General Cycling Discussion - Vermont "bicycle tax?"

I was reading about North Dakota "bicycle tax" on the forums. This gave me the idea to search my state legislature's web site for "bicycle." I wasn't expecting to find what I did:


VERMONT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- First Reading: 01/14/2003

§ 1136a. BICYCLE REGISTRATION

(a) Bicycles used on public highways by persons over 15 years of age shall be registered. The annual fee shall be $15.00. The fee for one month shall be $8.00. Registrations may be issued by any town clerk or by anyone selling bicycle touring services within the state. Registration stickers shall be supplied by the department of motor vehicles. The person issuing the registration shall retain $1.00 and remit the balance to the department of motor vehicles.


Status of bill:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0003&Session=2004
Text of bill:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2004/bills/intro/H-003.HTM


I don't know about other Vermont bicyclists, but I'm certainly not going to fork over $15/yr PER BIKE! :eek: Anyone on a bicycle tour through Vermont would also conceivably have to pay $15 per bike per year or $8 per bike per month.

The bill is currently in the State House of Representatives. It looks like it has gone to the House Transportation Commitee.

I will write to my representatives and notify the local bicycling club and pedestrian/bike coalition. Any other ideas? What do you think of this bill?

Try notifying the tourist association in the hope that they have a strong lobby. Deterring a non-polluting and congestion-reducing activity like cycling will hurt Vermont's reputation as a state with a progressive government. Tourists go there in part becuse of that reputation of being different.

This is not the first time VT has wanted to tax bicyclists, In the past VT wanted to collect a tax from the bicycle touring companies for each rider on one of there tours. The state said they needed the tax to maintain the roads and the extra cost of having the cyclists on the roads.

Dose anyone know an E-mail address for Representative Miller of Elmore?
Who and how would this be enforced?
And if passed how would the money collected be used?
If VT passes this bill would you avoid VT as a vaction spot?

You definitely want to get the word out quickly, as it is much easier to shoot down impending legislation than repeal existing legislation. In your locale I believe you can contact:
http://www.vtbikeped.org/

This bill looks like another attempt to suck money out of a demographic group deemed unlikey to protest. I wonder who sponsored the bill? His/her name needs to be made known to all who will speak out on this issue. Make sure that sponsoring legislator hears of your displeasure, as well as the one who represents your district. They won't pay much attention to you as one person, but they will perk up if they sense a number of people are going to make noise... and vote.

Oh, I see...

"The person issuing the registration shall retain $1.00 and remit the balance to the department of motor vehicles."

So $14.00 per bike will goto the department of motor vehicles.

Originally posted by bentbaggerlen
This is not the first time VT has wanted to tax bicyclists, In the past VT wanted to collect a tax from the bicycle touring companies for each rider on one of there tours. The state said they needed the tax to maintain the roads and the extra cost of having the cyclists on the roads.

Dose anyone know an E-mail address for Representative Miller of Elmore?
Who and how would this be enforced?
And if passed how would the money collected be used?
If VT passes this bill would you avoid VT as a vaction spot? Here is a list of email address including mr.miller http://www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/e-mail2.cfm?Body=H

Originally posted by bentbaggerlen
Oh, I see...

"The person issuing the registration shall retain $1.00 and remit the balance to the department of motor vehicles."

So $14.00 per bike will goto the department of motor vehicles.

Somehow that fails to surprise me.

Vermont has a tremendous number of bike tourists, I understand. Guess, it is like a tourist tax.. Vermont cyclists would be really screwed.. I am in agreement with Chris.. Cycling need be encouraged, it saves the state money...
I just pose the question, if it makes bikes truly equal in rights to cars? That would cost me $60 a year. Wow...! Robin WIlliams has over 70 bikes. That would be over $1,000.....Wonder how much car registrations are in Vermont.. ? As a kid my bike had to be registered with my city..
Vermont is supposedly one of the Most environmental friendly states...?

Somehow that fails to surprise me.
Chris-- I agree. It doesn't make much sense for the bicycle $$$ to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles !

Here's the latest: I received the following e-mails from the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition (http://www.vtbikeped.org) :


Thanks for the heads up. We have formulated a position on H.003. It's in our
developing web site:

http://www.vtbikeped.org/beta/what/H3-registration.htm

************
Web Team
VBPC

Check out the above web site; they have outlined many arguments against the bill.
Next I received this:


I spoke with Representative Miller and with Frank Mazur, the chair of the House
Committee on Transportation.

