HB 770 -- MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

SPONSOR:  Ward

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation and Motor Vehicles by a vote of 14 to 6.

This bill requires all motorcycle operators and passengers under
the age of 21 to wear helmets.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and
FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this is strictly an issue of
freedom and the right of adults to make their own choice.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ward; American
Motorcycle Association; and Freedom of Road Riders.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that Missouri's
motorcycle helmet law was good public policy when it was enacted
37 years ago, and it is still good public policy.  The current
helmet laws do work, and helmet usage is the single most
important factor contributing to the survival of a person
involved in a motorcycle crash.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Motorcycle Safety
Program; Missouri Safety Council; Missouri Advocates for Traffic
Safety; Division of Highway Safety; Missouri Medical Association;
Missouri College of Emergency Physicians; and Barb Sturner.

Robert Triplett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:13 am