HB 267 – Require Safety Helmets/Under 21

Primary Sponsor: Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston)

Bill Summary

A more accurate title of this bill would be “Repeal Helmets for Individuals Over 21”.

The bill states that any person over the age of 21 may operate a motorcycle if the operator has held a motorcycle license for more than 12 months or if the operator has successfully completed the course of instruction offered by the Motorcycle Safety Instruction Program.

The bill states that a passenger over the age 0f 21 could also ride a motorcycle without a helmet.

The bill states that any person violating this section shall pay a fine of $25.50.

Bill Movement

This bill was filed on March 5, 2019.

This bill was referred to the following House Committees:

  • Transportation
    • scheduled to be heard on April 2, 2019, and pulled from calendar
    • This bill was heard on April 9, 2019. The bill sponsor motioned for a favorable report. Division was called on this vote which required a hand vote. The vote was 10-10. The bill must pass by a majority vote. Therefore, the bill failed on the favorable report vote.
    • This bill was heard again in House Transportation on Apri 25, 2019. The bill passed on a favorable report with a vote of 14-12.
  • Health
    • This bill was given this committee referral on April 25, 2019.
    • Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) offered an amendment to increase the age to 25.
    • The bill was motioned for a favorable report and failed on a a voice vote.
    • After this, the bill was motioned for an  unfavorable report and failed on a voice vote.
      • This bill was is now dead for this session.
  • Rules