Motorcycle helmet repeal bill dies

• By JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 11, 2009 - Page: 8A

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An effort to repeal Louisiana’s motorcycle helmet requirement essentially died Wednesday after facing overwhelming opposition in a state Senate committee.

The Gov. Bobby Jindal-backed repeal skidded to a halt when not a single member of the state Senate Health and Welfare Committee offered to move favorably on the legislation.

“If nobody wants to do anything, we’ll defer the bill,” said committee chairwoman Sen. Willie Mount, D-Lake Charles.

After the meeting, Mount said she considers the issue “dead,” even though it could be heard again by the committee.

Jindal has argued in favor of the helmet repeal, calling it a freedom of choice issue. His executive counsel, Jimmy Faircloth, represented him in committee.

Faircloth admitted the bill “doesn’t stand a chance” when argued on health issues.

“On the basis of personal choice, the Governor’s Office fully supports this,” Faircloth said.

State Sen. David Heitmeier, D-New Orleans, pointed out that Faircloth was in the Health and Welfare Committee to deal with safety issues.

“I just want to kind of help you with what committee you’re in,” Heitmeier told Faircloth.

Current law requires motorcycle operators and riders to wear approved helmets or they would face fines.

House Bill 639, which is sponsored by state Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, would make helmets optional for those age 21 and older.

Last year, the same Senate committee voted to shelve a similar measure with little discussion and without any objections from panel members.

Senate President Joel Chaisson II, D-Destrehan, who was one of the sponsors of the current helmet law, did not participate in Wednesday’s committee meeting. However, he assigned the bill to the Senate panel and has said he adamantly opposes HB639.