ABATE of FLORIDA, Inc.

Transcription

1 An Important Link Between Us All ABATE of FLORIDA, Inc. MEMBER OF NCOM MEMBER OF MRF Dedicated to Freedom of the Road Let Those Who Ride Decide Volume 38 March/April 2019 Issue 2 ABATE of Florida Inc. 22nd ANNUAL FREEDOM RIGHTS RALLY RIDE TO THE STATE CAPITOL MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2019 NEXT STATE MEETING April 14, 2019, Monticello, FL Hosted by State Board

2 Page 2 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 ABATE OF FLORIDA IS A MEMBER OF NCOM Law Offices of RICHARD M. LESTER Founder, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists 110 Offices Throughout North America Free Legal Consultation No Recovery = No Fee We Make House Calls ATTORNEYS in Every State and Province who Ride No Fee on Motorcycle Damage Recovery Also Auto Accidents Not Just ONE Attorney The AIM Team to Help YOU 24 Hours - Toll Free (800) (800) ON-A-BIKE Affiliated Florida Offices to Serve You Check us out! Ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Hiring a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Also ask the next biker you see about us. Visit us on the web at ATTENTION ABATE OF FLORIDA MEMBERS: Our nationwide network of A.I.M. Attorneys donate a significant portion of their legal fees from motorcycle accident settlements back into motorcycling by being the sole financial sponsor of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists. IPHONE/ANDROID USERS SCAN TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW SMARTPHONE APP AIM 3215-A IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT The Masterlink is the state publication of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Published bi-monthly (six times a year). ABATE of Florida, Inc. DeLand, Florida The submission deadline for all material intended for publication in the Masterlink is the bi-monthly State meetings. DISCLAIMER Masterlink is the official publication of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and accepts no responsibility for the comments or opinions contained in this publication. ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING AND RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE EDITORIAL GUIDELINES You are encouraged to submit letters about ABATE related events, stories, articles, photographs, poems, commentaries etc. All items become the property of ABATE of Florida, Inc. Please make items print ready. Leave at least 1/2 border on all sides. Please do not submit slanderous or accusing letters, profanity or nudity. ABATE of FLORIDA INC. will not accept any advertising that discriminates against any type of motorcyclist. AMERICAN BIKERS AIMING TOWARD EDUCATION A BROTHERHOOD AGAINST TOTALITARIAN ENACTMENTS ADVERTISING RATES (PER ISSUE) Full page $79.87 Quarter Page $33.44 Half page $53.25 Business Card $16.05 All rates show sales tax. Those that advertise for one consecutive year in the Masterlink (6 issues) will receive one advertisement of equal value FREE. Full payment must accompany ad copy and form. All ads must be camera ready. Advertisers will receive one copy of each issue of Masterlink in which their advertisement appears. Non-ABATE event flyers are subject to Masterlink s advertising rates. As a courtesy there is no charge for benefit flyers. Non-ABATE flyers are subject to space availability. ABATE of Florida, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any advertiser at the discretion of the State Board of Directors. GOALS AND PURPOSES OF ABATE To print a newsletter to keep all bikers informed with regard to legislative actions and events around the state and throughout the country To become a powerful and viable political force in legislative matters concerning all motorcyclists rights To provide a lobbyist to represent ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. on the state and national level To promote voter registration and motivate members to write their legislators To promote safe riding habits without infringing on individual rights To educate the public about motorcycle awareness

3 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 3 STATE MEETINGS 2019 February 9, 2019 Forest April 14, 2019 Tallahassee June 8, 2019 Vintage August 10, 2019 Southeast October 12, 2019 Gulf Coast December 14, 2019 Ocala NEXT STATE MEETING Saturday, April 14, 2019, Monticello, FL Hosted by State Board SUBMISSION DEADLINE Flyers for chapter and benefit events taking place during the months of May/June 2019 must be to the Masterlink Editor by the April 2019 State Meeting. Be sure to provide a copy of all such flyers to each of the STATE BOD and the State Office Manager. Thank you! WEB SITES of INTEREST statewatch/fl.html If you find a website that would be of interest to your fellow members please forward it to the Masterlink ABATE of Florida Accomplishments: ABATE was the driving force behind the changes in Florida s Helmet Law. Florida Motorcyclists, over the age of 21 and who carry at least $10,000 medical insurance coverage now enjoy the Freedom to Choose whether to wear a helmet or not. ABATE has developed & copyrighted The Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Program (MSAP). The program is presented to non-motorcyclists to educate them on how to safely share the road with motorcycles. It is taught in local schools & to civic organizations at no charge in the hope of reducing motorcycle accidents and deaths through education, not legislation. ABATE has gained a positive and respected position in Tallahassee. Because of our Lobbyist and Legislative efforts, State Representatives are aware of ABATE members and our vigilant quest. ABATE reminds travelers everyday to Look Twice Save a Life, Motorcycles are everywhere through our billboard campaign. TABLE OF CONTENTS PRESIDENTS LETTER....4 STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS...5 MINUTES ARTICLE: Laws to Curb Cell use Saving Lives...10 APRIL STATE MEETING FLYER...11 LEGISLATIVE INFO CHAPTER/EVENT FLYERS CHAPTER INFO AD ORDER FORM/ADVERTISING RATES...20 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Every decision ABATE makes effects over 500,000 licensed motorcyclists in the state of Florida. Shouldn't your voice be heard?

