SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6439

As Passed Senate, February 17, 2004

Title: An act relating to motorcycle safety training curriculum.

Brief Description: Enhancing motorcycle safety curriculum.

Sponsors: Senators Horn, Haugen, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Schmidt, Johnson, Poulsen, B. Sheldon, Jacobsen, Stevens, Mulliken, Hale, Spanel, Eide, Rasmussen and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 1/22/04, 1/27/04 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/17/04, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Murray, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: Washington residents under age 18 are required to take a driver training class in order to obtain a driver's license, except under very limited and specific circumstances. Courses are offered at both public high schools and private driver training schools.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction sets the basic course requirements for traffic safety education courses offered in public schools. The Driver's Instructors' Advisory Committee is required to create a basic minimum curriculum for courses offered at private driver training schools. Both the Superintendent and the Advisory Committee are required to include information in driver education courses on the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators and proper use of the left hand lane.

Summary of Bill: The Superintendent of Public Instruction must include information on motorcycle awareness, approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, in instructional materials used in traffic safety education courses.

The basic minimum curriculum set by the Driver's Instructors' Advisory Committee must include information on motorcycle awareness, approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: It is critical that this information is included in driver's education courses. Some courses in Washington include information on this topic because local chapters of Road Riders have worked with driver's education instructors to provide this helpful information to young drivers.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Larry Walker, Washington Road Riders Association; Tracy Green.