BILL REQ. #:  H-0679.2 

Read first time 01/24/13.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to private motorcycle skills education programs; amending RCW 46.81A.020; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.81A.020 and 2007 c 97 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The director shall administer and enforce the law pertaining to the motorcycle skills education program as set forth in this chapter.
     (2) The director may adopt and enforce reasonable rules that are consistent with this chapter.
     (3) The director shall revise the Washington motorcycle safety program to:
     (a) Institute separate novice and advanced motorcycle skills education courses for both two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles that are each a minimum of eight hours and no more than sixteen hours at a cost, except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, of (i) no more than fifty dollars for Washington state residents under the age of eighteen, and (ii) no more than one hundred twenty-five dollars for Washington state residents who are eighteen years of age or older and military personnel of any age stationed in Washington state;
     (b) Encourage the use of loaned or used motorcycles for use in the motorcycle skills education course if the instructor approves them;
     (c) Require all instructors for two-wheeled motorcycles to conduct at least three classes in a one-year period, and all instructors for three-wheeled motorcycles to conduct at least one class in a one-year period, to maintain their teaching eligibility.
     (4) The department may enter into agreements to review and certify that a private motorcycle skills education course meets educational standards equivalent to those required of courses conducted under the motorcycle skills education program. An agreement entered into under this subsection must provide that the department may conduct periodic audits to ensure that educational standards continue to meet those required for courses conducted under the motorcycle skills education program, and that the costs of the review, certification, and audit process will be borne by the party seeking certification.
     (5) The department must allow private motorcycle skills education programs to offer motorcycle safety education where students pay the full cost for the training. In entering into agreements with such programs under this subsection, the department must review and certify that a private motorcycle skills education course under this subsection meets educational standards equivalent to those offered under the cost limits set forth in subsection (3)(a) of this section. An agreement entered into under this subsection must provide that the department may conduct periodic audits to ensure that educational standards continue to meet those of other programs approved by the department, and that the costs of the review, certification, and audit process will be borne by the program seeking certification.
     (6) The department shall obtain and compile information from applicants for a motorcycle endorsement regarding whether they have completed a state approved or certified motorcycle skills education course.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2013.