Sadly, SB 264 has failed.

…is assigned to the House Transportation Sub Comm 2, which meets on Wednesday morning @ 7:00 a.m.

Although the docket is not posted yet, it is almost a certainty that this bill will be heard then. [continue reading…]

Cyclists to Hit the Banked Turns

Richmond International Raceway (photo courtesy teamtraveller.com)

The Richmond Police Athletic League (PAL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth of Urban Richmond will be holding a unique fundraiser, “Pedal to the Metal”,  a chip timed 25 & 50 mile cycling event utilizing the racetrack of Richmond International Raceway on May 26.  The event begins at 7:00 a.m. and will be followed by a community ride where citizens of the community and families will be able to ride on the track for a nominal fee.

Early registration ends March 1.

Though not exactly a velodrome, riding the steeply banked turns of RIR  should be quite a thrill for all the budding racers in the community.

Event details and registration information  can be found here.

Having a strong feeling that the final bill to lift the ban on Sunday Hunting (SB464) had very little chance to get through the House Ag Sub Comm that had unanimously dispatched all of the similar House Bills last week, even though 464 had gotten through the Senate by a 29 – 11 vote, I decided to skip this one, and let Champe cover it this morning, while I went on the Retirees Ride on a beautiful day.

I was not surprised to learn from Champe that this bill met a similar fate and was “Laid on the Table” by a voice vote.

So that’s it for Sunday Hunting for this session, and the list of bills I am following for VBF & RABA is getting down to a precious few.

Senate Bill 264 “Motor Vehicles Not to Follow Bicycles Too Closely” was not listed this week in House Transportation, so I expect to see it next week, either on Tuesday or Wednesday (if it is assigned to Sub Comm 2). I’ll be back to you, probably on the weekend, to send some Emails, as we attempt to get this bill passed.

Much more critical to our cause is the action taking place in the U.S. Congress around the the Reauthorization of the Allocation of Transportation Funds. The bill that came out of the House Trans committee last week would virtually end all funds for trails, cycling infrastructure, Safe Routes to School, etc. [continue reading…]

SB464, the last Sunday hunting bill still alive before the General Assembly  was defeated in the House Agriculture Committee. 

This version of the bill would have allowed hunting on private lands.  An amendment was offered by the patron, Senator Ralph Northam, to expand the language to include Virginia Wildlife Management Areas and approved military bases but the amendment failed to pass.

Senator Northam acknowledged the declining number of hunters and argued that allowing Sunday hunting is a great way to get children away from the computers and video games and get them outdoors. 

There was a strong contingent of supporters, including the NRA, and Sunday Hunting Coalition who spoke in favor of the bill. 

Delegate Thomas Wright (R) 61st District, himself and avid hunter,  commented that this bill comes up year after year and noted  that the attempt to narrow the focus of the bill is indicative of the  general lack of support. 

 Delegate Jim Edmunds (R) 60th District, commented that Sunday hunting is divisive among the hunting community and commented that issues like this which may further divide their ranks would not be wise. 

Delegate Edmunds made the motion to, “very gently lay the bill on the table”, which passed, thus ending the discussion for 2012.