| Washington State House of Representatives |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Transportation Committee | |
HB 1588
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Providing mobility education to students in driver training programs.
Sponsors: Representatives Upthegrove, Wood, Hudgins, Takko, Moeller and Simpson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/6/07
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (DOL) is responsible for overseeing the commercial driver training
school program. Driver training schools must meet standards set by the DOL, and driver training
schools must be annually approved by the DOL.
The driver instructors' advisory committee reviews and updates the curriculum for driver training
schools. The advisory committee also updates the instructor certification standards, taking into
consideration the standards set by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The DOL is responsible for providing the driver training school curriculum to each applicant for
an instructor or driver training school permit. In addition to information on the safe, lawful, and
responsible operation of motor vehicles, the curriculum must include information regarding the
intermediate driver's license restrictions and sanctions, the effects of alcohol and drug use on
motor vehicle operators, and the importance of safely sharing the road with motorcycles.
If an instructor or school fails to teach the basic minimum curriculum, the DOL may revoke the
license of the instructor or school, or both.
Summary of Bill:
Adds bicycle safety and pedestrian safety; from the motor vehicle driver's, the pedestrian's, and
the bicyclist's perspective; and the utility of bicycles and walking as mobility options to the list of
items that must be part of the driver training curriculum.
Creates a mobility education pilot program to develop a mobility education curriculum and
implement the curriculum in pilot projects at certain sites as part of the driver training program.
The DOL will contract for the development of a curriculum with both classroom and real world
components that covers sharing the road safely and the availability of mass transit, bicycling, and
walking as mobility options.
The DOL will consult with its driver instructors' advisory committee; augmented with
representatives from the health, transit, environmental, bicycle, and pedestrian communities;
regarding the awarding of the contract and the development of the curriculum. The curriculum
will be implemented in pilot programs in King and Spokane counties.
The advisory committee will evaluate the program and present recommendations to the
transportation committees of the legislature regarding state wide implementation. $300,000 is
provided for the development of the curriculum and the implementation of the pilot projects.
Appropriation: The sum of $300,000 from the multi-modal fund.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2007.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.