Ayotte Works to Successfully Include Measure Protecting Motorcyclist Rights in Highway Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, worked to successfully include legislation she is cosponsoring to protect the rights of New Hampshire motorcycle riders in the highway bill (S. 1732) that passed out of the committee on Wednesday. Ayotte is cosponsoring the stand-alone bill -- the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act -- with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

"Motorcyclists contribute significantly to the culture and economy of New Hampshire, and have long been an important part of recreation in our state," Ayotte said. "Motorcycle-only checkpoints are discriminatory, and I was pleased to work across the aisle to ensure our bipartisan legislation was included in the highway bill. Federal funds shouldn't be used for unfair practices, and this measure will protect the rights of motorcyclists to abide by the same laws as any other motor vehicle."

The provision included in the bill would prevent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from issuing grants to states to fund discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints. Motorcyclists are required to comply with state requirements for registration, inspection, and licensing.

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