HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1171
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to modifying the motorcycle safety education advisory board.
Brief Description: Modifying the motorcycle safety education advisory board.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Mosbrucker and Graham).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/19/23, 1/26/23 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/3/23, 95-0.
Passed Senate: 4/10/23, 48-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Substitute 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 once a successor is appointed, staggering appointments by every two years.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 29 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Paul, Vice Chair; Timmons, Vice Chair; Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Hutchins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Low, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Robertson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berry, Bronoske, Chapman, Cortes, Dent, Doglio, Duerr, Entenman, Goehner, Griffey, Hackney, Klicker, Mena, Orcutt, Ramel, Ramos, Schmidt, Taylor, Volz, Walsh and Wylie.
Staff: Michael Hirsch (786-7195).
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.  The four tests are:

  • 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 include 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 (Director) 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 Substitute Bill:

The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Director, with two additional members appointed to represent motorcycle safety instructors.  All members must be endorsed to drive a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorcycle.  To the extent practicable, the Director should strive to appoint members who reflect diversity in race, ethnicity, and gender.  Also to the extent practicable, the Director should strive to appoint members who reside in different areas of the state, with at least two members who reside east of the crest of the Cascade mountain range.
 
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Adding members with a background as motorcycle safety instructors increases the quality of advice the Board provides to the DOL.  Expanding the Board provides better diversity.  It is important to have the viewpoint of those from Eastern Washington.  Expanding the Board allows for the creation of three-member workgroups without creating a quorum.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Gina Mosbrucker, prime sponsor; Kathy Gill, Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board; Larry Walker, American Bikers Aiming Towards Education of Washington Motorcyclists; and Doug Bowers.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.