FBA Testifies in Support of SB 1918 Traffic Offenses

Regarding FBA’s appearance yesterday before the Senate Transportation Committee on SB 1918/HB 875, Robert Seidler sent the following link which provides the written and audio broadcast of WFSU about the story, including some FBA testimony.

The meeting began with Sen. Aronberg introducing an amendment to the bill to include bicyclists and pedestrians in the bill.  Thereafter, I was impressed by how Chairman Gardiner paid close attention to the bike/ped issues.  And, perhaps more importantly, the Committee voted 10-0 to approve the Bill.

Thereafter, we received word that the bill was waived out of some subsequent committees and it appears this one is headed for a floor vote in the Senate.  On the House side, it is doubtful if it will pass.  But, there are plans to offer this language as an amendment to other bills and pass it that way.

As a final observation, passage of this bill shows how unpredictable the Legislature can be, as well as the desirability of having a physical presence in Tallahassee.  When we began this year’s session, we didn’t even know this bill existed.  It certainly wasn’t on our agenda. Then, because Laura Hallam was personally in Tallahassee, speaking for the anti-texting bill, she met the ABATE lobbyist, he suggested a cooperation, and here we are.  If FBA had not had someone personally there, this bill would probably not mention cyclists or pedestrians at all.

Mike Lasche, FBA Legislative Committee Chairman