HB0463 Leake, Sam

C O M M I T T E E

HB 463, HCA 1 -- MOTORCYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION

SPONSOR: Leake

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Transportation by a vote of 14 to 0.

This bill establishes a minimum age of fifteen and one-half for applying for a motorcycle temporary instruction permit. The bill outlines restrictions and guidelines for temporary permit applicants and holders.

The Department of Public Safety is required to establish standards for and administer a motorcycle safety education program. The program will include motorcycle rider training and instructor training courses. The department will have the authority to promulgate any rules necessary to implement the program and be allowed to enter into contracts with public or private institutions for the administration of motorcycle rider training and instructor courses.

The successful completion of a motorcycle rider training course is allowed in lieu of the assessment of points against the operation of the motorcycle due to a traffic violation and may replace the driving test for a motorcycle license.

A Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee will be created to assist in the development and implementation of the program. The committee will have several members appointed by the Director of the Department of Public Safety.

An additional $2.75 fee is required for each instruction permit, motorcycle license issuance, or endorsement to fund the safety education program.

The bill creates a Motorcycle Safety Trust Fund in the state treasury for use by the Department of Public Safety. All court fees, appropriations , federal grants, private donations, and any other moneys designated for the motorcycle safety education program will be deposited in the fund and expended by the Department of Public Safety for motorcycle safety education programs.

The bill establishes additional court costs for certain motorcycle violations.

HCA 1 -- contains clean-up language and adds two sections referencing whether a motorcycle rider training course has been completed.

FISCAL NOTE: Estimated Net Increase to Motorcycle Safety Trust Fund of $5,250 in FY 96, $6,310 in FY 97, & $6,310 in FY 98. Estimated Net Cost to Highway Fund of $74,164 in FY 96, $90,063 in FY 97, & $91,239 in FY 98.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that rider education is very beneficial and is the most promising way to save lives of young riders.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Leake; Freedom of Road Riders Association; American Motorcycle Association; Motorcycle Manufacturers; and Missouri Head Injury Association.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Robert Triplett, Research Analyst