4 Page 4 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 From the Desk of the President It was heartening to see all chapters at the February state meeting. We had members there who I had not seen for a very long time and it was good to see everyone. I would like to send our condolences to the state Sergeant at Arms on the loss of his father. We especially want to thank Forest Chapter for the excellent way they handled the logistics of the state meeting. At the meeting we had some good discussions and the most important one is the ride to the Capitol. This year we must have a large showing. We want our legislation to pass and we need to show our legislators that we believe in what we are doing. They need to know from us that one death is one too many and the people who are killing us need to be held accountable. Every week there are articles in the newspapers, on the web, and on television that tell us that another person has died by a careless driver. It must stop and it is our duty as fellow human beings to save these lives. We also discussed having an Abate Cruise for our members, families and friends. I have contacted a travel agency and they are looking for deals for us. If any one would like to go please tell your chapter so we can see how many rooms we will need and remember it is two people to a room. I was told that if enough people go that some cruises have a party for the group going. This would be an excellent way for our members to get to know each other from all parts of the state. If enough people wish to go I will have someone take names and information to get a complete count. I also want to remind all chapters that state products cannot be sent out to vendors to make copies for your chapter. All vendors who want to make state products must go through the state board of directors. If that happens we will file suit for infringement on our property. Again the ride to the Capitol will be the most important ride you will go on this year. If you can make it show up and support the cause of saving your brothers and sisters lives and from serious injury. Doc

5 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page BOARD OF DIRECTORS STATE OFFICE ABATE of Florida, Inc. DeLand, FL (386) Fax: (850) flabatestateoffice@bellsouth.net STATE OFFICE ANNEX ABATE of Florida, Inc. DeLand, FL (386) Fax: (850) flabate@bellsouth.net PRESIDENT James Doc Reichenbach PO Box 712 Silver Springs, FL (352) Fax: (352) flabatestatepresident@gmail.com SGT. AT ARMS Marcus Hotelling DeLand, FL (321) Fax: (850) flabatestatesgtatarms@gmail.com PR/COMMUNICATIONS William G. "Magneto" Prewitt DeLand, (954) Fax: (850) flabatestatepr@gmail.com MEMBERSHIP Laurie Hanley DeLand, FL (239) Fax: (850) flabatestatemembership@gmail.com LEGISLATIVE Darrin Scribe Brooks DeLand, FL (239) Fax: (850) flabatestatelegislative@gmail.com PRODUCTS Shayne Hanley PO Box 236 Lehigh Acres, FL (239) (386) (Fax) flabatestateproducts@gmail.com DIRECTOR 0F SAFETY EDUCATION Victor Piorkowski DeLand, FL (239) Fax: (850) flabatemsap@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT Darrin "Scribe" Brooks DeLand, FL (239) Fax: (850) flabatestatevp@gmail.com SECRETARY Shelly Johnston DeLand, FL (904) Fax: (850) flabatestatesecretary@gmail.com TREASURER Deborah Hamby PO Box Lake Park, FL (561) Fax: (850) flabatestatetreasurer@gmail.com MASTERLINK EDITOR Joanne "Critter" Napoli Prewitt DeLand, FL (954) Fax: (850) flabatemasterlink@gmail.com LEGAL COUNSEL Vacant Call State President LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE FLABATE ( ) Toll Free Inside Florida Only WEB PROBLEMS Joanne "Critter" Napoli William G. "Magneto" Prewitt flabatestatewebmaster@gmail.com NEXT STATE MEETING Sunday, April 14, 2019 SEE FLYER INSIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION

