From an AMA press release:

Motorcyclists have picked up support from U.S. Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R-Idaho) for their campaign to keep the federal government out of the business of regulating motorcycle apparel, the AMA reports.

During a hearing before the U.S. House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, Otter spoke out against a federal proposal to report clothing defects to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

During the hearing, Otter told NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey Runge that “It was never the intent of Congress to regulate motorcyclists clothing under the TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation)” Act.

“I urge the administration to reconsider this rule and focus our limited resources on highway safety instead of intrusive bureaucracy,” Otter added.

The proposal is part of a package the federal government has drafted that would, if approved by Congress, require motor vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to report customer satisfaction and other information to the federal government to help the NHTSA identify defects related to motor vehicle safety.

The AMA had previously told NHTSA officials that including motorcycle rider apparel in the reporting requirements appears to go beyond what Congress intended in approving the TREAD Act, and that such a requirement appears to be “impractical and unworkable.” Although the AMA supports improvements in rider-safety apparel, the Association notes that bringing federal bureaucracy into the marketplace could cripple an industry that has, on its own, made tremendous advances stretching back several decades.

Otter’s office is working with the AMA to have rider apparel deleted from the proposed reporting requirement. Otter’s office said the congressman adopted the position in response to numerous constituent calls from motorcyclists.

Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, added, “We look forward to working with more elected officials like Rep. Otter to ensure that federal traffic safety officials seriously consider the concerns of motorcyclists on this issue.”