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Posted January 22, 2004
Fighting for Biker’s rights in Madison on January 22, 2004. Attorney Michael F. Hupy, second from left, founder of ABATE of Wisconsin Tony Sanfelipo, far right, State Representative, Kitty Rhoades of the 30 Assembly District and Dave Dwyer, behind Rhoades, ABATE of Wisconsin Legislative Director were among the many bikers and legislators interested in passing AB 455 out of committee.
On January 22, 2004, Attorney Michael Hupy and one of his accident investigators, Tony Pan Sanfelipo, spent the day speaking to lawmakers about AB455.
Urging the legislators to support the measure, Attorney Hupy explained the nuances of the bill and how a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling was punitive and unfair to injured motorcyclists. After testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, SB223, the Senate version of the bill, moved out of committee with a favorable vote and the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 23-9.
ABATE of Wisconsin scheduled a lobby day in Madison on January 22, 2004. Guiding members to representative’s offices and assisting first time visitors to the Capitol, ABATE Legislative Director, Dave Dwyer, met with Attorney Hupy to discuss some questions raised by certain legislators. Hupy then visited each of the legislators with concerns and answered their questions or explained some of the legal points or problems the current situation could cause injured motorcyclists. Part of the strategy of the day was to gain support among the lawmakers to urge Representative Mark Gundrum to move AB455 out of committee for a vote. Word reached Dave Dwyer that morning that Gundrum, the chairperson of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, agreed to do just that. Until the lobby day, the bill was stalled in the committee because Gundrum was not in favor of it.
Attorney Hupy spoke to nine Assembly members and three Senators about this legislation. He was in the Capitol from nine o’clock in the morning until five in the afternoon. His efforts were greatly appreciated by ABATE and the lawmakers he spoke to. AB455 should be voted on very soon. If passed, it will be a major victory for justice for injured motorcyclists in Wisconsin. Sanfelipo is the founder of ABATE of Wisconsin, and is a full-time accident investigator at Michael F. Hupy & Associates, S.C.