Traci,
Sorry to take so long to reply. To answer your questions, I had to consult Kasey Russell, WVCC Executive Director and lobbyist. She explained to me that Sen. Bob Beach introduced SB 608 to the Senate as a fall back in case HB 4304 didn't make it out of the House Judiciary Committee. HB 4304 did make it out of Judiciary so SB 608 is dormant.
We should be contacting House delegates and encouraging them to support HB 4304. I haven't done this yet because I still don't have the amended bill and do not know EXACTLY what it says. Kasey doesn't have it either but she's trying to get it and will send it to me. I called Barbara Fleischauer to get a copy but could only leave a voice message.
Under the State Constitution, a bill is to be read three times. The first reading of the bill is the information stage and alerts membership that the bill will be considered. On second reading, members vote on the committee’s amendment(s) and the amendment(s) individual legislators have proposed to the bill. The vote on passage of the bill takes place on third reading.
I suppose the bill could have its first reading by the house tomorrow; second reading Thursday and third reading and vote on Friday.
Kasey said the deadline for bills to crossover from the House to the Senate is next Tuesday, 2/25. I believe the last day of the session is March 8. Much can happen to the bill in that time.
As soon as I get the amended bill, I'll send it out to the BB and others that I've asked to contact their delegates.
Frank
On Feb 19, 2014, at 9:52 AM, Traci Knabenshue wrote:
So do you recommend that we call all the legislators on this committee in support of the bill?
Also, I see it’s not listed on the committee’s agenda for February 20th. Aren’t we getting close to the end of the session? When we call should we state that we’d like to see it be voted on this session?
Traci
From: bikeboard-bounces@bikemorgantown.com [mailto:bikeboard-bounces@bikemorgantown.com] On Behalf Of Frank Gmeindl
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 9:31 PM
To: Jonathan Rosenbaum
Cc: Bicycle Board
Subject: Re: [Bikeboard] H.B. 4304
I've been told that the bill was amended in the house judiciary subcommittee before it was moved to Judiciary. The bill at the link that you provided is the bill before amendment. I've been told that instead of repealing 17C-11-5 (a) that requires bicyclists to ride as far to the right as practicable, the subcommittee retained the requirement but added a set of exceptions. I've been told that the subcommittee used language that Florida uses. Here's what Florida has
Florida 316.2065 Bicycle regulations.
(5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a "substandard-width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.
I have not been able to get the amended bill. If you get it, I'd appreciate your sending it to me or telling me how I can get it.
On Feb 18, 2014, at 8:43 PM, Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote:
Dear Judiciary Subcommittee Delegates,
I understand that an exemption from H.B. 4304 has been requested for the Coalfields Expressway roads. Are the Coalfields Expressway roads exempt from the current 17C-7-3? If not, there's no reason to exempt them from the proposed amended 17C-7-3. They both require a vehicle to "...pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle". How do coal trucks pass farm tractors, school buses, highway maintenance equipment and other slow moving vehicles on the Coalfields Expressway Roads? Just run them over?
Frank D. Gmeindl
LCI #1703
491 Wilson Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26501
304-376-0446
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles
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