New law requiring helmets in california

[NIKAL]

Originally Posted by NIKAL

Called Cook's Capitol office. They are hoping to have a bill number later today or Monday. The lady said the two bills they were hoping to attach this to were already on the Assembly floor. They have another bill they are going to attach this too, but wont know the number until then.

Was told that this has already been fast tracked and as soon as it is attached to the bill, it will be on the Assembly floor for a vote. So they still dont see it being an issue before the end of the month.


I have told them we are starting to feel this is all a stall tactic. I was assured this is no stall tactic. The lady said she hoped another e-mail would be going out later today or maybe over the weekend. She said even though our offices are closed on weekend's that they have still been working. This just happens this time of year.

I then called Cook's main office and was told for the most part the same thing. Except this guy did not know or say anything about a new e-mail going out today or over the weekend. He said he hopped they would have the bill number early next week and at that time a e-mail would go out with the new bill number.


Stay on these guys!!! Without that new bill number it is hard to call the other Rep's and tell them to support Paul Cook's amendments as we dont have a number to reference. Almost every other office I have called as asked for the new bill number. Then told me to call back when I have one.

Here is the latest e-mail from Cook's office. I have to give them credit. They said they should have a new e-mail released today or over the weekend.

Second Update on the AB 1595 Fix

I just wanted to give everyone an update and a timeline for the AB 1595 fix. We were able to secure a bill to use as a vehicle for fixing AB 1595 this week. The new bill will become eligible for amendments on Tuesday, so the amended language should be in print and available for you to read online on Wednesday (August 22).
I'll send out an update to everyone with a bill number and a link to where you can read the language of the fix on Wednesday. My office has worked with the Transportation committees in the Senate and Assembly and I believe they will waive holding a hearing on the bill. This means that it will be voted on directly on the Senate floor, possibly as early as next Friday. Following that vote, it will move over to the Assembly where it will be voted on sometime during the final week of session (The week of August 27-31). From there it will move on to the Governor for signature.
I want to thank all of you again for your input so far and I'll keep you all in the loop as the fix moves forward.
Sincerely,
Assemblyman Paul Cook
65th Assembly District

[Flyingbryan]

The problem is they are still going to require helmets.

I almost always wear a helmet but for people that bought a SxS and added back seat to do slow trail riding I don't see that the government should have the right to say you have to buy a jeep without a roll bar to go down the same trail when they have one or two small kids that are too young for a helmet.

As far as the helmet part I think there should be a speed part to the law. Maybe 25 MPH. The Can Am Commander already has a key that when used will limit the speed to 25 MPH. They also have one that limits the speed to 15 MPH but that would be unrealistic to go that slow down a 10 mile trail.

And yes I have been making calls, thanks for the phone numbers. But for what ever reason i have not been getting the the emails from Cooks office. Guess I need to shake them up.

Bryan

[NIKAL]

Good Morning! Keep the calls going. Ask to be put on Cook's AB 1595 e-mail list if your not already.

BTW as it looks to stand Cook's amendments will keep the helmet part of the bill. But with some new found info it might be easier to fight this helmet law. One could argue that UTV owners are being singled out and our rights are being wrongly taken away.

Per the BLM website it clearly states that only ATV's require helmets and that motorcycles do not require them, but suggest that riders wear them. (CVC 38505.)

So in short you can ride a motorcycle in the dunes or in any part of the Imperial Valley desert areas without a helmet, yet a vehicle built by the manufactures with a roll cage, seat belts and side protection nets must wear helmets.

This should be good info for the legal teams to bring to the attention of lawmakers, that mandating helmets in in UTV's and not motorcycles is just stupid.

BLM.Gov OHVS website, Imperial Sand Dunes FAQ
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcen...da.html#helmet


When you call Cook's office or any other Rep's office ask them why Motorcycles are not required off-road, yet ATV's are and now they are wanting UTV's to hear helmets? Ask them how does that make sense?

[Jeff Knoll]

I think its important to again bring up the fact that the CPSC is the real villain in this. There are going to be ramifications for any change in this legislation that may not be what the industry (meaning all of us) wants to see.

I have been trying to reach an attorney for ROHVA through my contacts to find out what the CPSC might be doing with changes to AB1595. I understand that a final determination was scheduled on the lead ban, but the CPSC held it over to include when they discussed the UTV safety standards. Not sure when that will take place, but this week is NOVAC in Montana so I doubt its this week.

From what I gather tomorrow we are expected to see the written language of a bill to correct the seating issue. Transportation has agreed to help stream line the process so it gets through before recess. Helmets are not going away.

I am still working on a face to face with Cook. His staff is very helpful but the Assemblyman is extremely busy with his campaign in full swing. I am currently in Cooks district so I will eventually get my meeting.

Soap box time.
No matter what association you support you have to understand that the few can not do the work for everyone. NIKAL has spent a ton of time carrying this ball. Don't just assume that he will always do it, don't assume someone will always do this stuff for you.

Landuse activism is a fickle thing. It burns you out fast. This is why OHV groups often lose, we don't have a legion of staff that works on it full time and are trained in this stuff.

There is a title wave of issues facing OHV users.

Thanks NIKAL for staying on point. we need more like you to defend our sport with action.

[JoeyD23]

Thank you to all of you who continue to fight this battle!!!

[Jeff Knoll]

Small update, I have seen a copy of the new law, but rumor is it might be Thursday until we see a hard copy. I will disseminate and post the info later this afternoon. 10,000 foot level view is that feet on floor is gone. Provision to kick seat arrangement down the road. This gives an open door to changes in the next session by an organized group.

I still have very large concerns over if this change will satisfy the CPSC. I will not have answers until later this week on the subject.

Rushing this through IMHO means we might end up with subjective language. The OHV division is also interested in your concerns, and have set up an email address.

ohvinfo@parks.ca.gov

Subject line AB1595

I suggest everyone send a positive email with concerns to this address.

[JoeyD23]

Thanks for the insight Jeff!!

[Rusty5150]

Email sent.

[Rzrcsi]

e-mail sent

[Familyman]

Originally Posted by Jeff Knoll

Small update, I have seen a copy of the new law, but rumor is it might be Thursday until we see a hard copy. I will disseminate and post the info later this afternoon. 10,000 foot level view is that feet on floor is gone. Provision to kick seat arrangement down the road. This gives an open door to changes in the next session by an organized group.

I still have very large concerns over if this change will satisfy the CPSC. I will not have answers until later this week on the subject.

Rushing this through IMHO means we might end up with subjective language. The OHV division is also interested in your concerns, and have set up an email address.

ohvinfo@parks.ca.gov

Subject line AB1595

I suggest everyone send a positive email with concerns to this address.

Thanks Jeff. I hope you don't mind but I Quoted your post on rzr forum too.