House passes ‘freedom from leg cramps' bill to allow WV motorcyclists to stand while driving
Motorcyclists would be able to stand up while operating their vehicle, according to a bill that passed the House of Delegates Wednesday.
'This is a freedom from leg cramps bill,' said Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, a co-sponsor of the legislation.
House Bill 2752 would allow riders to operate a motorcycle or moped while standing as long as the rider is facing forward with their feet on the pedals. It is currently banned under state law.
According to Phillips, citations have been issued for motorcyclists who weren't seated while driving.
The bill passed the House 80-17, but not before Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, criticized the GOP supermajority for what he said was another unnecessary piece of legislation this session.
'Another hard hitting piece of legislation here in the House of Delegates,' Fluharty said. 'If we lined up all the bills that did nothing for the state of West Virginia, Evel Knievel would struggle himself to make it over it. This is insane.'
Bill sponsor Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, said standing up would help motorcyclists with enhanced visibility, better balance and additional shock absorption on rough terrain. Motorcyclists are instructed to stand up in certain situations as part of their required instruction to obtain a motorcycle license, she said.
'This isn't the ability to do tricks or anything,' she said. 'This bill is necessary. We are seeking to match up our state law with what is given in the courses that everyone has to take.'
House members engaged in a lengthy debate Tuesday about a proposed bill amendment that would have also removed the helmet requirement for motorcyclists over age 21. Current state law requires all motorcyclists to wear protective headgear, regardless of age.
Several lawmakers in support of the amendment said it was 'a freedom' issue.
Del. Dave Foggin, R-Wood, sponsored the amendment, saying, 'It's about the personal choice for an adult to wear a helmet when they're riding a motorcycle.'
Other lawmakers said that the current law hurt the state's tourism industry since Ohio and Kentucky do not have a motorcycle helmet requirement.
The House rejected the amendment after hearing concerns from some lawmakers about rider safety.
'It saves lives,' said Del. John Paul Hott, R-Grant.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
3 minutes ago
- The Hill
Democrats press DHS for ‘Alligator Alcatraz' information
Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more information about how the Trump administration teamed up with the state of Florida to create a controversial detention facility for migrants in the middle of the Everglades. 'Brushing aside concerns from human rights watchdogs, environmentalist groups, and Tribal nations, [DHS] has greenlit the construction of this expansive detention facility that may violate detained individuals' human rights, jeopardize public and environmental health and violate federal law,' House and Senate Democrats wrote in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem dated Wednesday. The detention facility, dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz,' opened in early July to house arrested migrants awaiting deportation. It was created through a state and federal partnership, with Florida officials leading oversight and construction, with DHS footing the bill. President Trump toured the facility when it opened, along with Noem. A federal judge last week temporarily halted expansion of the site after tribal and environmental groups filed a lawsuit over potential damage to wetlands. Located just south of Miami, Alligator Alcatraz quickly raised alarms about conditions for detainees in the hot, humid climate. Some whistleblowers have described worm-infested food, plumbing problems and other issues since its opening. 'The Everglades site was selected precisely because of its remote location and harsh surroundings, which Florida officials reportedly view as 'an ideal location to house and transport migrants,'' the Democrats wrote in their letter Wednesday. 'We ask that DHS promptly provide critical information for the American public to better understand this detention plan.' The letter was signed by more than five dozen members of Congress, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). It requested that DHS respond to several questions by September 3.
Boston Globe
3 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Obama applauds Newsom's California redistricting plan as Texas GOP pushes new maps
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up According to organizers, the event raised $2 million for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and its affiliates, one of which has filed and supported litigation in several states over GOP-drawn districts. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Eric Holder, who served as Obama's attorney general and heads up the group, also appeared. Advertisement The former president's comments come as Texas lawmakers return to Austin this week, renewing a heated debate over a new congressional map creating five new potential GOP seats. The plan is the result of prodding by President Donald Trump, eager to stave off a midterm defeat that would deprive his party of control of the House of Representatives. Texas Democratic lawmakers delayed a vote for 15 days by leaving the state in protest, depriving the House of enough members to do business. Advertisement Spurred on by the Texas situation, Democratic governors including Newsom have pondered ways to possibly strengthen their party's position by way of redrawing U.S. House district lines, five years out from the Census count that typically leads into such procedures. In California — where voters in 2010 gave the power to draw congressional maps to an independent commission, with the goal of making the process less partisan — Democrats have unveiled a proposal that could give that state's dominant political party an additional five U.S. House seats in a bid to win the fight to control of Congress next year. If approved by voters in November, the blueprint could nearly erase Republican House members in the nation's most populous state, with Democrats intending to win the party 48 of its 52 U.S. House seats, up from 43. A hearing over that measure devolved into a shouting match Tuesday as a Republican lawmaker clashed with Democrats, and a committee voted along party lines to advance the new congressional map. California Democrats do not need any Republican votes to move ahead, and legislators are expected to approve a proposed congressional map and declare a Nov. 4 special election by Thursday to get required voter approval. Newsom and Democratic leaders say they'll ask voters to approve their new maps only for the next few elections, returning map-drawing power to the commission following the 2030 census — and only if a Republican state moves forward with new maps. Obama applauded that temporary timeline. Advertisement 'And we're going to do it in a temporary basis because we're keeping our eye on where we want to be long term,' Obama said, referencing Newsom's take on the California plan. 'I think that approach is a smart, measured approach, designed to address a very particular problem in a very particular moment in time.'
Newsweek
4 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Barack Obama Reacts to Gavin Newsom's Redistricting Play
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Former Democratic President Barack Obama has weighed in on the rare mid-decade redistricting battles unfolding in several states, voicing support for California Gov. Gavin Newsom's cautious approach to revising congressional maps. Obama's comments came as Republican-led efforts in Texas, encouraged by President Donald Trump, aim to strengthen GOP control ahead of next year's elections. "I believe that Gov. Newsom's approach is a responsible approach," Obama said Tuesday during a fundraiser on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, according to excerpts obtained by The Associated Press. "He said this is going to be responsible. We're not going to try to completely maximize it. We're only going to do it if and when Texas and/or other Republican states begin to pull these maneuvers. Otherwise, this doesn't go into effect." This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
