House votes to allow adults to not wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

House votes to allow adults to not wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle

Date: April 23, 2014
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
The Missouri House gave initial approval to a bill allowing motorcyclists to go helmetless while riding.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Despite bipartisan opposition, the bill was given first-round approval by voice vote.

The measure would give adults over the age of 21 the choice of whether or not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in Missouri.

Republican bill sponsor Representative Eric Burlison said the bill is about freedom.

Actuality:  BURMOTOR.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "It is not the role of government to compel them to take actions... for us to make the decisions for what we believe is in their best interest or their best safety."

The measure faces one more House vote before moving to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.  

Intro: 
A bipartisan group of Missouri House members criticized a measure exempting adults over 21 from wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republicans and Democrats alike spoke against the bill, but it was given first-round approval.

Even though the measure allows those over 21 to not wear a helmet, it still requires those under 21 to wear a helmet.

Despite that, multiple Republicans opposed the bill including Rolla Republican Representative Keith Frederick.

Actuality:  FREDMOTO.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: It will, however, have a positive effect on the economy in one very specific area and that is in the funeral business. So the embalmers and owners of funeral parlors in your districts will love this bill.

The measure faces one more vote before it goes to the Senate.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.