Thank you to all the Virginia DZO's and jumpers that tried so hard...... USPA thank you so much for the time and hard work... One day
On Monday, March 8, the Virginia Senate’s Courts of Justice Committee finally considered and voted on House Bill 584. Despite forceful advocacy by Delegate Bill Janis (the bill’s sponsor) and testimony by USPA staff, the committee voted to “PBI” (Pass By Indefinitely) the bill. This effectively kills the bill for this year. The leading senate voice against the bill was very concerned that approval of such a bill for skydiving would begin the “slippery slope” for other outdoor activities to request the same treatment from the general assembly. Delegate Janis argued that our bill was modeled on an equine bill that was passed by the general assembly 15 years ago, with no other similar requests in the interim. Another senator questioned why skydiving businesses could not get insurance coverage and questioned why the state should assist a “dangerous activity.” USPA’s Director of Government Relations gamely responded with statistics and a description of skydiving safety standards and practices. Finally, a motion to PBI was made, seconded and voted.
USPA deeply appreciates its Virginia members who contacted their Virginia delegates and state senators over the past several weeks. Without the support of concerned skydivers, the bill would not have proceeded as far as it did.
Larry Pennington
Teach by the way you live
www.skydivesuffolk.com
