State Charter Goals
1)… To initiate, endorse and sponsor educational programs such as rider safety, public awareness, legislative and affirmative action and individual freedoms and rights.
2)… To create and promote a positive
public image of motorcyclists and motorcycle groups and to dispel and disprove media hype, unfounded propaganda and the “Hollywood” image.
3)… To encourage goodwill and mutual understanding among motorcyclists, law enforcement personnel and the general public.
4)… To serve as an information source on
matters pertaining to current laws, pending legislation, personal rights, political inclinations of elected officials and their constituents, and voter awareness.
5)… To act as a central responsive agency to devise and coordinate recreational, legislative, educational, and charitable activities.
From The State Director
Happy 4th of July or as we know in S E Georgia. National Blow Crap Up Day. Seriously folks think about what our country has been through over the years. Think about our freedom and what we have. Compared to other countries. Now think about how our freedom are being restricted by our governments. If you love the freedom to ride your motorcycle without restricted laws. You need to support your local ABATE districts and join up. It’s a never-ending battle to keep our rights and freedom as motorcyclist. I’ve heard people say what has ABATE done for me?
The bigger question is, what have you done for ABATE?
When a law gets thrown our way against motorcycles, first thing you hear, what is ABATE doing about it? Look into the mirror as a rider, are you looking at yourself as someone concerned about the law or the over reach of governments jeopardizing your right and freedoms. We have district’s that have become inactive; however, members still maintain their membership. If this is you, step up to get your district back to an active state. Be a doer and not a complainer! You should support the organization that is out here working for you by protecting your rights. Everyone be safe out there, keep your heads on a swivel for the cagers. Because they are not looking out for you.
David “Junkyard” Jackson
State Director
The Latest on Legislation
As reported previously, the period between sessions at the Capitol is a difficult time to make progress in our mission. That being said, most folks that know me realize that I am persistent, and I will continue pursuing the Representatives and Senators that have helped us in that past, and I hope to have their assistance in the future.
From a phone conversation on June 2nd, Representative Solomon Adesanya (District 43, Marietta) and I had a chance to discuss upcoming plans for our Anti-Profiling bill. While I was (and am) eager to work on this as well as the “Dead-Red” bill, in preparation for bringing up lane-filtering legislation, Representative Adesanya at this time informed me to “pick one” that he can focus on directly. At this point I opted to focus on the anti-profiling bill as it is truly an ABATE bill; we wrote it, we brought it to the House, etc. The others will have many more players involved, and I can present ABATE’s stand on those in the future.
Please note: the bill numbers that follow are current numbers; these bills will receive new numbering when presented in the next session (Jan 2026).
HB 705; Anti-profiling bill: this will go before the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. I have spoken with Rep. Adesanya on June 2 and on June 18 regarding an opportunity to meet with the Chairman of that committee, Clint Crowe, sometime in the near future, well in advance of the next session starting. I am optimistic about the meeting, as it will give me the chance to explain that this bill is in no way intended to restrict Police authority or capabilities. This is our “foot-in-the door: bill to let them know what ABATE is about. I hope to have details of my meeting with Representative Crowe in the next newsletter.
Also good news: the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee includes Representatives Powell and Ridley, both of whom have assured me of their support.
HB 461, the Motorcycle Mobility Safety Act (aka dead red bill): this has many more pieces and players involved. Even so, I plan on speaking to the Motor Vehicle Committee chair John Corbett again to have a seat at an upcoming hearing of the committee. I have a series of talking points and data regarding the safety factors and reasoning behind this bill that has been compiled and shared through MRF and other motorcycle interests. Luckily, Representatives Powell and Ridley also serve on this committee! Also on the committee is Rep. Dewey McClain, who has worked with ABATE in the past.
As mentioned, I have every intention of having the topic of Lane Filtering become a major aspect of our legislative work, again presenting the safety & traffic reducing features thereof. This will take considerable time and education, not just education of the state legislators, but of law enforcement and the public as well. This will undoubtedly be a major undertaking for all of us in order to be successful. I am excited about the upcoming challenges and looking forward to continuing to serve ABATE and my fellow riders.
Regarding my personal progress since the accident of last August: I am continuing to heal; using a cane at this time, still with a lot of foot healing to go. I also will have left shoulder replacement surgery upcoming; no specific date has been set. The biggest news is that I’m able to drive again! Finally regaining a little independence. Not back on two wheels yet, but give it time…
Still riding for our rights,
Alex “Nomad” Damon
Newsletter Editor's Note
