HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2434

                      As Passed House:

                      February 11, 1998

Title:  An act relating to motorcycle handlebars.

Brief Description:  Increasing maximum height for motorcycle handlebars.

Sponsors:  Representatives Pennington, Delvin, Mielke and L. Thomas.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  1/28/98, 2/2/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/11/98, 80-15.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Mielke, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Backlund; Cairnes; Chandler; Constantine; DeBolt; Gardner; Hatfield; Johnson; McCune; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Radcliff; Robertson; Romero; Scott; Skinner; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Cooper, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Sterk.

Staff:  Mary McLaughlin (786-7309).

Background:  The maximum height for motorcycle handlebars or grips was established in 1967 at no more than 15 inches higher than the seat or saddle.  One of two standards is usually used by the states in establishing the maximum height of the handlebars:  (1) a maximum number of inches high measured from the seat, or (2) established at a height that is no higher than the shoulders of the operator.

Summary of Bill:  The maximum legal height for motorcycle handlebars or grips is increased from 15 inches to 30 inches, measured from the seat or saddle.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is no track record of accidents being attributable to the height of handlebars.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative John Pennington, prime sponsor; Patrick Schmitt, Cowlitz County ABATE; Ralph Inleh, Lewis County ABATE; Linc Jordan, Cowlitz County ABATE; Argie Martin, Cowlitz County ABATE; and Larry Walker, ABATE of Washington.