HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1660

BYRepresentatives Meyers, Walk, Vekich, S. Wilson, Gallagher, Fisher, Hankins, Cantwell, Cooper, Day and Unsoeld

Establishing a motorcycle skills program.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (24)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Doty, Fisher, Fox, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jacobsen, Jones, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, D. Sommers, Sutherland, Todd, Vekich, K. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Robin Rettew (786-7306)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION FEBRUARY 5, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The motorcycle safety education program is a nationally accredited program which is funded from endorsement fees and instruction permits.  Only motorcyclists 18 or under are required to take the state-run motorcycle safety education program, although the course is open to, and recommended for, all riders.  Only 1.5% of all endorsed motorcycle riders have taken the course.

Drivers who ride motorcycles are required to pass an exam in order to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.  $4.00 of both new endorsements and renewals is dedicated to the Motorcycle Safety Education Account for the motorcycle safety program.  The $2.50 motorcycle instructor's permit is also dedicated to the Motorcycle Safety Education Account for the motorcycle safety program.

The course costs between $60.00 and $125.00, depending upon its location. The cost of the course is covered by the fees students pay to take the class.  The state does not collect the course fees; they go directly to the instructor to defray the teacher's expenses.  The cost of the class is determined by the Department of Licensing.

Instructors are required to teach a minimum of one class per year.  The class is sixteen hours.

State expenditures are for the cost of books, program administration in Olympia, insurance for the program, program promotion, teacher training, etc.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The cost of the motorcycle safety education program is standardized at $30.00 per pupil across the state.  The state will subsidize the actual cost of the class, which is between $60.00 and $125.00.

The endorsement fee is increased by $1.00.

All instructors are required to teach a minimum of three classes per year in order to maintain their teaching eligibility.

The course will be a minimum of 12 hours, but no longer than 16 hours.

A biennial report is required.

Private donations are to be deposited in the Motorcycle Safety Account.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The course is set at a minimum of 12 hours and no longer than 16.  Instructors are required to teach a minimum of three, rather than six, courses per year to maintain their teaching eligibility.  The provision for minimal or low-cost personal injury protection insurance coverage is deleted.  Appropriation language is deleted.  Also added are a $1.00 endorsement fee increase, a provision for receipt of private donations, and biennial reporting requirements.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Don Mapp, Department of Licensing; Bob Boyle, Motorcycle Advisory Board; Mark Tostberg, Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor; Kathleen Seeley, Motorcycle Advisory Board; Robin Torner, ABATE of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Only 1.5 percent of all endorsed motorcycle riders have taken the state's motorcycle safety and education course because it is too expensive.  This bill reduces and standardizes the course fee statewide.  More motorcyclists will take the class, and there will be safer drivers as a result.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.