Foe of helmet law continues fight

Erin Neff

Monday, April 16, 2001 | 10:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A lawmaker is hoping residents can force a vote today on a controversial bill to repeal the state's motorcycle helmet law for those 21 and over.

But Assemblyman Don Gustavson's best chances to get a vote on Assembly Bill 88 died quietly last Thursday, when Assembly Transportation Committee Chairwoman Vonne Chowning quickly adjourned a meeting without calling for a vote.

As a result, Gustavson's bill will die in committee if Chowning does not reconsider her actions and hold an unscheduled meeting of the panel by midnight tonight.

"I'm very discouraged that we went and had a hearing with no vote," said Gustavson, R-Sun Valley, who has sought to repeal the law in each of the past three sessions.

Gustavson believes those over 21 should have a choice about whether to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Opponents cite crash statistics and rising insurance costs that could cost taxpayers an estimated $8.6 million annually to pay for injured cyclists without coverage.

Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, convened a hearing on the bill Thursday -- the last day the committee was scheduled to meet before today's deadline to pass legislation to the full house.

"I wanted to give the people who didn't testify in '97 and '99 a chance to be heard," Chowning said of the hearing. "Honestly, there was an overwhelming majority of the members of the committee that did not feel they wanted it to come to a vote."

But Gustavson doesn't see it that way. He said he had support from six committee members to pass the bill on, with three others telling him they would consider it. Seven votes are needed from that committee.

Gustavson said the majority of e-mails and calls he's received from constituents led him to believe residents want the law repealed. He said they should now pressure Chowning to hold a quick "behind-the-bar" meeting of the committee to take a vote -- pass or fail.

Chowning said that's unnecessary, especially since she doubts the full Assembly or the Senate will pass the bill into law.

"This is the third time we heard it and there's nothing new," Chowning said.

E-mail can be sent to lawmakers through Legislature's website, at www.leg.state.nv.us