SENATE BILL REPORT
ESB 6076
BYSenators Thorsness, Murray, Barr, Stratton, Metcalf, Saling, McCaslin, Madsen, Warnke, Anderson, Amondson and West
Creating motorcycle public awareness program.
Senate Committee on Transportation
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bender, Conner, Hansen, Madsen, Murray, Sellar, Thorsness.
Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)
April 11, 1989
House Committe on Transportation
AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 1989
BACKGROUND:
The eleven states currently using a motorcycle public awareness program and media campaign feel that they have dramatically reduced their motorcycle-related accident rates.
These public awareness programs contain public service announcements for TV, radio and newspapers which provide safety advice, helping the drivers of both motorcycles and vehicles realize the potential hazards of sharing the roadway with the other.
Present law requires anyone under age 18 applying for a motorcycle endorsement to complete a motorcycle safety education course that meets the standards established by the Department of Licensing. A majority of the adult motorcycle riders, however, have never taken a motorcycle safety education class. If an incentive were offered, as some local jurisdictions have already done for drivers committing their first traffic infraction, allowing motorcycle operators the option of having one traffic infraction cancelled provided they complete a motorcycle safety education class, more of the adult riders would be retrained with safer driving habits.
Current law requires that every person applying for a special endorsement or a new category of endorsement of a driver's license authorizing that person to drive a motorcycle must pay a nonrefundable motorcycle examination fee of $7, with a renewal fee of $5. A total of $5 from each applicant shall be deposited in the motorcycle safety education account of the highway safety fund. The motorcycle safety education account provides funding for a statewide voluntary motorcycle operator training and education program.
In 1987 the Legislature created a Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board to assist the director in the development of the education and training program. Their mandated priorities were public awareness of motorcycle safety; motorcycle safety education programs; classroom and on-cycle training; and improved motorcycle operator testing.
SUMMARY:
The Director of the Department of Licensing shall use the money designated for the motorcycle safety education account of the highway safety fund to implement a full-time public awareness program by July 1, 1989. The director may contract with public and private entities to implement the program.
A Motorcycle Public Awareness Advisory Board is created to assist the director in program development. The board shall consist of nine members, one of whom the director shall appoint chairperson. Three of the board members shall represent nonprofit motorcycle organizations which actively support and promote motorcycle safety education. The remainder of the board will be composed of a representative from a motorcycle dealership or related shops; a State Patrol motorcycle officer with five years experience and at least one year cumulative experience as a motorcycle officer; a member of the public; a motorcycle safety instructor with at least two years teaching experience; the director of Licensing; and a member of the Legislative Transportation Committee. The term of appointment shall be two years.
The Motorcycle Public Awareness Board shall meet at the call of the director, at least three times annually. The board receives no compensation for services but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with state law.
The board shall submit a proposed public awareness program of motorcycle safety to the director and to the Legislative Transportation Committee for review and approval prior to January 1, 1990.
The initial motorcycle examination fee for a special motorcycle endorsement is increased from $7 to $7.50 cents. The fee for the renewal exam is increased from $5 to $6.50. At least $1 of the initial fee and $1.05 from the renewal fee shall be deposited in the highway safety fund to be used for the motorcycle public awareness program and to implement the proposals of the board. Every person under age eighteen applying for the motorcycle endorsement must complete the required motorcycle safety course.
Any motorcycle endorsed rider in this state who has received one motorcycle speeding or motorcycle equipment violation within a three year period, may have that first violation erased, or not entered into his or her driving record. The motorcyclist must register for the Washington motorcycle safety course, pay all court costs and fines and complete the experienced rider safety education course when scheduled. Proof of completion must be sent to the department and the court having jurisdiction over the matter. If the student completes the course, but fails to graduate, the student may attend a second time and must pay the course costs.
The sum of $267,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the highway safety fund to the motorcycle safety education account for implementation of the motorcycle public awareness program. Any portion of the appropriation not utilized by the awareness program shall be used for the motorcycle operator training and education program.
Appropriation: $267,000 from the highway safety fund to the motorcycle safety education account for the biennium ending June 30, 1991.
Revenue: yes
Fiscal Note: requested March 1, 1989
Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Thorsness, sponsor; Don Mapp, Department of Licensing; Carl Verduin, Back Pack of Washington; Mary Faulk, Department of Licensing; Robin Torner, ABATE of Washington
HOUSE AMENDMENT:
Beginning July 1, 1989, the director of the Department of Licensing shall develop a motorcycle public awareness program, provided funds are appropriated.
The $2 motorcycle examination fee is separated from the total motorcycle endorsement fees for purposes of clarification. The initial motorcycle endorsement fee and the new category fee is increased from $5.50 to $6 and the renewal endorsement fee is increased from $4.50 to $7.50.
The section permitting a motorcycle rider to have the first traffic violation erased upon completing a traffic safety education class is deleted.
The section containing the program's biennial appropriation has been transferred to the transportation appropriation bill and deleted from this legislation.