6 Page 6 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. Delegate Meeting Hosted by: Forest Chapter, Saturday February 9, 2019 CALLED TO ORDER AT: 2:02 p.m. by President James Doc Reichenbach after the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for our fallen brothers and sisters. Passed the hat for Marcus Hotelling. Present were: President James Doc Reichenbach, Vice President Darrin Brooks, Secretary Shelly Johnston, Treasurer Debbie Hamby, State Office Brandy Westerfield, State Office Annex Elizabeth Boots Buchholz, Membership Laurie Hanley, PR/Communications William Prewitt, Safety Victor Piorkowski, Products Shayne Hanley, Asst Products Kim Hollan, Masterlink Joanne Napoli, Co-Webmasters William Prewitt and Joanne Napoli. Excused absence Marcus Hotelling. DELEGATE REPRESENTATIVES: Daytona Beach- John Banta, Gene Lessig Estero River-Larry Peterson, Ward Jackson Forest- Joseph Wieland, John Melin Freedom- Robert Hotchkiss, Robert Olsen Gator Alley- Jude Stevens, John Stevens Gulf Coast- Brandy Westerfield, J.L. Gibson Hillsborough- Charles Dotterer, Cheryl Edmunds Lake- Will Griz Deaver, Vera Deaver Lighthouse- Marie Donovan, Tammy Grant Palm Beach- Dan Henderson, Bill Black Peace River- Bill Neal, Bill Bird Polk County- John McDermott, Dewey Cain Seminole County- RD Reagan, Frenchie Morland Southeast- Jon Voger, Marie Baxter Southernmost-Bill Kelly, Byron Agababian Southwest- Wayne Cerra, Jaime Cerra Treasure Coast- Steve Kliemisch Vintage- Sharon Balocki, Pauline Sasser West Coast- Mike Duffey PRESIDENT: Doc Reichenbach: A card is going around for Richard, the president of Hillsborough chapter, who is in the hospital. We will be having another gun raffle in December. Debbie will be handing out the tickets during lunch break. Seminole is suspended for a couple months to give them time to regroup. Doc would like to look into having an ABATE of Florida, Inc. cruise. Probably a 3 day cruise in January or February He will talk to his travel agent. Instructed delegates to go back to their chapters and see who would be interested. Friends and family could come also. We could go to Cuba, Cancun or the Bahamas, whatever is the best deal. Carnival gives a discount to ex-military. VICE PRESIDENT: Darrin "Scribe" Brooks: Nothing to report under V.P. SECRETARY: Shelly Johnston: The December minutes need to be approved. Motion to approve made by Lake County, 2nd by Vintage and passed. TREASURER: Deborah Hamby: Treasurer s report are in the packets. Secretary said the Treasurer s report for December was not approved. Motion to approve the December report made by Seminole, 2nd by Gulf Coast and passed. Motion to approve February s Treasurer s report made by Forest, 2nd by Vintage and passed. Chapters are doing a good job getting reports in on time. Remember chapters who mail their reports after the 5th of the month will receive a notice to add $50 donation to State. SARGENT-AT-ARMS: Marcus Hotelling: Excused absence Condolences to Marcus for the loss of his father. Prayers to him and his family.

7 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 7 STATE OFFICE: Brandy Westerfield: Dropped of flyers for the ride to the capital at Harley dealer in Tallahassee. There are flyers up front also. STATE OFFICE ANNEX Ms. Boots: Having a hard time getting insurance for camping. Get your requests in early, do not wait until the last minute to submit. Do not make up your own print and sign waiver forms. They are on the website under forms. MEMBERSHIP: Laurie Hanley: Most new members November: Southeast Highest % of growth: Freedom Most new members December: Southeast Highest % of growth: Southeast There is an insurance card template and the letter that goes with the card in your packets. This is for the $ 4,000 AD&D insurance ABATE of Florida, Inc. members free of charge. Each chapter s membership person needs to print the cards now, the insurance company is not giving them to us anymore. Use card stock paper to print them. She will send out an to membership people. SAFETY DIRECTOR: Victor Piorkowski: Has received some inventories. Still need one from each chapter even if it states there are no products. Send in report after you have a safety booth. Needs input- do chapters want him to do a MSAP class after a State meeting? Ask your chapter members. Slossberg asked Doc what we are doing and what he could do to help. Doc mentioned the overhead signs on the turnpike. Delegates noted they saw the message watch for motorcycles on the signs on the way to the meeting. PRODUCTS: Shayne Velcro Hanley: Has 2x and 3x Lifetime long sleeve shirts. Come buy them so he can order more in smaller sizes. There are many other items on the table-make him an offer! Hats are $12 across the board. They say dedicated to freedom of the road. Lake County modeled a nameplate that scrolled the words watch for motorcycles. It is $10 and MSAP will have it for sale. PR/COMMUNICATIONS: William Magneto Prewitt: Remember that if you didn t create it you must give credit for it. Do not post pictures of members drinking. ABATE of Florida, Inc. does not condone drinking and riding. Question was asked if Governor DeSantis was going to sign the proclamation for May as Motorcycle Safety Month. Every administration does it differently. Doc will call Monday to see which office is handling the proclamation. Forest is drafting a letter asking businesses to display May is Motorcycle Safety Month or Watch for Motorcycles. In exchange they will get free publicity by having picture in chapter newsletter. MASTERLINK: Joanne Critter Napoli Prewitt: Masterlinks are up front. As noted by PR/Comm we need to be better about acknowledging copyrighted material. She has potential advertisers for Masterlink. WEBMASTER: Joanne Critter Napoli Prewitt and William Magneto Prewitt: Masterlinks are up front. As noted by PR/Comm we need to be better about acknowledging copyrighted material. She has potential advertisers for Masterlink. Continued on next page

