SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESB 5101

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 1993

Brief Description:  Adjusting certain motorcycle‑related fees.

SPONSORS: Senator Vognild

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Drew, Haugen, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, and Winsley.

Staff:  Roger Horn (786‑7839)

Hearing Dates: February 17, 1993

BACKGROUND:

To operate a motorcycle, individuals must have a driver license and a motorcycle endorsement, which requires passage of a motorcycle examination.  The fee for an initial motorcycle endorsement is $6, plus $2 to cover the cost of the examination.  A renewal endorsement, required every four years, costs $7.50.  Revenue from motorcycle endorsements is placed in the motorcycle safety education account.

Since 1983, the Department of Licensing has provided motorcycle skills education courses for novice and advanced motorcycle drivers.  People under 18 years of age must complete a motorcycle safety education course to qualify for a motorcycle endorsement.  The price of the courses is capped at $30.  Additional costs of $130 to $150 per student for the basic course are covered by revenue from the motorcycle safety education account.

In 1992, 2,787 students took the basic motorcycle skills education course and another 683 students took experienced rider courses.

SUMMARY:

The price of a renewal motorcycle endorsement is increased from $7.50 to $14.  The maximum price that can be charged to students for a DOL-sponsored motorcycle skills education course is increased from $30 to $50.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Funding is needed for the motorcycle safety education program to meet demand for its safety courses.  Seven hundred people will not receive training this year for lack of funds.  The training provided through the program makes riding safer, especially for teenagers and other inexperienced riders.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Research has not shown motorcycle safety programs to be effective.  States without training programs have similar accident rates to states with training programs.  Motorcycle endorsement fees paid by all riders should not be increased to support this program.

TESTIFIED:  Dean Morgan, Motorcycle Industry Council (pro); Robert Brooks, private citizen (pro); Gary Sorenson, Puget Sound Motorcycle Education (pro); Mike Leibold, Washington State Motorcycle Dealers Association (pro); Gary Lawson, Motorcycle Awareness for the New Driver (pro); Doug Bartram, Washington State Motorcycle Safety and Education Advisory Board (pro); Sherry Meserve, Women on Wheels (pro); J.D. Miller, Gold Wing Road Riders Association (pro); Robin Torner, Desert Drifters, AMA No. 27 (con)