SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6751

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 11, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the regulation of motorized foot scooters.

Brief Description:  Regulating motorized foot scooters.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn and Costa.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/6/02, 2/11/02 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6751 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Benton, Finkbeiner, Horn, Johnson, McDonald, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff:  Greg Doss (786‑7341)

Background:  Motorized scooters have either internal combustion engines or battery-powered motors and can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.  Current law regulates bicycles, electric-assisted bicycles, motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, but does not include provisions regarding motorized scooters.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A motorized foot scooter is defined.  Motorized foot scooters cannot be defined as a motorcycle.  Vehicle licensing and registration provisions do not apply to motorized foot scooters.  No drivers' licenses are required to operate a motorized foot scooter.  Motorized foot scooters may be operated during daylight hours without reflectors approved by the State Patrol.  Most provisions regulating mopeds do not apply to motorized foot scooters.

Motorized foot scooters have the same highway access as bicycles.  Motorized foot scooters maybe operated on a multi-purpose trail or bicycle lane.  State Parks may regulate use of motorized foot scooters within the boundaries of a park.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute allows State Parks to regulate the use of motorized scooters within boundaries of a park.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Motorized foot scooters should not be considered motorized vehicles.  Operators should not need a driver's license or registration to operate motorized foot scooters.  Concerns were expressed that State Parks would not be able to regulate motorized foot scooters operating on park trails.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Horn, prime sponsor.