8 Page 8 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 LEGISLATIVE: Darrin Scribe Brooks: Thanks to chapter donations the News Service of Florida subscription has been paid. Watch for s on legislative updates and get them out to your members quickly. Darrin will also be sending out talking points to use when you see your representatives and info about our bills: HB71 by Representative McClain and SB158 by Senator Baxley. There is a sample on what to say to legislators in the Masterlink. Send an to your legislators asking them to co-sponsor one of our bills. Representative McClain is also sponsoring HB2001 which is for $300,000 for ABATE of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program. HB505 by Representative Grant calls for a Purple Heart Tag for motorcycles. Doc will talk to Steve Wise about the red, white and blue tag. LOBBYIST: Doc Reichenbach: Doc was contacted by a lawyer for the House of Representatives who was impressed with what we are trying to do. She sounded hopeful that we will get a hearing this time. One sponsor of the bill also thinks the chairman of the committee will be on board. Doc will be taking the I m sick and tired of burying my brothers and sisters to preserve America s right to drive stupid banner. A lot of the legislators (30%) are new and will be asking questions. If you don t know the answer refer them to Doc or Darrin. A human life is worth more than $100, the average amount of the fine. MRF : Their lobbyist quit and went to Proctor & Gamble. They have hired a lobbying company for a few months. AMA: No news from them. NCOM: Orlando, May 10-12, 2019: Flyers are out. ABATE of Florida, Inc. will be doing safety seminars. Doc gave credit to Jeff Avery who created the safety program. Click on the NCOM flyer on our website for the schedule and to register. Discount tickets for Universal may be available at the Chamber of Commerce. We will also be doing the tee shirts for the conference and we keep the proceeds from sales. TALLAHASSEE: State meeting will be Sunday April 14. Ride to the capital will be Monday Kick stands up at 9 a.m. behind the Super 8 motel in Monticello (140 Pafford Road Monticello FL 32336). We still don t know which way we are going into the capital. Doc asked if delegates talked to their chapter members about going to the capital. Peace River has 10 people going. Lake County estimates bikes. Doc said it is important that we have a good turnout. If we don t show they will think we don t care. We will have the banner there, take pictures and hopefully we will get on the news. STATE PARTY COMMITTEE: Darrin and Billy Billy reported that they have decided five star or regional parties may be more productive, better attended. There will be a party June 1 at the Fort Meyers Country store. Encouraged neighboring chapters to get together and co-host a party for their areas. OLD BUSINESS: At the December State meeting chapters were instructed to think about having a central location for all State meetings. Forest motioned to have all meetings in the central Florida area to reduce driving time for delegates. Southeast 2nd motion. Discussion followed with overall feeling that delegates like to travel to visit other

9 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 9 chapters. Nays carried the vote. Doc said chapters need to host meetings if they don t want to centralize. Slo Mo is doing research and working on the wording regarding getting mandatory driver s education. He also needs to talk to some legislators. Doc reminded him that the session starts next month. NEW BUSINESS: Leadership seminars: Lake motioned to have the seminars held here in Ocala. Gator Alley seconded. After some discussion the delegation approved the motion. GOOD OF THE ORDER: Doc thanked Forest for hosting the meeting and for providing lunch. John (Forest) they are having a chili cook off and Valentine dance tonight and also celebrating his birthday which was yesterday. Grizz (Lake) Leesburg Bike Fest is April May 25 is Can you see me now? awareness ride. Congrats to newlyweds Sandy and Diane! Silent auction, drawings held. Sharon (Vintage) won 50/50 and donated most back. The next State meeting is in Monticello on Sunday, April 14 hosted by State. BOD meeting at noon, delegate meeting at 2:00 p.m. Motion to adjourn by Vintage, 2nd by Forest and approved. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 4:11 Respectfully submitted by Shelly Johnston 2/27//2019 Instead of telling someone who rides a motorcycle how dangerous it is... How about looking twice before switching lanes, making turns or pulling out of a driveway... Stay on your side of the road, especially in curves... Don't follow too close... Keep your eyes on the road and off your cellphone... This truely is life and death!!! ~Author Unknown~

10 Page 10 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 State Laws to Curb Drivers Use of Cell Phones Appear to Be Saving Lives of Motorcyclists Insurance Journal January 7, 2019 Laws to ban or curb drivers use of cell phones and other handheld devices have greatly reduced the rate of fatalities for motorcyclists. States with moderate to strong bans have motorcycle fatality rates that differ by as much as 11 percent compared to states with no bans, according to a study out of Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami. The study s findings were recently published in Social Science & Medicine. In the case of motorcycles, these laws seem to be effective, said study co-author Gulcin Gumus, Ph.D., an associate professor in health administration in FAU s College of Business. While it s not clear that these laws have had an impact on reducing the overall number of traffic fatalities, when we focus specifically on motorcycles, we find that these laws are having a major impact in reducing deaths among motorcycle riders. Motorcyclists account for a much higher proportion of traffic fatalities relative to the share of motorcycles among all motor vehicles and vehicle miles driven in the U.S. The study s authors obtained annual data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System on total and motorcycle-specific traffic fatalities for all 50 states during the period of Those data were then merged with state-specific characteristics, texting/handheld device laws, as well as other traffic policies to estimate the effectiveness of strong, moderate and weak bans compared to no bans. While automobile safety has greatly improved over the last several decades, bringing the overall fatality rates down with it, motorcycle fatality rates have not declined. Although research is mixed on the effectiveness of texting/handheld bans for overall traffic fatalities, the study s findings indicate that motorcyclists are at elevated risk of being a victim of distracted driving and thus could greatly benefit from these policies. This result is driven mainly by multiple-vehicle crashes (e.g., car hitting motorcycle) as opposed to singlevehicle crashes, according to the research. According to the Insurance Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 16 states and the District of Columbia ban talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving while 38 states and D.C. restrict the use of all cellphones by inexperienced drivers. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 47 states and D.C. Every day about nine Americans are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in traffic crashes that involve distracted drivers, said the FAU study co-author Michael T. French, professor of health economics in the Miami Business School s Department of Health Management and Policy and an avid motorcycle rider. While our initial goal was to understand whether these laws save lives on the road, the broader application of our findings is even more powerful. French said he hopes the results will facilitate a more informed discussion between legislators, law enforcement officers, and the general public about distracted driving and traffic safety. Source:

