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Funding language would block lead law

Language written into a federal funding bill would stop the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using government funding to enforce lead-content limits on kids’ ATVs and dirt bikes.

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), who introduced the Kids Just Want to Ride Act earlier this year, inserted the language into the House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, according to the American Motorcyclist Association.

“While I’m working on a permanent fix to get rid of this dangerous regulation, my appropriations language will buy more time,” Rehberg said.

The bill provides annual funding for several federal government agencies, including the CPSC, which would enforce the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. If the House adopts the language, it would have to be approved by the Senate before moving to President Barack Obama for passage into law.

“This language is an important step in efforts to lift the ban on the sale of kid-sized dirtbikes and ATVs imposed by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. America’s young riders need to be able to ride appropriately sized machines to help them stay safe. If those machines aren’t available, then they may ride bigger machines that may be difficult for them to control,” AMA president and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Small businesses that sell small off-highway vehicles also suffer under the CPSIA. For the safety of children, and for the health of small businesses, the AMA strongly urges the adoption of this language.”

The AMA is encouraging members to contact their lawmakers to support the language in the bill as well as the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. Contact information for members of Congress can be found at http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/issueslegislation.

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