Gray Rohrer
Three motorcycle safety organizations are set to receive funding for promotional campaigns under legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis just signed
“Florida is home to more than 650,000 motorcyclists who are able to ride all year long,” DeSantis said in a released statement. “It is important to continue promoting motorcycle safety and education programs that will prevent accidents and make our roads safer.”
According to DeSantis’ Office, he signed the bill (SB 838) on Wednesday, even though he held a bill signing ceremony on Tuesday after the Cabinet meeting with members of the organizations.
Before the ceremony, his aides kicked out all members of the press out of the Cabinet room. Florida Channel cameras rolled as the ceremony took place, but the audio feed was cut off.
The bill shifts revenues from the $2.50 motorcycle safety education fee included in motorcycle registration fees used by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) for a safety education program. Instead, those funds will go to three nonprofit groups to administer their own program.
The groups must be licensed charities in Florida and have existed for 20 years as a motorcycle safety “grassroots” organization with at least 1,000 members.
Under the new law, the DHSMV must select the three groups by Oct. 1, and enter into five-year contracts with them. The law directs the agency to “award the contracts pursuant to this act to eligible entities even if a sufficient number of qualified entities have not applied.” Payments are to be issued quarterly, with the first payment due on Oct. 1.
The legislation was one of 21 bills signed by DeSantis on Wednesday before he officially became a candidate for President. He filed the paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday afternoon and is reportedly going to officially announce his candidacy during an event on Twitter Wednesday evening with Twitter CEO Elon Musk.
4 comments
Dont Say FLA
May 24, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Never thought I’d see the day when Florida required motorcycle helmets, but there he goes again, Ron DeSantis, controlling people in the supposed name of “safety.”
Ray Blacklidge
May 24, 2023 at 4:52 pm
I never thought I’d see the day someone would argue against life-saving measures like a motorcycle helmet.
R. R
May 25, 2023 at 6:18 am
Kicks the media out, kills the audio for the event. If this asshat becomes POTUS, we will become an authoritarian country. Then again, he’ll never win. All his BS policies may fly in FL, but the rest of the nation will not accept this little dictator. FWIW the national media with eviscerate meatball Ron
Robert Contorno
May 28, 2023 at 5:42 pm
I wish people took the time to read and understand, before they commented. SB838 took months of meetings and hearings, and we are volunteers, working to save lives. This bill DOES NOT AFFECT ANY RIGHTS AT ALL ! It is to fund a safety and education program. Three major motorcycle grassroots organizations, LAMA, Legions Riders (a veteran group) together with the driving force, ABATE of Florida, Inc., will institute and do our best to make a difference. Our Governor, our Sponsors Sen. Jay Collins and our House sponsor, Rep. Taylor Yarkosky with members of the Senate and House all agreed that something needs to be done. No one agrees with every Law, Rule or Bill. But we have to look at the good people (and politicians are people) do, not just what we disagree with. As the State Legislative Trustee for ABATE of Florida, Inc. I am proud of what we accomplished and our government for caring about and wanting to protect and educate our citizens and motorcyclist enthusiasts. PS: This good Bill passed bipartisan , with a 100% vote ! Thank you, Senate, House and Governor, Bob Contorno
Comments are closed.