U.S. Senate amendment introduced to exempt kids machines from lead law PICKERINGTON, Ohio — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) has introduced language that would exempt youth off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the lead law that effectively bans the sale of these machines at the end of the year, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. Senate Amendment 264, co-sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), would exempt youth OHVs from the lead-content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, which is commonly known as the lead law. Those provisions contain overly restrictive lead-content limits that have virtually destroyed responsible youth motorized recreation. SA 264 would amend S. 493, which is a small business program reauthorization bill. The CPSIA bans the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contains more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part. It also requires that all children’s products undergo periodic testing by independent laboratories approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is responsible for implementing the law. The CPSC has delayed enforcing key portions of the law until after the end of the year. Unless the CPSIA is changed, the sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs will effectively be banned. The Klobuchar amendment is similar to H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and supported by 55 of his colleagues. The AMA has enthusiastically supported Rehberg’s legislation, and now also supports SA 264. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com. More, from a press release issued by the MIC: Senators Klobuchar and Tester Introduce Amendment to Exempt Youth ATVs and Dirt Bikes from CPSIA’s Lead Provisions WASHINGTON, March 28, 2011 United States Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jon Tester (D-MT) today introduced an amendment to S. 493 (a small business program reauthorization bill) that would exempt youth-sized all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes from the lead provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSIA’s lead provisions, which require products primarily intended for children age 12 and under to meet stringent lead limits, unintentionally banned youth model ATVs and dirt bikes because certain components in the vehicles contain small amounts of lead even though the lead content poses no risk to kids.. “Senators Klobuchar’s and Tester’s amendment would stop the ban on youth-sized ATVs and dirt bikes,” said Paul Vitrano, general counsel of the Motorcycle Industry Council. “Unlike the CPSIA itself, Senators Klobuchar’s and Tester’s amendment would leave no question that these youth-sized vehicles will be exempt from the onerous lead provisions that have resulted in many of these vehicles being pulled from the market.” Vitrano continued, “MIC applauds Senators Klobuchar’s and Tester’s leadership on this issue and looks forward to working with them and their staff to ultimately and finally stop the ban. MIC also encourages all enthusiasts to contact their Senators and let them know they support this amendment. Enthusiast and industry response on this issue have resulted in well over one million messages to Congress, but now is the time to intensify efforts and support this realistic solution.. With Senators Klobuchar and Tester championing this issue in the Senate we are making real progress.” While Congress enacted the CPSIA to protect children, the lead provisions as they relate to youth ATVs and dirt bikes continues to have the opposite effect. Vitrano noted, “It is clear that the lead content in youth ATVs and dirt bikes poses no risk to kids. In fact everyone, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, agrees that the real safety issue is that kids are now at risk because the availability of youth ATVs and motorcycles is limited due to the lead ban. Senators Klobuchar’s and Tester’s amendment would ensure that these vehicles are once again available to keep children off of adult-sized vehicles. “ MIC also supports similar legislation introduced in the House by United States Representative Dennis Rehberg (R-MT). Please visit www.stopthebannow.com to have your voice heard and for background information, frequently asked questions, and public outreach tools for the Stop The Ban campaign. The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment firms, media companies and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.