[DOCID: f:hr655.110]
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110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-655
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SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH
_______
May 19, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 339]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the bill (H. Res. 339) supporting the goals of
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, having considered the same,
report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that
the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the following:
That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the contribution motorcycles make to the
transportation mix;
(2) encourages all road users to be more aware of motorcycles
and motorcyclists' safety;
(3) encourages all riders to receive appropriate training and
practice safe riding skills; and
(4) supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 339, as amended, expresses support for the goals of
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, recognizes the important
contribution that motorcycles bring to creating transportation
choices, encourages all road users to be more aware of
motorcycles and motorcyclists' safety, and encourages all
riders to receive appropriate training and practice safe riding
skills at all times.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Motorcycles represent a valuable component of the
transportation network in our nation. In 2005 there were over
6.2 million registered motorcycles in the United States.
Motorcycles continue to grow in popularity each year with
motorcycle registrations increasing by over 60 percent from
1998 to 2005. The rising popularity of motorcycles can be
attributed to the benefits of motorcycle usage, including
greater fuel-efficiency, and can lead to decreased roadway
congestion while inflicting very little wear and tear on
American roadways. The United States is the world leader in
advancing motorcycle safety, promoting education, licensing,
use of protective gear, and motorcycle awareness.
The need for increased awareness of motorcycle safety
issues is evident from the alarming safety statistics for
motorcycle accidents. In 2006, motorcycle rider fatalities
increased for the ninth straight year. According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (``NHTSA''),
between 1996 and 2006, there were 35,546 motorcyclist
fatalities and 708,000 motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways.
In 2006, there were 4,810 motorcycle fatalities and 88,000
injuries, up from 2,161 fatalities and 55,000 injuries in 1996.
Over the past decade, motorcyclist fatalities and injuries have
increased 112 percent and 60 percent, respectively. In 2006,
motorcyclists accounted for more than one in nine U.S. road
fatalities. Statistics have found that per vehicle mile
traveled, motorcyclists are roughly 37 times more likely than
passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash.
With the warmer spring weather arriving in May, the number
of motorcycles on the road will increase significantly, which
will require increased alertness and awareness on the part of
passenger vehicle drivers. The motorcycle community remains
committed to the reduction of motorcycle crashes through
licensing, training, education, enforcement, personal
responsibility, and increased public awareness of the
importance of motorcycle safety. Public awareness of motorcycle
safety benefits everyone that uses our nation's roadways, not
just motorcyclists, because it can lead to a decrease in car-
motorcycle crashes.
Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, riders will
be educated on the importance of following the rules of the
roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing
protective gear such as a helmet. NHTSA estimates that helmets
saved 1,658 motorcyclists' lives in 2006, and that 752 more
lives could have been saved if the motorcyclists involved in
fatal non-helmeted crashes had worn helmets.
NHTSA promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind
all riders and motorists to always share the road.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 339, as amended, expresses support for the goals of
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, recognizes the important
contribution that motorcycles bring to creating transportation
choices, encourages all road users to be more aware of
motorcycles and motorcyclists' safety, and encourages all
riders to receive appropriate training and practice safe riding
skills at all times.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On April 26, 2007, Representative Michael C. Burgess
introduced H. Res. 339. This resolution has not been introduced
in a previous Congress.
On May 15, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 339. The
Committee adopted an amendment that added one provision to the
resolve clause that encourages all riders to receive
appropriate training and practice safe riding skills and the
resolution, as amended, was agreed to and reported favorably to
the House by voice vote.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires each committee report to include the total number of
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter,
and the names of those members voting for and against. There
were no recorded votes taken in connection with any amendments
offered to H. Res. 339 or in ordering H. Res. 339 reported. A
motion to order H. Res. 339, as amended, reported favorably to
the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 339
is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore
does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost
associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2008, or for
any fiscal year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding. Neither a cost estimate nor comparison for
any measure that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Res. 339 does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
With respect to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 339 is a resolution of
the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the
force of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not
apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act (Public Law 104-4).
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 339 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
resolution.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Res. 339 makes no changes to existing law.
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