SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5229

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, February 12, 2003

Title: An act relating to a motorcycle skills education program for three-wheeled motorcycles.

Brief Description: Separating training for two and three-wheeled motorcycles.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen, Horn, B. Sheldon, Zarelli, Poulsen, Jacobsen, Mulliken, Hargrove, Roach, Rossi, Stevens, T. Sheldon and West.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/6/03, 2/12/03 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5229 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Finkbeiner, Haugen, Jacobsen; Kastama, Mulliken, Oke, Prentice and Spanel.

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: The motorcycle skills education program is a voluntary program operated by the Department of Licensing (DOL). DOL contracts with certified instructors who must teach a minimum of three classes per year to maintain their teaching eligibility. The program consists of two classes: one for advanced riders and one for novice riders. The cost of either class for riders under age 18 is no more than $50. The cost of either class for riders over age 18 and military personnel of any age is no more than $100. The classes do not include instruction on the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles.

Currently, DOL offers a two-wheeled motorcycle endorsement and the endorsement examination does not test for those skills and maneuvers unique to three-wheeled motorcycles.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A three-wheeled motorcycle special endorsement is established. Persons operating a three-wheeled motorcycle must obtain the special endorsement.

The examination for two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycle endorsements must be separate and must test the skills and maneuvers necessary to operate each type of motorcycle.

The department must establish separate novice and advanced motorcycle skills education courses for two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles.

To maintain their teaching eligibility, three-wheeled motorcycle instructors must conduct at least one class per year.

The definition of a motorcycle, under the motorcycle skills education program, is modified to include motorized tricycles and side car equipped motorcycles.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect January 1, 2004.

Testimony For: This bill provides needed subsidized training opportunities for three-wheeled motorcycle operators who may currently not be able to obtain training. By offering training for three-wheeled motorcycles and requiring an endorsement and testing requirements specific to these vehicles, this bill promotes traffic safety.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Carl Spurgeon, Department of Licensing; Dave Wendell, Evergreen Motorcycle Safety Training and Sidecar/Trike Education Program.