Miller said that he submitted H.003 because many of his constituents asked him
to do something about all those bicycles on the road not paying their way. His
wife is a bicyclist and is opposed to the bill.

Frank Mazur told us that Rep. Miller did not appear to speak about the bill
when it was presented before his committee. So it doesn't look as if this bill
is going anywhere this session.

We continue to keep our eyes open. We especially appreciate your eyes on the
legislative calendar. If you see other bills that we should know about, please
let us know.

********
Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition
Vermont is still safe for unregistered bicyclists... for now! :beer:

Almost every state in the country is reeling in budget deficits. I suspect Vermont won't have an anti-cycling pig as obnoxious as North Dakotas'?
Since Vermont is very dependent upon tourist dollars- I suspect this is the motivation? Get the tourists?So many bike touring companies advertise bike tours of Vermont...
My point, If New Hampshire requires a bike registration, it interferes with inter-state commerce if Vermont taxes that same auto/bike, upon entering that state ?
The only way states can tax a vehicle and require that state's second license- if you are employed with that second state... Hope other BF forum members from VT. will follow up with this story...
Biker Teen. Miller must have cyclist constituents.. Vt. cycling advocates from there, need join with Miller's wife and give Miller a piece of their minds...

Ok e-mail to Warren_Miller wmiller@leg.state.vt.us_also send a copy to the Sargent at arms sgtatarms@leg.state.vt.us. Hmmm....
Maybe a copy to evry Representative on the e-mail list.


"Miller said that he submitted H.003 because many of his constituents asked him to do something about all those bicycles on the road not paying their way. His wife is a bicyclist and is opposed to the bill."

Hello? Gee last time "we" toured Vt we staied in B&B's bought food, paid sales tax etc. 12 people 6 tandems, maybe next time we will ride on the other side of the CT river....

States come up with some unbelivable ways to steal....opps make money. Right now CT. is thinking of setting up Toll booths outside of the two Indian Casinos in the state and charging an exit toll of $10 per car, if it happens it could rase as much as $230 million a year. Never been to the casinos...

Originally posted by bentbaggerlen

"Miller said that he submitted H.003 because many of his constituents asked him to do something about all those bicycles on the road not paying their way.

FWIW, check out some of the counter arguments raised in the other bicycle tax thread (the one in ND). It will expose this political stunt for what it really is.

What would you expect from a state that continually elects a socialist to The House Of Represenatives(Bernie Sanders)?

From the Vermont Legislature directory

Republican- Miller, Warren , P.O. Box 1 , Lake Elmore, VT 05657 888-2296
E-Mail:
wmiller@leg.state.vt.us
warrenmiller@pshift
Fax: 888-
Heah People. The face of evil..! Just kidding .

I tried to copy Warren Miller's biography from the Vermont Directory. Won't duplicate..(Acrobat) says of Elmore,Vt. . Lamoille County. A Republican born Morrisville, VT. Dec. 31, 1958.Lived there since 1983 Is a Realtor and Owner of The Elmore Store.. Educated at "People Academy," and married to Kathy Miller with one daughter..Member of Elmore School board.. a fire warden and Policeman..A Methodist.. Member of Fish and game club.. Member Vermont Grocers Assoc.. Home phone.. 888-2296. PO address - PO Box 1, Lake Elmore, VT.. 05657


Any cyclist in Lake Elmore other than Kathy?

LOL, Morrisville, VT. My Dad and Step Dad grew up with him. And went to school with him. I asked my Grandmother if she rembers the Miller family. She said they had this odd child... Hmmmm, could it be? Nah..

I sent a letter to other members of the Lamille County Legislative delegation.. Guess the issue is dead. Better to respond and let someone know we are watching.. Vermont is too awesome a state to loose our cycling access to..

Hmmmm....

I might just send a e-mail myself this weekend (I won't really get time to think about it before then). Perhaps something along the lines of "I was really thinking about a cycling holiday in Vermont, but now I'm not so sure." Suggestions?

Email.... They work.. I suspect the traditional snail mail has more punch... When concerning N. Dakota- I did email officials in the State tourism office..
Vermont is snail mailed co-legislators of Milller.. See if either method gets me a written response..
Email I think legislators use sort of like a polling technique, maybe 'No response required,"