On May 12, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Stay of Enforcement Pertaining to Youth Motorized Recreational Vehicles became official. As previously reported, however, the stay provides only temporary, inadequate relief from the ban. The availability of youth model ATVs and dirtbikes will continue to be compromised until Congress provides a permanent solution by amending the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act to exclude youth powersports vehicles from the lead content requirements.
So, last week, your MIC stepped up efforts to completely and permanently stop the ban:
On May 12, MIC helped West Virginia dealer, Steve Burnside of DSD Kawasaki submit testimony explaining the impact of the CPSIA lead ban on his dealership to the U.S. House Small Business Committee for its May 14 oversight hearing.
On May 13, MIC met with staff of Representatives Shadegg and Terry to request support for H.R. 1587, sponsored by Representative Rehberg, which would exempt powersports vehicles from CPSIA’s lead content requirements. We also met with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s staff to talk about the law’s adverse impact on riders and the industry and to request a legislative fix; hear about the meeting. That same day, we were sad to report that CPSIA claimed new victims – 4-H youth seeking ATV training.
On May 14, we returned to Capitol Hill with special guests from Arkansas: dealers Ricky Floyd of Sunrise Honda/Sunrise Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki Polaris and Sandy Stroope of Boat World Honda Polaris and the University of Arkansas’ 4-H ATV safety coordinator, Mike Klumpp, for a meeting with Senator Lincoln’s staff to explain the need for legislative relief from the CPSIA. MIC also met with staff of Representatives Baldwin, Bono Mack and Murphy to request support for H.R. 1587 and oversight hearings on the CPSIA.
Late in the day, we reunited with the Arkansas delegation for an important meeting with Senator Mark Pryor and his staff. The Arkansasans explained to the Senator their concerns with the stay and we emphasized that real relief is needed. The Senator expressed support for riders and the industry and shared his efforts to help, which are appreciated. We will be following up with the Senator and his staff.
The week ended on a bright note. In response to our “tweets” about the week’s meetings, we received the following note from a Congressman friend who follows us on Twitter:
“Keep up the pressure . . .”
We will.
Follow the fight on Twitter (http://twitter.com/paulvitrano).