11 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 11 22nd ANNUAL FREEDOM RIGHTS RALLY APRIL 14-15,2019 State Meeting Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2:00pm State Board Meeting Sunday, April 14 at Noon American Legion Hall S. Water St., Monticello, FL Directions to Hall: Go 2 blocks west of the Opera House on US 90, then turn west on Water Street. Go 1/2 mile to the Legion Hall Ride to the Capitol Monday, April 15, 2019 Kickstands up at 9:00am - Behind the Super 8 in Monticello Super 8 Monticello: 140 Pafford Rd., Monticello, FL Phone: Take I-10 to Exit 225 South on US 19. The hotel is located on the West side. Days Inn Monticello: 44 Woodworth Dr., Monticello, FL Phone: Take I-10 to Exit 225 South on US 19. The hotel is located on the East side. There are other hotels and campgrounds in the area. The two listed above offer discounts to ABATE members. Please make reservations early. Membership & Safety Information Available ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING AND RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE

12 Page 12 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr BILLS OF INTEREST HB 71: Traffic Offenses GENERAL BILL by McClain; Stevenson; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Slosberg; Stone Traffic Offenses; Provides criminal penalties for person who commits moving violation that causes serious bodily injury to or death of vulnerable road user; requires person to pay specified fine, serve minimum period of house arrest, & attend driver improvement course; requires court to revoke person's driver license for minimum specified period; defines "vulnerable road user". Effective Date: 7/1/2019 Last Action: 3/5/2019 House - Introduced Related bills SB 158 SB 158: Traffic Offenses GENERAL BILL by Baxley Traffic Offenses; Citing this act as the "Vulnerable Road User Act"; providing criminal penalties for a person who commits a moving violation that causes serious bodily injury to, or causes the death of, a vulnerable road user; requiring that the person pay a specified fine, serve a minimum period of house arrest, and attend a driver improvement course; requiring that the court revoke the person s driver license for a minimum specified period, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2019 Last Action: 3/5/2019 Senate - Introduced Related bills HB 71 HB 45: Use of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving GENERAL BILL by Slosberg; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Altman; Cortes; Eskamani; Massullo; Smith, C. Use of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving; Revises short title & legislative intent; prohibits operation of motor vehicle while holding or touching wireless communications device; provides exceptions; requires law enforcement officer to record certain information on citation; requires law enforcement agencies to provide such information to DHSMV; requires report to Governor & Legislature; removes requirement that enforcement be accomplished only as secondary action. Effective Date: 10/1/2019 Last Action: 1/10/2019 House - Withdrawn prior to introduction Related bills HB 107 & SB 76 HB 107: Use of Wireless Communications Devices while Driving GENERAL BILL by Toledo; Slosberg; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Beltran; Caruso; Casello; Cortes; Duran; Eskamani; Fitzenhagen; Gottlieb; Grieco; Hattersley; Jacobs; Joseph; Killebrew; Massullo; McClure; Overdorf; Polo; Polsky; Santiago; Smith, C.; Stark; Stevenson; Thompson; Tomkow; Watson, C.; Webb Use of Wireless Communications Devices while Driving; Revises short title & legislative intent; prohibits person from operating motor vehicle while using wireless communications device for purpose of nonvoice or voice interpersonal communication; redefines term "wireless communications device" to include voice communications; requires deposit of fines into Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund; removes provision requiring that enforcement be accomplished only as secondary action. Effective Date: 10/1/2019 Last Action: 3/5/2019 House - Introduced Related bills HB 45 & SB 76

