: chili cook-off January 27 mile marker 30

Silent auction, drawings and 50/50 which Monica won and gave back all but $20 to State.

The next State meeting is in Ocala on February 9, 2019 hosted by Forest

Motion to adjourn by and approved. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 5:06

Respectfully submitted by Shelly Johnston 1/11/2019

Edda Arce(Rifle)

Matt Podbielsky(Shotgun)

CongratulationsTo the

WINNERSof our

Christmas Drawing


PROFILING RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN U.S. SENATE

The United States Senate has approved the Motorcycle Profiling Resolution (Senate Resolution 154) without amendment by unanimous consent on Dec 11, addressing concerns of motorcyclists across the country regarding law enforcement discriminating against bikers in traffic stops, citations and arrests. This bipartisan and bicameral resolution (H.Res. 318 companion in the House) could provide a national solution to the discriminatory profiling of motorcyclists over mode of transportation or style of dress in enforcing the law. Several states have considered bills to prohibit police from profiling motorcyclists, and Washington became the first state to pass such an anti-profiling law in 2011, followed by Maryland in 2016. The two companion measures in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, which are nonbinding and do not have the force of law, seek to curb profiling of motorcycle riders at the federal level by “Promoting awareness of motorcycle profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.”

S.Res. 154 and H.Res. 318 also “urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcycle profiling in written policies and training materials.” U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) spearheaded the measure in the Senate, and recently tweeted; “Pleased the Senate passed S.Res. 154 to encourage states to take steps to prevent profiling of #motorcycle riders. Hopefully this will lead to more efforts to raise awareness of and address motorcycle profiling.”

As defined by the Congressional resolutions, “motorcycle profiling” means “the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle related apparel as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without legal basis under the Constitution of the United States.” Concerned riders are now urged to contact their Congressional delegations in the U.S. House of Representatives and encourage them to join their Senate colleagues by likewise passing House Resolution 318.

AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE / [email protected], Dec 14, 2018 @ 11:33 PM


ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. State Meeting Saturday, February 9, 2019 Board Meeting @ 12:00 PM

Delegates Meeting @ 2:00 PM

Held at the Marion County Association of Realtors 3105 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL 34470

LODGING Sun Plaza Motel

5461 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488 Book Room by phone, by FEB 1

(352) 236-2343 Speak to: Jeff, Kay, or Amy

$89 for double or $79 for single

CAMPING Silver Springs State Park

1425 NE 58th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 (800) 326-3521

For more info contact John @ 352-318-6514 or forest. [email protected]

“ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE

DRINKING AND RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX

PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGIS-TRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY

BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CON-SUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE

WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOM-

MENDATION BY THE STATE. WWW.800HELPFLA.COM 1-800-435-7352”

MEMBERSHIP/SAFETY INFORMATION AVAILABLE

From I-75, Exit 354, East on Hwy 27 to N. Pine St. Cross Pine and continue East on Bonnie Heath Blvd to destination.


ABATE of Florida, Inc.22nd ANNUAL

FREEDOM RIGHTS RALLY

MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2019RIDE TO THE STATE CAPITOL

Super 8 Monticello140 Pafford Road

Monticello, FL 32336850-997-8888

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING AND RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRA-TION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. WWW.800HELPFLA.COM 1-800-435-7352.

Kickstands up at 9:00am - Behind the Super 8 in Monticello

Membership & Safety Information Available


2019 BILLS OF INTERESTHB 71: Traffic OffensesGENERAL BILL by McClainTraffic Offenses; Provides criminal penalties for person who commits moving violation that causes serious bodily injury to or death of vulnerable road user; requires person to pay specified fine, serve minimum period of house arrest, & attend driver improvement course; requires court to revoke person's driver license for minimum specified period; defines "vulnerable road user".Effective Date: 7/1/2019Last Action: 1/3/2019 House - Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee; Criminal Justice Subcommittee; State Affairs Committee (See Pg 15 for Committee Members)Related bills – SB 158

SB 158: Traffic OffensesGENERAL BILL by BaxleyTraffic Offenses; Citing this act as the "Vulnerable Road User Act"; providing criminal penalties for a person who commits a moving violation that causes serious bodily injury to, or causes the death of, a vulnerable road user; requiring that the person pay a specified fine, serve a minimum period of house arrest, and attend a driver improvement course; requiring that the court revoke the person’s driver license for a minimum specified period, etc.Effective Date: 7/1/2019Last Action: 11/10/2019 Senate - Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Appropriations (See Pg 15 for Committee Members)Related bills – HB 71

