HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1379

As Passed House:

February 25, 2013

Title: An act relating to private motorcycle skills education programs.

Brief Description: Concerning private motorcycle skills education programs.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Liias, Orcutt, Fitzgibbon, Johnson, Upthegrove, Kretz, Fey, Rodne, Hargrove, Zeiger, Dahlquist and Springer).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 1/31/13, 2/7/13 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/25/13, 92-0.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Overstreet, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Bergquist, Farrell, Fitzgibbon, Freeman, Habib, Hayes, Johnson, Klippert, Kochmar, Kretz, Kristiansen, Moeller, Morris, O'Ban, Riccelli, Ryu, Sells, Shea, Takko, Tarleton and Zeiger.

Staff: Andrew Russell (786-7143).

Background:

To legally operate a motorcycle on public highways, a person must have a valid motorcycle endorsement on his or her driver's license. To obtain such an endorsement, a person must either take an examination or complete a motorcycle training and education program. These programs are administered by private entities operating under contracts with the Department of Licensing (DOL). The cost of motorcycle skills education programs is capped at $50 for Washington residents who are under the age of 18 years, and $125 for Washington residents, or members of the military stationed in Washington. In order to maintain these caps, the DOL subsidizes the program cost for students.

In overseeing the private entities who provide motorcycle skills education courses, the DOL must first review and certify that the program meets educational standards. Additionally, the DOL is empowered to conduct periodic audits to ensure that the program meets the required standards. Finally, the costs of review, certification, and any audit must be covered by the entity providing the education course.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The substitute bill requires the DOL to allow private motorcycle skills education program providers that charge the student the full cost of the education program. In entering into agreements with private entities that will provide these programs, the DOL must review and certify the training program curriculum to confirm that it meets the DOL's standards. If such programs meet the DOL's educational standards, the DOL must enter into an agreement with the program provider. The DOL is also empowered to audit these programs to check that the program continues to meet the educational standards. Finally, the costs of review, certification, and any audit must be covered by the entity providing the education course.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2013.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Washington is unique in capping the costs of private education programs. This legislation allows people to participate in private programs and pay full freight if they want to. The programs authorized by this bill will pay for the costs of review, certification, and costs. Even a large increase in workload to the DOL will be paid by the riders. Private skills education programs are available in a majority of states and have trained hundreds of thousands of students. In Washington, nonsubsidized private programs make up a small number of motorcycle skills students.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Liias, prime sponsor; and Cliff Webster and Jason Tolleson, Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.