13 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page BILLS OF INTEREST Continued CS/SB 76: Driving While Distracted GENERAL BILL by Simpson; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Passidomo; Hooper; Mayfield; Book; Rouson; Berman; Perry; Taddeo; Cruz Driving While Distracted; Designating the Florida Driving While Distracted Law ; defining the term driving while distracted ; prohibiting a person from operating a motor vehicle when driving while distracted; revising crash results for which a user s billing records for a wireless communications device or the testimony of or written statements from certain authorities are admissible as evidence, etc. Effective Date: Effective Date: Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2019 Last Action: 12/13/2018 Senate Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Innovation, Industry, and Technology; Judiciary; Rules Related bills HB 45 & HB 107 SB 108: Regulation of Concealed Weapons Licenses GENERAL BILL by Book; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Stewart Regulation of Concealed Weapons Licenses; Transferring the concealed weapons licensing program of the Division of Licensing of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to the Department of Law Enforcement by a type two transfer; creating the Concealed Weapons Licensing Program in the Department of Law Enforcement; redesignating the Department of Law Enforcement as the entity responsible for regulating, and collecting payments and fees from, concealed weapons licensing, etc. Effective Date: 1/1/2020 Last Action: 3/5/2019 Senate - Introduced Related bills None at this time HB 2001: Abate of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program APPROPRIATIONS PROJECT by McClain; Grall Abate of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program; Provides an appropriation for the Abate of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program. APPROPRIATION: $300, Effective Date: 7/1/2019 Last Action: 3/5/2019 House - Introduced Related bills None at this time HB 2001 Update from Darrin "Scribe" Brooks Tuesday, March 5, 2019 I just spoke with Doc who was up in Tally at the Committee meeting in support of HB He said that after the committee meeting they told him that HB 2001 is going to be put directly into the State Budget. It will NOT have to go through another committee on the House side. There is a chance that it could be looked at again when the House and Senate meet to combine the budget and make sure that all the numbers match. But that is a slim possibility of anything adverse happening then. The next step is on to the Governor. That, my friends, is anyone's guess... But better odds than with the last Governor.

14 Page 14 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 TEN BIG ISSUES TO WATCH DURING THE 2019 SESSION February 25, 2019 News Service Florida Jim Saunders TALLAHASSEE --- Florida lawmakers will gather March 5 in the House chamber to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis give his first State of the State address, the traditional start of the 60-day legislative session. Led by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, lawmakers this year will deal with myriad issues, ranging from passing a state budget to deciding whether to allow patients to smoke medical marijuana. Here are 10 big issues to watch during the session: BUDGET: DeSantis has proposed a $91.3 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, as he seeks to increase money for education and water-quality projects and trim taxes. But the DeSantis proposal is only a starting point for lawmakers, who will have their own priorities for state funding. Lawmakers also will grapple with recovery costs from Hurricane Michael, which devastated parts of Northwest Florida in October. ENVIRONMENT: After algae and red tide fouled waterways and coastal areas in Southeast Florida and Southwest Florida last year, DeSantis is making a priority of addressing water-quality issues. DeSantis has proposed a $625 million package that addresses Everglades restoration and other water-related issues. Lawmakers also are pushing bills that would deal with problems such as cleaning up the Indian River Lagoon. HEALTH CARE: Oliva and other House Republican leaders want to reduce regulations in the healthcare industry, arguing that taking more of a free-market approach would help hold down costs. The House is targeting a variety of issues, such as certificate of need regulations that help determine whether hospitals and other types of facilities can be built. DeSantis has touted a proposal aimed at allowing lower-cost prescription drugs to be imported from Canada. HURRICANE MICHAEL: Lawmakers face costly decisions as they look to help Northwest Florida recover from Hurricane Michael. Galvano said the state has already spent $1.13 billion responding to the October hurricane, and the total could go as high as $2.7 billion. The federal government is expected to reimburse many costs, but that will take time. The state also faces issues such as helping the region s severely damaged timber industry. INSURANCE: The insurance industry and business groups are lobbying heavily to make changes in the controversial insurance practice known as assignment of benefits, which involves policyholders signing over benefits to contractors. Insurers argue abuse and litigation are driving up property-insurance rates, while AOB supporters say the practice helps make sure insurers properly pay claims. A key part of the debate focuses on limiting attorney fees. MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Facing heavy pressure from DeSantis, lawmakers appear likely to end a ban on smoking medical marijuana. The ban, included in a 2017 medical-marijuana law, was found unconstitutional by a circuit judge, and DeSantis has threatened to drop an appeal if the Legislature does not eliminate the ban. It is less clear, however, whether lawmakers will address other medical-marijuana regulatory issues that have led to lawsuits. SCHOOL CHOICE: DeSantis and Senate leaders have outlined proposals that could lead to a major Continued on next page