HB 45: Use of Wireless Communications Devices While DrivingGENERAL BILL by SlosbergUse of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving; Revises short title & legislative intent; prohibits operation of motor vehicle while holding or touching wireless communications device; provides exceptions; requires law enforcement officer to record certain information on citation; requires law enforcement agencies to provide such information to DHSMV; requires report to Governor & Legislature; removes requirement that enforcement be accomplished only as secondary action.Effective Date: 10/1/2019Last Action: 11/26/2018 House – FiledRelated bills – HB 107 & SB 76

HB 107: Use of Wireless Communications Devices while DrivingGENERAL BILL by ToledoUse of Wireless Communications Devices while Driving; Revises short title & legislative intent; prohibits person from operating motor vehicle while using wireless communications device for purpose of nonvoice or voice interpersonal communication; redefines term "wireless communications device" to include voice communications; requires deposit of fines into Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund; removes provision requiring that enforcement be accomplished only as secondary action.Effective Date: 10/1/2019Last Action: 12/17/2018 House – FiledRelated bills – HB 45 & SB 76

Continued on Page 14


SB 76: Use of Wireless Communications Devices While DrivingGENERAL BILL by SimpsonUse of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving; Creating the "Florida Ban on Wireless Communications Devices While Driving Law"; prohibiting a person from operating a motor vehicle while listening or talking on a wireless communications device for the purpose of voice interpersonal communication; deleting a provision requiring that enforcement of this section be accomplished only as a secondary action, etc.Effective Date: 10/1/2019 Last Action: 12/13/2018 Senate – Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Innovation, Industry, and Technology; Judiciary; RulesRelated bills – HB 45 & HB 107

SB 108: Regulation of Concealed Weapons LicensesGENERAL BILL by Book; (CO-INTRODUCERS) StewartRegulation of Concealed Weapons Licenses; Transferring the concealed weapons licensing program of the Division of Licensing of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Department of Law Enforcement by a type two transfer; creating the Concealed Weapons Licensing Program in the Department of Law Enforcement; redesignating the Department of Law Enforcement as the entity responsible for regulating, and collecting payments and fees from, concealed weapons licensing, etc.Effective Date: 1/1/2020 Last Action: 11/29/2018 Senate - FiledRelated bills – None at this time

HB 2001: Abate of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness ProgramAPPROPRIATIONS PROJECT by McClainAbate of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program; Provides an appropriation for the Abate of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program. APPROPRIATION: $300,000.00Effective Date: 7/1/2019 Last Action: 1/4/2019 House - FiledRelated bills – None at this time

2019 BILLS OF INTEREST Continued from Page 13

Hey Everyone,Doc has arranged for Rep. Stan McClain to sponsor a separate bill for attaching our motorcycle safety money to the budget.HB 2001 has been filed and I will let you know when it gets scheduled to committees.Until then, go ahead and start talking to your Legislators about HB 2001 and the importance that ABATE of Florida, Inc. can do with the money to increase motorcycle awareness and decrease motorcyclists deaths. Let them know that unlike other groups getting money from the State, the money we are requesting is OUR money that only WE have paid in. And most importantly, 100% of the money is spent on safety awareness for the public.More info to come....

A Message from Darrin "Scribe" Brooks State VP and State Legislative Trustee


HB 71 Traffic Offenses Committee Assignments1st - Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee

Rep. Brad Drake - ChairRep. Colleen Burton - Vice ChairAltman, Thad [R] Caruso, Michael A. "Mike" [R] Driskell, Fentrice [D] Hart, Dianne "Ms Dee" [D] Hattersley, Adam Roger [D] McClain, Stan [R] ***Sponsor of HB 71***Overdorf, Tobin Rogers "Toby" [R] Payne, Bobby [R] Polsky, Tina Scott [D] Ponder, Mel [R] Roth, Rick [R] Stone, Charlie [R] Thompson, Geraldine F. "Geri" [D]

2nd - Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Rep. James Grant - ChairRep. Stan McClain - Vice Chair ***Sponsor of HB 71***Bush III, Dr. James [D] Donalds, Byron [R] Eagle, Dane [R] Fernandez-Barquin, Juan Alfonso [R] Fitzenhagen, Heather [R] Gottlieb, Michael "Mike" [D] Grieco, Michael "Mike" [D] Hattersley, Adam Roger [D] Roach, Spencer [R] Robinson , Jr., William Cloud "Will" [R] Sabatini, Anthony [R] Santiago, David [R] Webb, Jennifer Necole [D]

3rd - State Affairs Committee

Rep. Blaise Ingoglia - ChairRep. Scott Plankton - Vice ChairClemons, Sr., Charles Wesley "Chuck" [R] DiCeglie, Nick [R] Drake, Brad [R] DuBose, Bobby B. [D] Good, Margaret [D] Grall, Erin [R] Hart, Dianne "Ms Dee" [D] Hattersley, Adam Roger [D] Latvala, Chris [R] McClain, Stan [R] ***Sponsor of HB 71***McClure, Lawrence [R] Newton, Wengay "Newt" [D] Payne, Bobby [R] Pigman, Cary [R] Polsky, Tina Scott [D] Raschein, Holly [R] Rodriguez, Anthony [R] Roth, Rick [R] Slosberg, Emily [D] Trumbull, Jay [R] Watson, Jr., Clovis [D] Zika, Ardian [R]

Please look this list over for members from your area and start contacting them now that HB 71 is scheduled to appear in their committee this session and we would greatly appreciate their support to pass HB 71. We are very fortunate that Rep. Stan McClain is a member of each of these committees.

