Appropriations bill debate creates opportunity to influence lead-related ban of youth off-highway vehicles PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is urging all motorcyclists and off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders to take advantage of an immediate opportunity to stress to members of the U.S. Congress how the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 has disrupted the lives of families who recreate responsibly off-road. On March 4, the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2011 Financial Services Appropriations bill. The hearing’s agenda will include the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and address issues such as the CPSIA. One of the most effective ways to reach your representative is to call them. Contact information for elected officials is searchable by zip code at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation (AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp). Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available that can be sent directly to lawmakers by following the “Take Action” option and entering your information. “Much of the challenge of fixing the CPSIA has been working with Congress when lawmakers are in a position to listen and act,” said AMA Vice President of Government Relations Ed Moreland. “The hearing on the 2011 Financial Services Appropriations bill offers a good, though fleeting, opportunity for off-road motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders to highlight the tremendous disruption the CPSIA has caused to family off-road recreation.” On July 7, 2009, Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) attached an amendment to the House fiscal year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations bill that would have prohibited the CPSC from using funds to enforce the CPSIA as it relates to youth-model off-highway motorcycles and ATVs. To see Rehberg’s press release on his amendment, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/Rep_Denny_Rehberg_PR_CPSIA_Amendment.jpg. The AMA applauded the Rehberg amendment, and submitted a letter of support that was placed in the Committee Report on June 23, 2009. To see the AMA’s letter of support, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/AMA_ltr_Rehberg_Support_Language.pdf. “We are working with Rehberg’s office to, once again, include similar language in the fiscal year 2011 Financial Services Appropriation bill,” Moreland said. “We are hopeful that this approach will ultimately help preserve off-road recreation for America’s families, both now and in the future. To be successful, though, we need all motorcyclists and ATV riders to contact their representatives today and provide first-hand examples of how the CPSIA has upended their lives.” For more information how you can help exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com/news/story.asp?id=629&s=banner. 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 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.