AN ACT Relating to snow bikes; amending RCW 46.04.546; adding a new section to chapter 46.16A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 46.16A RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall allow a motorcycle owner to register initially as provided in RCW 46.16A.040 or to renew the registration as provided in RCW 46.16A.110 and, at the same time, to register the vehicle, or renew the vehicle registration, for use as a snow bike under the terms for snowmobile registration in chapter 46.10 RCW. The fees and other terms pertaining to vehicle registration under this chapter and chapter 46.10 RCW apply.

(2) The department shall establish a declaration subject to the requirements of RCW 9A.72.085, which must be submitted by the motorcycle owner when applying for a snowmobile registration or registration renewal under chapter 46.10 RCW for the use of the converted motorcycle as a snow bike. The declaration must include a statement signed by the owner that a motorcycle that had been previously converted to a snow bike must conform with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and state standards while in use as a motorcycle upon public roads, streets, or highways.

(3) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 46.10 RCW to read as follows:

The owner of a motorcycle may apply for a snowmobile registration as provided in section 1 of this act and under the terms of this chapter to use the motorcycle, when properly converted, as a snow bike for the purposes of this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW to read as follows:

A person may operate a motorcycle, that previously had been converted to a snow bike, upon a public road, street, or highway of this state if the person:

(1) Files a motorcycle highway use declaration, as provided under section 1 of this act, with the department certifying conformance with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and state standards while in use as a motorcycle upon public roads, streets, or highways;

(2) Obtains a valid driver's license and motorcycle endorsement issued to Washington residents in compliance with chapter 46.20 RCW for a motorcycle.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:

"Snow bike" means a motorcycle or off-road motorcycle that has been modified with a conversion kit to include (1) an endless belt tread or cleats or similar means for the purposes of propulsion on snow and (2) a ski or sled type runner for the purposes of steering.

Sec. 5.  RCW 46.04.546 and 2010 c 161 s 145 are each amended to read as follows:

"Snowmobile" means a self-propelled vehicle that is capable of traveling over snow or ice that (1) utilizes as its means of propulsion an endless belt tread or cleats, or any combination of these or other similar means of contact with the surface upon which it is operated, (2) is steered wholly or in part by skis or sled type runners, and (3) is not otherwise registered as, or subject to, the motor vehicle excise tax in the state of Washington. "Snowmobile" includes snow bikes.

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