Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee
HB 1624
Brief Description: Modifying the motorcycle safety education advisory board.
Sponsors: Representatives Mosbrucker and Graham.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Expands the Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board (Board) by two members who must represent motorcycle safety instructors.
  • Requires Board members to be specially endorsed to drive a motorcycle.
  • Extends two-year board member terms to end when a successor is appointed, staggering appointments by every two years.
Hearing Date:
Staff: Phillip Craig (786-7291) and Jennifer Harris (786-7143).
Background:

Motorcycle Endorsements.


To legally operate a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorcycle, a person must have a valid driver's license with a special motorcycle endorsement.  To obtain an endorsement, a person must pass four total tests, unless waived by the Department of Licensing (DOL) for successful completion of a motorcycle skills education course or program:

  • a permit-level written test and a riding skills test, which qualifies the person for a motorcycle instruction permit; and
  • an endorsement-level written test and a riding skills test, which qualifies the person for a motorcycle endorsement.

 

The required exams are administered at motorcycle training schools approved by the DOL.  In addition to offering stand-alone exams, motorcycle training schools offer testing as part of motorcycle training courses certified by the DOL.

 

Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board.


The Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board (Board) assists the DOL with the administration, application, and educational content of the Washington Motorcycle Safety Program (WMSP).  The Board helps the DOL implement the priorities of the WMSP, which are public awareness of motorcycle safety, motorcycle safety education, classroom and on-motorcycle training, and improved motorcycle operator testing.

 

The Board consists of five members appointed by the Director of the DOL with the following requirements:

  • Three members of the Board, one of whom to be appointed chairperson, must be active motorcycle riders or members of nonprofit motorcycle organizations which promote motorcycle safety education.  
  • One member must be a Washington State Patrol (WSP) motorcycle officer with at least one year of experience as a motorcycle officer and at least five years of experience with the WSP.
  • One member must be a member of the public. 

 

Members are appointed for a term of two years.  Members are required to meet at least two times annually, and not less than five times during a term of appointment.  Members are not compensated for their services, but they are reimbursed for Board-related travel.
Summary of Bill:

The Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board (Board) consists of seven members appointed by the Director of the Department of Licensing, with two additional members appointed to represent motorcycle safety instructors.  All members must be endorsed to drive a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorcycle, and to the extent practicable, members should be from different parts of the state and not all be of the same gender.  Also to the extent practicable, at least one member should reside east of the Cascade mountains.

 

In addition to being able to select a chair from among the active motorcycle rider members or members of nonprofit motorcycle organizations, the Board may also consider members who represent motorcycle safety instructors for this position.

 

The two-year term of Board members is extended until a successor is appointed.  Member appointments are staggered, so that one or two members are appointed in every even-numbered year.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.