[House Report 111-79]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                     111-79

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       SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

                                _______
                                

   April 21, 2009.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 269]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 269) supporting the goals 
of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, having considered the 
same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend 
that the resolution be agreed to.

                       PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

    House Resolution 269 supports the goals of Motorcycle 
Safety Awareness Month.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to encourage riders 
to always wear helmets and other protective gear, never drink 
and ride, be properly licensed, receive training, and to remind 
all riders and motorists to always share the road.
    Motorcycles represent a valuable component of the nation's 
transportation network. In 2006, there were approximately 6.7 
million registered motorcycles in the United States. 
Motorcycles continue to grow in popularity each year, with 
motorcycle registrations increasing by over 60 percent from 
1998 to 2005. The rising popularity of motorcycles can be 
attributed to the benefits of motorcycle usage, including 
greater fuel-efficiency. In addition, motorcycle usage leads to 
decreased roadway congestion, and inflicts very little wear and 
tear on our nation's roadways. The United States is the world 
leader in advancing motorcycle safety, promoting education, 
licensing, use of protective gear, and motorcycle awareness.
    With the warmer spring weather arriving, the number of 
motorcycles on the roads will increase significantly. This will 
require increased alertness and awareness on the part of 
passenger vehicle drivers. Public awareness of motorcycle 
safety benefits everyone that uses the nation's roadways, not 
just motorcyclists, because it can lead to a decrease in car-
motorcycle crashes. NHTSA's statistics have found that per 
vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are roughly 37 times more 
likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash.
    In 2007, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the 
tenth straight year. According to NHTSA, between 1997 and 2007, 
there were 38,566 motorcyclist fatalities and 756,000 
motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways. In 2007 alone, there 
were 5,154 motorcycle fatalities and 103,000 injuries, up from 
2,116 fatalities and 53,000 injuries in 1997.
    Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, riders will 
be educated on the importance of following the rules of the 
roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing 
protective gear, such as a helmet. NHTSA estimates that helmets 
saved 1,784 motorcyclists' lives in 2007, and that 800 more 
lives could have been saved if motorcyclists involved in fatal 
non-helmeted crashes had worn helmets.

                       SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

    H. Res. 269 expresses support for the goals of Motorcycle 
Safety Awareness Month, recognizes the important contribution 
motorcycles bring to the variety of transportation options, 
encourages all road users to be more aware of motorcycles and 
motorcyclists' safety, and encourages all riders to receive 
appropriate training and practice safe riding skills at all 
times.

            LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    On March 19, 2009, Representative Gabrielle Giffords 
introduced H. Res. 269.
    On April 2, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 269. The 
Committee ordered H. Res. 269 reported favorably to the House 
by voice vote with a quorum present.
    In the 110th Congress, Representative Michael C. Burgess 
introduced H. Res. 339 on April 26, 2007. On May 15, 2008, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open 
session to consider H. Res. 339. The Committee agreed to the 
resolution and ordered it reported favorably to the House by 
voice vote with a quorum present. On May 19, 2008, the 
Committee reported the resolution to the House. H. Rept. 110-
655. On May 21, 2008, the House agreed to H. Res. 339 by voice 
vote.

                              RECORD VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives 
requires each committee report to include the total number of 
votes cast for and against on each recorded vote on a motion to 
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, 
and the names of those members voting for and against. There 
were no recorded votes taken in connection with considering H. 
Res. 269 or ordering the resolution reported. A motion to order 
H. Res. 269 reported favorably to the House was agreed to by 
voice vote with a quorum present.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in this report.

                          COST OF LEGISLATION

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 269 
is a House resolution, and therefore does not have the force of 
law. As such, there is no cost associated with this legislation 
for fiscal year 2009, or for any fiscal year thereafter.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

    1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee 
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes 
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level 
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under 
current law is required.
    2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that 
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance 
goals and objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is 
required.
    3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that 
authorizes funding, so no cost estimate nor comparison for any 
measure that authorizes funding is required.

                     COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

    Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, H. Res. 269 does not contain any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI 
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    With respect to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 269 is a resolution of 
the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the 
force of law. As such, clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII does not 
apply.

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    H. Res. 269 contains no federal mandates.

                        PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the 
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, 
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 269 does not 
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this 
resolution.

                APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

         CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

    H. Res. 269 makes no changes in existing law.

                                  
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