After Years Of Effort, Success
A bit of police and biker interaction in Laughlin, Nevada–not profiling, though.
I’ve come to appreciate the lame duck sessions of Congress because sometimes it seems like that is one of the only times when things get done. All sessions long the members work to sabotage efforts from the other party, who cares what would actually be good for the country. Finally, in the lame duck session, when members who are not returning finally feel free to vote their conscience rather than the party line, they do just that.
Now, I’m not sure this piece of legislation is one of those, but it did manage to squeak through before the end of the session. I’ll let the Motorcycle Riders Federation tell it:
Hello all motorcycle riders, I hope you all had an excellent Christmas. Bikers received an early Christmas present from our Congressional people. The motorcycle profiling bill that we have worked on hard since 2016, has scored a major victory. The Senate passed their version of the profiling bill back in 2018. We have not been able to get the House of Representatives to bring their version to the floor for a vote. BUTTTTT! Through the efforts of all of you who filled out the Motorcycle Profiling Project Survey and supported the hard dedicated work of the MRF, and our friendlies and supporters and co-signers in Congress, House Resolution 366 was brought to the House floor last Friday, Dec.23. In one of the last actions by the 117th Congress, H.R.366, the Motorcycle Profiling Resolution, was PASSED! We are awaiting President Biden’s signature. I hope this news puts a bit of icing on your Christmas cake. Keep supporting the MRF and the work we do– for all bikers. See ya on down the road, Bear CO MRF REP
Another thing I’m not totally clear on is whether this is even legislation. As a resolution, is it a law? Or just a suggestion that Congress is saying “We’d very much like you to do this, but we’re not going to give you an order.” I think maybe the latter. Here’s the text of the resolution; decide for yourself.
Whereas motorcycle ridership has continued to increase over time with registrations growing from 3,826,373 in 1997 to 13,158,100 in 2018;
Whereas, as of December 31, 2020, the ongoing National Motorcycle Profiling Survey (2015–2020), conducted by the Motorcycle Profiling Project, found that approximately 1/2 of the motorcyclists surveyed felt they had been profiled by law enforcement at least once, and approximately 90 percent of survey participants urge their State and Federal elected officials to legislatively address the issue of motorcyclist profiling;
Whereas motorcyclist profiling means the illegal use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related apparel as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without legal basis under the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas complaints surrounding motorcyclist profiling have been cited in all 50 States;
Whereas nationwide demonstrations to raise awareness and combat motorcyclist profiling have been held in multiple States;
Whereas, in 2011, the State of Washington signed into law legislation stating that the criminal justice training commission shall ensure that issues related to motorcyclist profiling are addressed in basic law enforcement training and offered to in-service law enforcement officers in conjunction with existing training regarding profiling;
Whereas reported incidents of motorcyclist profiling have dropped approximately 90 percent in the State of Washington since the 2011 legislation was signed into law; and
Whereas, as of 2020, Maryland, Louisiana, and Idaho passed laws addressing the issue of motorcyclist profiling: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) promotes increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling;
(2) encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcyclist community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcyclist profiling; and
(3) urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials.
Either way, it’s good to see some success after all this time.
Biker Quote for Today
You are one ride away from a good mood.
Tags: motorcyclist profiling