SB 158 Traffic Offenses Committee Assignments1st - Infrastructure and Security Committee

Chair: Senator Tom Lee (R)Vice Chair: Senator Keith Perry (R)Senator Aaron Bean (R)Senator Janet Cruz (D)Senator Ed Hooper (R)Senator Travis Hutson (R)Senator Linda Stewart (D)Senator Annette Taddeo (D)

2nd - Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Chair: Senator Jeff Brandes (R)Vice Chair: Senator Randolph Bracy (D)Senator George B. Gainer (R)Senator Joe Gruters (R)Senator Gayle Harrell (R)Senator Keith Perry (R)Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson (D)Senator Annette Taddeo (D)

3rd - Appropriations

Chair: Senator Rob Bradley (R)Vice Chair: Senator Wilton Simpson (R)Senator Aaron Bean (R)Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R)Senator Lauren Book (D)Senator Jeff Brandes (R)Senator Oscar Braynon II (D)Senator Anitere Flores (R)Senator George B. Gainer (R)Senator Audrey Gibson (D)Senator Travis Hutson (R)Senator Tom Lee (R)Senator Debbie Mayfield (R)Senator Bill Montford (D)Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R)Senator Bobby Powell (D)Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson (D)Senator David Simmons (R)Senator Kelli Stargel (R)Senator Linda Stewart (D)Senator Perry E. Thurston, Jr. (D)

Please look this list over for members from your area and start contacting them now that SB 158 is scheduled to appear in their committee this session and we would greatly appreciate their support to pass SB 158.


Laws designed to ban or curb drivers' use of cell phones are saving motorcyclists' lives

December 5, 2018, Florida Atlantic University Laws to ban or curb drivers' use of cell phones and other handheld devices have greatly reduced the rate of fatalities for motorcyclists, according to a new study by faculty at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami.

The study's findings, recently published in Social Science & Medicine, show that states with moderate to strong bans have motorcycle fatality rates that differ by as much as 11 percent compared to states with no bans.

"In the case of motorcycles, these laws seem to be effective," said study co-author Gulcin Gumus, Ph.D., an associate professor in health administration in the Department of Management Programs at FAU's College of Business. "While it's not clear that these laws have had an impact on reducing the overall number of traffic fatalities, when we focus specifically on motorcycles, we find that these laws are having a major impact in reducing deaths among motorcycle riders. "

Motorcyclists account for a much higher proportion of traffic fatalities relative to the share of motorcycles among all motor vehicles and vehicle miles driven in the U.S. The study's authors obtained annual data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System on total and motorcycle-specific traffic fatalities for all 50 states during the period of 2005-2015. Those data were then merged with state-specific characteristics, texting/handheld device laws, as well as other traffic policies to estimate the effectiveness of strong, moderate and weak bans compared to no bans.

While automobile safety has greatly improved over the last several decades, bringing the overall fatality rates down with it, motorcycle fatality rates have not declined. Although research is mixed on the effectiveness of texting/handheld bans for overall traffic fatalities, the study's findings indicate that motorcyclists are at elevated risk of being a victim of distracted driving and thus could greatly benefit from these policies. This result is driven mainly by multiple-vehicle crashes (e.g., car hitting motorcycle) as opposed to single-vehicle crashes.

"Every day about nine Americans are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in traffic crashes that involve distracted drivers," said study co-author Michael T. French, professor of health economics in the Miami Business School's Department of Health Management and Policy and an avid motorcycle rider. "While our initial goal was to understand whether these laws save lives on the road, the broader application of our findings is even more powerful."

The researchers argue policy makers should consider strengthening texting/handheld bans along with their enforcement to improve safety and save lives, especially among motorcyclists.?

"We have a better appreciation for the range of policies across states and years, and what makes texting/handheld bans strong and effective, especially for motorcyclists," French said. "Hopefully these results will facilitate a more informed discussion between legislators, law enforcement officers, and the general public about distracted driving and traffic safety."

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-12-laws-curb-drivers-cell-motorcyclists.html



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An Important Link Between Us All ABATE of FLORIDA, Inc. · ABATE of Florida Accomplishments: ABATE was the driving force behind the changes in Florida’s Helmet Law. Florida Motorcyclists,