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Minutes for SB17 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Requiring class M driver's licenses when operating a motorcycle registered under a temporary permit.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 29, 2019
The Chairperson opened the meeting for bill introductions from both committee members and audience participants. There were no bill requests.
Senator Pettey introduced her intern, Genevieve Presher, a junior at the University of Kansas, who worked on 2018 campaigns, which inspired her to learn more about the legislative process. The Chairperson welcomed her to the committee.
The Chairperson opened the hearing on SB 17. Staff provided a briefing, saying the bill would remove a certain exception related to individuals operating a motorcycle in the state; removing the exception would require the individual to have a Class M driver's license rather tan any other type of license while the vehicle is registered under a temporary permit.
The Chairperson welcomed Travis Lowe, who spoke on behalf of AAA Kansas as a proponent of the bill and noted that the bill is designed to improve the safety of persons operating a motorcycle. The requirement of a Class M or Class M learner's permit would help to ensure safe driving habits of motorcyclists. Mr. Lowe commented that the exception allows motorcycle riders to ignore the requirement for training before operating the vehicle. This loophole has contributed to the high percentage of motorcycle crashes and fatalities. He stated that the seller of a motorcycle is not impacted with liability in the event a driver does not carry a Class M license or instruction permit (Attachment 1).
Steve Christenberry, representing ABATE of Kansas, commented on the data compiled on motorcycle crashes and fatalities, saying that nearly 50 percent of those involved in crashes or fatalities do not have the Class M driver's license. He stated that the successful completion of a training program or the passing of a test at the Division of Vehicles merits the designation of a Class M license. Mr. Christenberry spoke in favor of the adoption of SB 17 (Attachment 2).
Written testimony in support of SB 17 was provided by:
Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Sheriff's Association and Kansas Peace Officers Association (Attachment 3).
Kansas Department of Transportation (Attachment 4).
Steve Bockhaus, Motorist Awareness Coordinator, Gold Wing Road Riders Association--Kansas District (Attachment 5).
Michael Bright, Petrolia, Kansas, Member-Kansas Motorcycle Safety Commission (Attachment 6).
Members posed a variety of questions to which the conferees replied:
Presently the only requirement to obtain a Class M permit is to take a written and a vision test, after which a person is permitted to drive a motorcycle with an adult holder of a Class M license before obtaining a Class M driver’s license. (Kent Selk, Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles)
The bill does not address the issue of a seller’s liability. Current law does not hold a seller liable for a motorcycle driver’s subsequent training or skill in driving a motorcycle. (Mr. Lowe, Mr. Siebers)
Small scooters, motorized bicycles, and electric bikes have separate sets of rules. To meet the definition of a motorized bicycle, the engine size must be 130 cc with less than 3.5 braking horsepower. (Mr. Selk, Mr. Lowe, Mr. Siebers) Similarly, insurance coverage is different for the smaller vehicles.
The hearing on SB 17 was closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50. The next meeting is scheduled for January 30, 2019.
