Michigan Lawmakers could start a dreadful trend . . .

[XRpredator]

From RacerX online

Michigan Motocross is Under Fire
State Senate bill could regulate motocross
By Davey Coombs 09/23/04

You’re not going to believe this, but a Michigan Senator named Mark Schauer (D) recently introduced a bill that creates a new act entitled the “Motorcycle Racing Regulation Act.” According to a state government website, Senate Bill 1348 (as introduced) “requires that motorcycle racetracks be licensed by the Department of Labor & Economic Growth. A non-refundable $50 application fee is required and the licensee must also pay a $50 licensee fee at the time of application. The license fee is refundable if the application is denied. A racetrack license is issued for a period of 4 years. The license must be displayed at the racetrack entrance.”

Furthermore: “The department director is required to promulgate rules to establish standards for the conduct of races, participant and spectator safety, and the administration and enforcement of the act. The bill provides for interim standards until the rules are adopted. These are the 2003 American Motorcyclist Association Sports Rules Governing Pro AM, Standard, ATV and Youth Competition and the 2003 AMA/NATC Supplemental Riding Rules for National Championship Observed Trials Events. These standards are adopted by reference in the bill.

“The bill provides for an administrative fine of not more than $250 for a first violation during a single calendar year, not more than $500 for a second violation, and not more than $1,000 for a third or subsequent violation of the act or rules,” it says. “A license may be suspended for 30 days for an egregious violation. An administrative hearing is required before imposition of a fine. Operating a racetrack without a license is classified as a misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500, or both. A person guilty of operating a racetrack without a license is also subject to paying the cost of prosecution.”

Amy Ritchie of Red Bud Track ’N Trail, the largest and best-known motocross track in Michigan, has already contacted her district senator, Ron Jelinek (R), to express her concerns, “Specifically that over-legislating our sport could have a negative impact,” she explained. She also has contacted the American Motorcyclist Association.

This link gives a summary of the bill: http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-10573_11549-100808--,00.html

From this link you can click Bills, then search the bill number (1348) and see it in its entirety: www.michiganlegislature.org.

 

[jeffd]

And it comes as no surprise that the bill was introduced by a friggin' damnocrat. :think:

They should just change their name to the United Nations Socialist Party or something more fitting because the way I see it the Democratic party has very little to do with domocracy these days. :|

Yeah, this is just what we need... more gov't intervention.

WRITE YOUR SENATOR TODAY!

Levin, Carl - (D - MI) Class II
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Stabenow, Debbie - (D - MI) Class I
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm

Thanks for the post Senior Pred.

 

[Ol'89r]

They should just change their name to the United Nations Socialist Party or something more fitting because the way I see it the Democratic party has very little to do with domocracy these days. :|

Yeah, this is just what we need... more gov't intervention.

WRITE YOUR SENATOR TODAY!

Levin, Carl - (D - MI) Class II
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Stabenow, Debbie - (D - MI) Class I
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm

Thanks for the post Senior Pred.

I'll second that Jeff. :cool: Man, this crap just never ends. :bang: :|

Ol'89r
"The world's a dangerous place to live. Not because of the people that are evil, but because of the people that don't do anything about it." Albert Einstein.

 

[mtk]

More importantly, think about this kind of thing before you vote in November.

 

[Uchytil]

:ugg: Bummer. Any of ya'll fella MI riders here about this, eh? My local track won't fair too well for sure. And, If the other states jump onboard it'll mushroom probably. Time to VOTE!

 

[jaction125]

If this passes I bet ya can wave bye-bye to alot of private practice tracks.....

 

[MXGirl230]

Phil and I are definitely writing in. Having some stupid bill like that isn't going to go over well. Fortyplus, what track are you near?
The department director is required to promulgate rules to establish standards for the conduct of races, participant and spectator safety, and the administration and enforcement of the act. -(Taken from the Michigan.gov web page on the subject..)
Don't all of the tracks all ready have rules posted for rules of conduct?
Spectator Safety? Most of the tracks have a fence around the track itself. And participants are more than aware of safety, that's why we sign a waiver...Most of these people have probably not even been to a MX race or any type of motorcycle race...
What's next???
Jennifer Granholm wanted to take away the Motorcycle Safety courses a couple of years ago. "To cut expenses"..or something like that. I can't remember exactly... Aren't there more important things to worry about? Like Kent County school teachers possibly going on strike? The big factories moving out of the country? (or downsizing)
Why are people so against motorcycles?

 

[Uchytil]

Mi Tracks

MXGirl230, My sons and I mostly ride at Victory Lane (the ex-Moreland track) just west of GR. There's a race this weekend one of the boys will be in. Anyway, the track has gone sorta downhill since the new owners took over and I think this would send them over the edge. It's about 1 & 1/2 hours away but always open for practice. :yeehaw: Like you said all laws are presently covered and the owners are paying taxes on earnings. This is just another scheme to milk more dough and over regulate something. It's a shame really.
BTW, congrats on your recent marriage (I've been with the same girl for 25 years and still got the flame!).