Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/26/11, 95-2.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 4/9/11, 49-0.

House Concurred.

Passed House: 4/14/11, 97-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Suspends temporarily certain provisions related to motorcycle equipment standards and helmet use with respect to the operation of motorcycles on closed roads during a parade or public demonstration that has been permitted by a local jurisdiction.
Allows certain special license plates that are currently issued to only passenger vehicles to be issued to motorcycles.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Billig, Vice Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Asay, Eddy, Finn, Jinkins, Johnson, Klippert, Kristiansen, McCune, Moeller, Morris, Moscoso, Overstreet, Reykdal, Rivers, Rodne, Ryu, Shea, Takko, Upthegrove and Zeiger.

Background:

The Chief of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) may temporarily suspend the following provisions with respect to the operation of motorcycles in connection with a parade or public demonstration:

With certain exceptions, it is unlawful for a person to operate a motorcycle, moped, or motor-driven cycle that does not meet certain equipment standards for mirrors and windshields. However, certain older and antique motorcycles are exempt from the mirror requirements.
Motorcycle riders must meet certain requirements in terms of riding position in relation to permanent seats and foot pegs, and operators are prohibited from carrying passengers unless there is proper seating for the passenger.
Motorcycles must meet requirements for handlebar height.
With certain exceptions, it is unlawful for a person to operate a motorcycle, moped, or motor-driven cycle unless he or she is wearing a helmet.
It is unlawful to transport a child under the age of 5 on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. A governmental or nonprofit organization seeking to sponsor a special plate either makes an application with the Special License Plate Review Board or requests legislation to create the special plate. Generally, the organization seeking to sponsor the special plate is required to reimburse the DOL for the costs of establishing the new special plate. After the DOL is reimbursed for the costs, the revenue generated from the plate goes into an account for the benefit of an organization that supports a particular cause or institution.

The DOL may issue some types of special license plates to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers while other special plate types are restricted to certain vehicle types. Every special license plate may be issued to passenger vehicles.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Certain provisions related to motorcycle equipment standards and helmet use are temporarily suspended with respect to the operation of motorcycles on closed roads during a parade or public demonstration that has been permitted by a local jurisdiction.

The DOL may issue to motorcycles certain special license plates that are currently issued to only passenger vehicles.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) When a local jurisdiction grants permission for a parade, there is already permission for the participants to use vehicles that do not comply with safety standards. Motorcycle operators should be treated the same as people using floats and cars in parades. Motorcyclists should not have to get permission twice, once through the permit granted for the parade and once from the Chief of the WSP or chief of police. In the past, a few local jurisdictions have told motorcyclists participating in parades that it is okay with the local jurisdiction for the riders to not wear helmets, but motorcyclists do not want to break the law. They would prefer to work with the local jurisdiction, especially because the WSP has said it will never grant permission to violate safety and equipment standards. The language being added to Senate Bill 5185 is language they agree with. It adds that the safety and equipment standards for motorcycles are suspended in connection with a parade or demonstration that is properly authorized and takes place on a closed road.

(In support with suggestions) When a road is closed for a parade, traffic infractions are generally not enforced on the road. While the WSP will never say it is okay to not wear helmets, if the requirements are suspended, it should be done only when a local jurisdiction closes the road under a parade permit. The WSP will never grant permission to suspend safety and equipment standards for motorcycles because they do not want the liability.

(Opposed) None.