15 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 15 expansion of school choice, including the creation of a voucher-type program that would be directly funded with tax dollars. The House has long supported such programs, as has new Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran. Democrats and teachers unions will fight the expansion, but Republicans control both legislative chambers and the governor s office. SCHOOL SAFETY: Just past the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, lawmakers will look again at revamping laws to boost school safety. The most-controversial issue will be a proposal to expand the school guardian program to allow trained classroom teachers to be armed. A state commission created last year recommended allowing armed teachers. SUPREME COURT: After taking office last month, DeSantis made three appointments that created a solid conservative majority on the Florida Supreme Court. The change could embolden the GOP-controlled Legislature, which in the past clashed with a more-liberal Supreme Court. As examples, lawmakers could expand taxpayer-funded school vouchers and cap attorney fees in workers compensation insurance cases --- issues that previously ran into Supreme Court roadblocks. TRANSPORTATION: Galvano has made clear that one of his top priorities will be highway projects that he says would help rural areas. The Senate president wants to extend the Suncoast Parkway toll road to go from the Tampa Bay region to the Georgia border; create a multi-use corridor, including a highway, from Polk County to Collier County; and extend the Florida Turnpike west from where it currently ends at Interstate 75. LAWMAKER WANTS NO TOLLS AMID TRAFFIC TIE-UPS February 25, 2019 NSF Staff Expressway officials would be encouraged to keep traffic flowing, under a bill filed Monday that would prohibit collecting tolls from motorists when traffic gets slow. The proposal (HB 1069) by Rep. Anthony Rodriguez, R-Miami, would prohibit expressway authorities from charging drivers when the average speed on a roadway falls below 40 mph. The freshman legislator s proposal --- filed for the 2019 legislative session, which begins March doesn t outline how the average speed would be calculated. A Senate version has not been filed. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME DIALED UP March 7, 2019 NSF Staff With daylight saving time starting Sunday, Florida s push for year-round daylight saving time is back for round two in Congress. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, all Florida Republicans, introduced the Sunshine Protection Act that seeks to make daylight saving time permanent across the country. The bill follows a 2018 Florida legislative effort to have year-round daylight saving time, with such a change requiring federal approval. A news release from Rubio and Buchanan touted the change as having health and economic benefits for the nation and said the bill would simply negate the need for Americans to change their clocks twice a year. A similar proposal failed to advance in 2018 in Washington. Since that time, a few other states, including California, have started to advance similar resolutions to what came out of the Florida Legislature in Reflecting the will of the state of Florida, I m proud to reintroduce this bill to also make daylight saving time permanent nationally, Rubio said in a prepared statement Wednesday

16 Page 16 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019

17 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 17 Corkscrew Country Store Corkscrew Rd. Estero FL Food Biker Games Vendors Live Music Bike Show Saturday March 16th 10 AM & 11 PM $10 Admission Fee Membership & Safety Info Available Contact: OR ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING AND RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTABLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE SOCI REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE STATE MEETING Hosted by: VINTAGE CHAPTER SATURDAY, JUNE 08, 2019 BOARD MEETING AT 12:00 NOON DELEGATE S MEETING AT 2:00 PM State Meeting will be held at: Willie Galimore Community Center 399 Riberia St. St. Augustine, FL (904) Directions: US-1 to King St., turn East to Riberia St., then turn South and Community Center will be on the left approx. 1 mile. Hotel Reservations can be made at: The Ponce Hotel 1111 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd (904) Prices $119 if made by May 7th, after that, cost goes up to $219 SAFETY AND MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE IMPORTANT Please take note Be sure to make your reservations for the June 2019 State Meeting early. There is a significant price increase if you book after May 7. ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING AND RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OB- TAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOM- MENDATION BY THE STATE

18 Page 18 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 CHAPTER INFORMATION DAYTONA BEACH PO Box Daytona Beach, FL Gene Lessig, Pres. (610) Alfy Fyock, VP (386) Website: Meetings: 1st Thursday, 7:30 pm Place: Eagles Lodge 190 S. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach, FL GATOR ALLEY PO Box Naples, FL Lynn Corr, Pres. (239) Scott Pignatiello, VP (239) Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday, 11:00 am Place: VFW Post Neffs Way, Naples, FL LIGHTHOUSE PO Box 4471 Tequesta, FL Marie Donovan, Pres (561) Millard Porter, VP (203) Meetings: 3rd Sunday; Noon Place: Ralph s Standup Bar 113 Center St., Jupiter, FL ESTERO RIVER PO Box Bonita Springs, FL Larry Peterson, Pres. (904) Shayne Hanley, VP (239) president@esteroriverabate.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 10:00 AM Place: San Carlos Country Club S. Tamiami Trail, Ft. Myers, FL GULF COAST PO Box 691 Cantonment, FL Gene Schirtzinger, Pres. (850) JL Gibson, VP (850) driver11@cox.net Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 10:00 am Place: American Legion Post Ashland Rd., Pensacola, FL PALM BEACH PO Box Lake Park, FL Curtis Alva, Pres (561) John "LB" Valiquette, VP (561) Website: palmbeach.abateflorida@gmail.com Meetings: 3rd Sunday 11:30 AM Place: VFW Post Broadway, Riviera Beach, FL FOREST PO Box 2409 Silver Springs, FL John Melin, Pres (352) Bridgette Place, VP (352) forest.abate@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 1st Saturday, 9:30 am Place: Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL HILLSBOROUGH PO Box Tampa, FL Richard Nasrallah, Pres. (813) James Sewell, VP (813) Fax: (813) hccabate@gmail.com Website: Meetings: Last Sunday, 11:00 am Place: Pole Barn 6921 Senoj Dr., Tampa, FL PEACE RIVER PO Box Murdoch, FL Bill Neal, Pres. (941) Bill Bird, VP (941) peaceriverabate@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday; 11:00 AM Place: American Legion Post Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL FREEDOM CHAPTER PO Box Brooksville, FL Robert Hotchkiss, Pres. (352) Ron Payne, VP. (352) ratt7x@yahoo.com Website: Meetings: 4th Sunday 10:00 am Place:American Legion Post # Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL LAKE COUNTY PO. Box 492 Astatula, FL Will Griz Deaver, Pres. (352) Russ Sharpe, VP. (352) Fax: (352) LakeAbatePresident@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday Noon Place: Lake County Eagles # Haywood Worm Farm Rd., Okahumpka POLK COUNTY PO Box 2743 Lakeland, FL Mark "Zman" Zinser, Pres. (863) Greg Vernon, VP (863) zmilkman57@aol.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday 1:00 PM Place: Boondocks 8185 US Hwy 98 North, Lakeland, FL USE CHANGE OF INFORMATION FORM AND SEND ALL CHAPTER CHANGES DIRECTLY TO THE STATE OFFICE Change of information forms can be found at

