SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5518

As Passed Senate, March 10, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the waiver of motorcycle endorsement examination after satisfactory completion of motorcycle operator training.

Brief Description:  Waiving the motorcycle exam for trained operators.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn, T. Sheldon and Roach; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/20/01, 2/27/01 [DP].

Passed Senate:  3/10/01, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, McAuliffe, McDonald, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Jennifer Strus (786‑7484)

Background:  The Department of Licensing (DOL) currently contracts with seven outside entities to provide the motorcycle safety education program.  Even after a person successfully completes the program, he or she must still complete the motorcycle endorsement written and skills examination.

Summary of Bill:  DOL may waive all or a portion of the motorcycle endorsement examination for people who satisfactorily complete the motorcycle operator training and education program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The motorcycle safety education program is a good program and duplicative of the skills portion of the motorcycle endorsement to the driver=s license.  If a person successfully completes the education program, he or she should not also have to complete the same test in the motorcycle endorsement portion.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Horn, prime sponsor; Carl Spurgeon, Dept. of Licensing.