H-4195              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1660

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Meyers, Walk, Vekich, S. Wilson, Gallagher, Fisher, Hankins, Cantwell, Cooper, Day and Unsoeld

Read first time 1/22/88 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to motorcycle skills education; adding a new chapter to Title 46 RCW; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     It is the purpose of this chapter to provide the motorcycle riders of the state with an improved quality and accessible motorcycle skills education program and to develop in the motorcycle riders of the state a knowledge of personal responsibility on the public highways, and an understanding of the causes and consequences of traffic accidents; and to provide training in the skills necessary for the safe operation of motorcycles, a course content befitting both recreational riders and persons who choose to commute by motorcycle, specific duties for the department of licensing, and a course which is regularly available to motorcycle riders at a reasonable cost.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

          (1) "Motorcycle skills education program" means a motorcycle rider skills training program to be administered by the department.

          (2) "Department" means the department of licensing.

          (3) "Director" means the director of licensing.

          (4) "Motorcycle" means a motorcycle licensed under chapter 46.16 RCW, and does not include motorized bicycles, mopeds, scooters, off-road motorcycles, motorized tricycles, side-car equipped motorcycles, or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     (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 a motorcycle skills curriculum consisting of not more than twelve hours of instruction suitable and of benefit to both novice and advanced motorcycle riders;

          (b) Institute a cost to novice and advanced riders of not more than thirty dollars;

          (c) Encourage the use of new, loaned, or used motorcycles, in good repair in the opinion of the instructor, for motorcycle skills education courses;

          (d) Require all instructors to conduct at least six classes in a one-year period to maintain their eligibility as instructors;

          (e) Allow the participation of novice and advanced riders with minimal and low-cost personal injury protection insurance coverage.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The sum of .......... dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated to the department of licensing for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the motorcycle safety education account of the highway safety fund for the purposes of motorcycle skills education programs consistent with this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 46 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.