SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1660

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Meyers, Walk, Vekich, S. Wilson, Gallagher, Fisher, Hankins, Cantwell, Cooper, Day and Unsoeld)

Establishing a motorcycle skills program.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Hansen, Kiskaddon, McMullen, Metcalf, Owen, Sellar.

Senate Staff:Robin Rettew (786-7306)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The motorcycle safety education program is a nationally accredited program which is funded from endorsement fees and instruction permits.  Only motorcyclists 18 or under are required to take the state-run motorcycle safety education program, although the course is open to, and recommended for, all riders.  Only 1.5 percent of all endorsed motorcycle riders have taken the course.

Drivers who ride motorcycles are required to pass an exam in order to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.  Four dollars of both new endorsements and renewals are dedicated to the Motorcycle Safety Education Account for the motorcycle safety program.  The $2.50 motorcycle instructor's permit is dedicated also to the Motorcycle Safety Education Account for the motorcycle safety program.

The course costs between $60.00 and $125.00, depending upon its location.  The cost of the course is covered by the fees students pay to take the class.  The state does not collect the course fees.  They go directly to the instructor to defray the teacher's expenses.  The cost of the class is determined by the Department of Licensing.

Instructors are required to teach a minimum of one class per year.  The class is 16 hours.

State expenditures are for the cost of books, program administration in Olympia, insurance for the program, program promotion, teacher training, etc.

SUMMARY:

The cost of the motorcycle safety education program is standardized at $30.00 per pupil across the state.  The state will subsidize the actual cost of the class, which is between $60.00 and $125.00.

The endorsement fee is increased by $1.00.

All instructors are required to teach a minimum of three classes per year in order to maintain their teaching eligibility.

The course will be a minimum of 12 hours, but no longer than 16 hours.

A biennial report is required.

Private donations are to be deposited in the Motorcycle Safety Account.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Meyers, original sponsor (for); Robin Turner, ABATE of Washington (for); Mark Tostberg, Puget Sound Motorcycle Ed. (for)