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But legislator plans to keep on pushingThursday, May 06, 2004 By Robert Travis Scott Capital bureau BATON ROUGE -- A lawmaker revved up her legislation on the House floor Wednesday to overturn a legacy of the Foster administration and require motorcyclists to wear helmets, but the measure sputtered out after 21 representatives failed to show up for the vote. The House voted 45-39 in favor of House Bill 109 by Rep. Clara Baudoin, D-Carencro, but the bill nonetheless fell short of the 53 votes needed for passage in the 105-member chamber. Baudoin said she will bring the bill up again when more members are present. Former Gov. Mike Foster, a motorcycle enthusiast, backed a law passed in 1999 repealing the helmet requirement for anyone 18 or older. Attempts since then to reinstate the law have not reached the House floor until this year. Gov. Kathleen Blanco has said she will sign the bill. Baudoin said helmetless motorcyclists involved in accidents face a greater risk of injury and death. In an effort to dilute the bill, Rep. M.J. Mert Smiley, R-St. Amant, offered an amendment that would let anyone with a license as of July 1 continue to go helmetless, and anyone getting a license after that date could go without a helmet if they pass a simple motorcycle safety course. That amendment failed 32-61. Smiley said the bill encroaches on people's freedom. "It's a basic freedom issue. It's time we drew a line in the sand and stop taking away people's rights," Smiley said. Baudoin disagreed: "It is not a personal issue, it is a public safety issue." Robert Travis Scott can be reached at rscott@timespicayune.com or (225) 342-4197. |
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