As of 4:15pm this afternoon (Feb. 28) 2SubHB49 has passed the Senate on Second and, with Suspension of the Rules, Third Reading. It now will go to the House for concurrence. The bill is listed as a budget priority of the Senate and will be included in tomorrow's Senate "Bill of Bills" where Senate budget perogatives are bundled. Only in a few times in the history of the legislature has the House fussed with such bundling sent over. So the fat lady is about to sing and we can then celebrate. The story: 1.John Weis and friends put together HB49 with Roz McGee. 2. Roz McGee shepherds the bill through the House Law Enforcement Committee with significant amendment. Hard and fast 3 ft. is eliminated to a driver "knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly" passing a bicyclist. 3. We all catch on that leaves invadable space for the driver for safety reasons. But it is "Take it or leave it." 4. The bill passes the House by a large majority with several of the members testifying in its favor. 5. The bill goes to Senate Rules Committee where it disappears for over a week. Word is that Senators, including Curt Bramble, are holding it because of concerns with the 3 ft. provision. 6. John Weis lobbys Bramble. I lobby Bramble. Bramble thought Weis may be behind several nasty emails he had been getting. Not true, so when I meet with Bramble he has cooled off and becomes very supportive. Bramble explains he is a rider and knows the dangers from an accident he was in. He offers to fund the bill $20k to be matched with federal funds through the Highway Patrol. 7. Bramble substitutes 1HB49 with 2HB49. Here's the language: Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: 27 Section 1. Section 41-6a-706.5 is enacted to read: 28 41-6a-706.5. Operation of motor vehicle near bicycle prohibited. (emphasis not added) 29 An operator of a motor vehicle may not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly operate 30 a motor vehicle within three feet of a moving bicycle, unless the operator of the motor vehicle 31 operates the motor vehicle within a reasonable and safe distance of the bicycle. *(I added emphasis and asterik) 32 Section 2. Appropriation. (emphasis not added) 33 There is appropriated from the General Fund for fiscal year 2005-06, a one-time 34 appropriation of $20,000 to the Utah Highway Patrol for a public education campaign to 35 promote bicycle safety. *Note: (My comment) Bramble believes that his new 3 ft. language will protect a rider from someone going say ninety and passing even 4 or 5 feet from a rider. If Bramble is right, we actually did get much of what we sought with an absolute 3 ft. rule and maybe more. (See embolded above) Of course such things get settled in courts of law but his new language appears to leave enough in question to be hopeful and it appears better than just the first phrase that came out of the House. 8. The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee reports the bill out unanimously. 9. The bill gets special treatment on the floor with Senator Bramble working with Senate President John Vallentine to gain a unanimous vote and a place on the Bill of Bills. Chances of the bill not passing now are about the same as a Great Salt Lake Tsunami. But wait until the fat lady sings! We Got a whole lot more than we hoped. Again, thank Rep. Roz McGee at rmcgee@xmission.com and Sen. Curt Bramble at Cbramble@UtahSenate.org and jvalentine@UtahSenate.org. And, please, if you know anyone still sending nasties to Senator Bramble, explain to them he is a hero and not a goat. He has signed on to also be a bicycle hero in the future.