Yesterday, Dec 3, 2009 at the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison, we presented prepared testimony on behalf of the MVPA and WI HMV owners for the HMV bill. The Wisconsin House transportation committee heard our presentation in favor of AB 592 “The Historic Military Vehicle Registration” bill.
The bill was introduced to the committee by Rep Ted Zigmunt, the bill sponsor. I presented testimony with Rep Zigmunt in favor of the bill and fielded questions from the committee. A representative from the state Dept of Transportation testified for the state in favor of the bill. The DOT thanked the HMV clubs for our cooperation in helping create the bill. They agreed that it will resolve registration issues for the state DMV and MV owners. That was a big help in our favor with the transportation committee members.
Several other MVPA members, veterans and non veterans spoke in favor and presented photos as examples of HMV’s being used in recent parades honoring veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The turn out of supporters for the bill was small, being a weekday and on short notice, and we were the last item on the long committee agenda. The committee chair thanked us for providing a factual presentation and keeping to the topic.
There were about 4 people who spoke as individuals and were against the bill. The individuals testifying against the bill sighted their views that the state was infringing on their “rights” to be able to register any surplus military vehicle and be allowed to use them without restriction for any private or commercial purpose.
The MVPA provided handout packages for the committee members that included recent issues of Army Motors and Supply Line. Numerous committee members who were not familiar with HMV’s told me after the meeting that the Supply Line and Army Motors periodicals were a great help in understanding what the HMV movement is about. The magazines and photos really had a great deal of visual impact with the committee and supported our case.
Having completed the hearing, the transportation committee will consider AB592 in their next committee meeting and are expected to approve it “without amendment” which will clear it to move to a floor vote in late January.
Before the meeting we did discuss asking for an amendment to clarify and expand the “vehicle use restriction” part of the bill. Our legislators cautioned against doing that. Explaining that the more vague the restriction is, the better for HMV owners. The old phrase “be careful what you ask for” was mentioned. Asking to change the bill now we are told, could case the existing co sponsors to question the changes and withdraw support. Based on earlier input from a few MV owners, I considered asking for a change, in the end I decided not risk the bill and to keep the bill as is. I really believe the bill “as is” will meet our needs. We also confirmed that if occasional use is a problem for owners in the future, we can amend the bill later. A future amendment if needed will be easier than trying to “over guess” issues that are not likely to cause problems for owners right now.
Several HMV owners asked the DOT rep privately about the same issue following the meeting. The DOT rep also confirmed again that the “necessary maintenance and testing” wording means you can take an occasional drive with the grandkids on a summer evening just don’t use it as daily transportation.
The next step will be a similar hearing for the Senate transportation committee where we have also secured sponsorships and will introduce the same bill in the next few weeks. I’m trying to meet with the Senate sponsor next week in Green Bay.
The bill could go to the state legislature for a floor vote in the general winter session starting in late January.
