NH Bikers Prove Still Formidable

Well, at least we now have an idea of what it takes to turn profligate spendthrifts into self-professed -- yet highly selective -- fiscal frugalistas. And this from a constituent of Rep Mangipudi: "I support this law because ... riding is the ultimate freedom." Hey, who says nanny-staters have no sense of irony?

HB1621, "relative to the use of protective head gear while operating motorcycles and motorized bicycles", 2/4/2020, before the NH House Transportation Committee.

We've been here before, of course, but not for a while -- ten years ago, in fact. The odds haven't changed much, it seems: still the State against the majority. Who will win? Call your reps and place your bets.

Final "Blue Sheet" (i.e., attendees not speaking, but with an opinion nevertheless) tally: 4 in favor, 259 opposed. I'll leave it to you to count the speakers...

And don't fall for the sponsor's cynically-offered "divide and conquer" amendment, appeasing bicyclists.

Press

• Bill Would Require Helmets For Motorcycles & 'Electric Bikes'
• Tuesday At The State House
• Nanny State rides again thanks to NH State Rep Skip Cleaver - Granite Grok

Why is NH the Freest State?

Josiah Bartlett Center and Mercatus Center Hold Briefing on

"Freedom in the 50 States"
Ranking NH Most Free State

Monday June 27, 10:00 a.m.

Legislative Office Building Room 210

The Josiah Bartlett Center will hold a briefing with Profs. Jason Sorens and William Ruger, authors of the Mercatus Center study “Freedom in the Fifty States” which ranked New Hampshire as the most free state in the country on Monday at 10:00 in the Legislative Office Building. Center president Charlie Arlinghaus said “Sorens and Ruger have created a very provocative objective index based on freedom. The index is thought-provoking and there’s definitely enough here to not only please and annoy both Republicans and Democrats but to make all of us think differently about policy.” The briefing is free and open to the public.

The authors’ analysis of New Hampshire’s standing follows:

New Hampshire is, by our count, the freest state in the country. Depending on weights, however, it really shares the slot with South Dakota. New Hampshire does much better on economic than personal freedom and on fiscal than regulatory policy. Under unified Democratic control in 2007–2008, the state saw a respectable increase in freedom. A smoking ban was enacted, but so were same-sex civil unions. Taxes, spending, and fiscal decentralization remain more than a standard deviation better than average, and government debt actually went down slightly. Gun laws are among the most liberal in the country, but carrying a firearm in a car requires a concealed carry permit. Effective retail-tax rates on wine and spirits are zero. Marijuana laws are middling; low level possession could be decriminalized like it is in Maine, while low-level cultivation could be made a misdemeanor like it is in both Maine and Vermont. New Hampshire is the only state in the country with no seatbelt law for adults. It lacks a motorcycle helmet law but does have a bicycle-helmet law and authorizes sobriety checkpoints. State approval is required to open a private school. Homeschool laws are slightly worse than average; standardized testing and recordkeeping requirements are stricter than those in most states. Eminent-domain reforms have gone far. The state’s liability system is one of the best, but campaign-finance regulations are quite strict. The drug law-enforcement rate is low and dropping, while arrests for other victimless crimes are high and dropping. Asset-forfeiture law is definitely subpar, with potential for abuse.

NHPR coverage.
Union Leader coverage.
Response by Sorens and Ruger.

'Constitution Ride Across America' Hits Concord

The 'Constitution Ride Across America,' with driving force Daren Gardner, motors into Concord, NH, 8/19/2010, for its eighth stop, spreading "the word that the constitution still matters and that you can do something about it," by delivering copies of the US Constitution to state Representatives in the "lower 48." Well, to the ones who are interested, anyway...




We met up with Daren at Riley's in Hooksett to escort him to the NH State House for the rally. If you couldn't make it, you can relive the 25-minute ride right here in 7 minutes.

NH House Hears from Bikers

The NH House Transportation Committee holds consecutive hearings on 2 motorcycle-specific bills, HB1261, "relative to motorcycle noise emission controls," followed by HB1162, "relative to the wearing of motorcycle protective headgear," 1/28/2010. I must say I was pleasantly surprised that there was far less "nanny-state"-style opposition than at last year's identical-concept seatbelt bill.

Testimony from ordinary citizens, of course, plus from the NH Motorcyclist Rights Organization, the American Motorcyclist Association, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association. Oh, and some supercilious authoritarian bureaucrat from NTSB. Check out his contemptuous tone when challenged by a "mere" State Representative in the YouTube teaser clip just below (as well as in the full HB1162 video). You go, Rep. Packard...!

Note in the HB1261 video how indignant sponsor Rep. Day is made by the notion that the electorate is actually made aware of her incessant shenanigans. She certainly does get a lot of consistent pushback on her bills, doesn't she? I can see how it might eventually get frustrating for her. Why, oh why can't they just let her do what she wants to them...?

But first, a couple highlights, each grasping the essence of their respective bills. Plus a, um... "bonus"...




HB1261




HB1162, Part 1



HB1162, Part 2




Press

• Helmet bill draws hundreds to hearing

NH House Transportation Committee Hearing on HB95

NH House Transportation Committee Hearing on HB95: "relative to motorcycle equipment and noise levels." Too many bikers for a mere hearing room, we repair to Representatives' Hall, 1/21/2009
Contact your legislators.

Union Leader coverage here.