Dear Sirs:

I would like to thank you for your both your service and dedication to consumer product safety.

I would also like to thank you for this opportunity to comment on both your proposed rules and the "real world impacts" of the CPSIA.

I am in support of the proposed rule regarding the consideration of exclusion requests. I know navigating these requests takes both time and resources as well as input from various sources.

I would also like to take this opportunity to confirm that through the website www.tomself.com we have forwarded approximately fifty thousand ( 50,000 ) e-mails on behalf of approximately fifty thousand ( 50,000 ) individuals to the commission regarding issues concerning small power sports units. These e-mails were generated through one website in just one week indicating a massive nation wide concern both practical as well as economic. I have also been informed of other efforts across the country that you may be aware of that also speak to the concern of citizens.

There are untold hundreds of thousands of units, some of which consumers have borrowed significant amounts of money on, that simple parts are now unavailable for. This in many cases renders the unit inoperable or not safely operable. If parts are not available that would enable the machine to be operated in a safe manner, this I'm sure would be of an interest to the commission. There seems to be a belief that if parts are not available people simply won't ride. That, I believe, may not be the case. If parts are not readily available, people may be tempted to go beyond normal maintenance and repair guidelines resulting in an improperly performing machine. Some machines may require some wear parts to be replaced in as little as 10 hours of use. There is also a concern operators may try to operate improperly sized units if properly sized units are not readily available.

According to an article in USA Today ( 2-17-09 page 3 ) it appears we are looking at an immediate lockdown that may exceed $100 million worth of current inventory affecting a $14.5 billion per year industry employing approximately 124,000 people.

I may be mis-informed but it appears a bill aimed at protecting small children from small toys has inadvertently gone awry. Children's hands rest on rubber grips, their feet are in boots or other footwear, and any other body part is isolated from the unit itself as well. It certainly is not a normal practice for a child to lick or ingest a motorcycle or a part nor do infants ride. While I may appreciate the intent of the bill I also recognize the commission's ability to do exemptions and waivers as it deems fit and I certainly believe there is reasonable evidence for such in this case.

Thank you both for your consideration in this matter as well as allowing me to comment on it. I know you have a difficult job ahead of you and I certainly wish you the best in your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Tom Self
State Representative - District 116
State of Missouri