19 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 19 CHAPTER INFORMATION SEMINOLE PO Box 2004 Sanford, FL R.D. Reagan, Pres. (407) Jim Owens, VP (321) Website:Facebook: ABATE of Florida Inc. - Seminole County Chapter Meetings: 3rd Sunday; 10:00 am Place: Moose Lodge 2660 South Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL SOUTHEAST PO Box Ft. Lauderdale, FL John F. Rose II, Pres. (954) Robert Leavitt, VP (954) pres@abatese.us Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday; 10:00 am Place: Various locations in service area call Pres or VP for location SOUTHWEST PO Box Ft. Myers, FL Wayne Cerra, Pres. (239) Karl Bartling, VP (239) abateswc@yahoo.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Wednesday; 7:00 pm Place: The Shell Factory 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL TREASURE COAST PO Box 1360 Roseland, FL Steve Kliemisch, Pres. (772) Susan Hulce, VP (772) abatetreasurecoast@gmail.com Website: Meetings: Last Wednesday; 7:00 pm Place: American Legion Post Louisiana Ave., Sebastian, FL WEST COAST PO Box Sarasota, FL Mike Duffey, Pres. (904) Joe Hulgan, VP (941) myakkamike68@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 3rd Sunday, 11:00 am Place: American Legion Post N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL Membership Perk SOUTHERNMOST P.O. Box Marathon, FL Sandy MacLaren, Pres. (305) Marty Baird, VP (305) smabatevp@gmail.com Website: Meetings: 1st Sunday 11:00 AM Place: D.A.V 7280 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, FL VINTAGE PO Box St. Augustine, FL Sue Hedrick, Pres. (904) Marcus Hotelling, VP (321) vintageabate@hotmail.com Website: Meetings: Last Sunday; 3:00 pm Location: VFW Post US 1 South, St. Augustine, FL % Discount on all orders Use Promo code: KirtParkerLRS Like to shop?? Want to help ABATE?? Shop with Amazon Smile!! AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Simply go to Smile.Amazon.com and choose Abate of Florida Safety and Education Inc. from the list of charities. Thanks for your support!!

20 Page 20 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Mar/Apr 2019 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Masterlink Ad Form Advertiser Name: Advertiser Address: City: State: Zip: Phone Number (with area code): All rates show sales tax. Advertise in six consecutive issues of Masterlink and receive one issue of equal value advertising FREE Circle One Only Full Page - One Issue... $ Full Page - Seven Issues...$ /2 Page - One Issue... $ /2 Page - Seven Issues...$ /4 Page - One Issue... $ /4 Page - Seven Issues...$ Bus. Card - One Issue... $ Bus. Card - Seven Issues...$ Start Issue Date: Last Issue Date: No. Issues: Payment Type: YOU MUST SUPPLY CAMERA READY COPY. ATTACH CAMERA READY COPY BELOW Completed Ad Forms should be forwarded with full payment to: ABATE of Florida, Inc C/O Masterlink Editor DeLand, FL

21 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Page 21 ABATE of Florida, Inc. Individual Membership Application Chapter Desired Legal Name (Print) Address City State Zip Address Phone ( ) Registered Voter Yes No Do You Belong To Another Chapter? No Yes Name(s) Voter Districts: State House State Senate U.S. Congressional District Membership Status NEW $20 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP PER PERSON RENEWAL $600 LIFE MEMBERSHIP Signature Date Fill out this form and attach it to your check or money order (for $20.00 or $600.00) made payable to ABATE of Florida, Inc. and send it to the address below. All members receive with their paid membership, the Masterlink newsletter, membership card, event discounts and updates, voting privileges, free Masterlink classified ads and Chapter newsletter. YOU MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO BE A MEMBER OF ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL. C SIGN, DATE AND SEND TO: ABATE of Florida, Inc. C/O Membership DeLand, FL Change of Information Form B LEGAL NAME (Print) CHAPTER LIST ANY OTHER CHAPTERS YOU BELONG TO: OLD ADDRESS EXP. DATE CITY STATE ZIP NEW ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP ADDRESS PHONE ( ) REGISTERED VOTER YES NO VOTER DISTRICTS: STATE HOUSE STATE SENATE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REQUEST TRANSFER FROM TO Signature Date

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