1999 Montana Legislature

SENATE BILL NO. 428
INTRODUCED BY S. STANG

 

AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS; AMENDING SECTIONS 20-7-501, 20-7-502, 20-7-504, 20-7-510, 20-7-511, 20-7-512, 20-7-513, 20-7-514, 61-5-110, AND 61-5-121, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

     Section 1.  Definitions. As used in this title, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply:

     (1) "Instructor of motorcycle safety training" means an instructor approved by the board of regents to instruct motorcycle safety training.

     (2) "Motorcycle safety training course" means a course for beginning and experienced motorcycle riders with both classroom and on-road components that has been approved by the board of regents and that is designed to teach motorcyclists how to safely operate their vehicles.

     Section 2.  State motorcycle safety account -- proceeds earmarked for account. (1) There is a state motorcycle safety account in the treasury of the state of Montana.

     (2) Money collected and accrued from motorcycle safety training courses, motorcycle endorsement fees, motorcycle registration fees, and designated grants or an amount equal to that amount must be deposited in the state motorcycle safety account and must be available to support only approved motorcycle safety training courses, appropriate instructor of motorcycle safety training, and other related motorcycle safety training activities.

     Section 3.  Section 20-7-501, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-501.  Definitions. As used in this title, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply:

     (1)  "Instructor of motorcycle safety training" means an instructor approved by the superintendent of public instruction to instruct motorcycle safety training.

     (2)  "Motorcycle safety training course" means a course for beginning and experienced motorcycle riders with both classroom and on-road components that has been approved by the superintendent of public instruction and that is designed to teach motorcyclists how to safely operate their vehicles.

     (3)(1)  "Teacher of traffic education" means an instructor approved by the superintendent of public instruction to teach traffic education.

     (4)(2)  "Traffic education" means instruction in motor vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, and school bus traffic laws or motorcycle laws, in the acceptance of personal responsibility on the public highways, in the causes and consequences of traffic accidents, and in the skills necessary for the safe operation of bicycles and motor vehicles or motorcycles. The instruction must be designed to improve public awareness of motor vehicle, pedestrian, and school bus safety with regard to protecting school-age children.

     (5)(3)  "Traffic education account" means the state treasury account in the state special revenue fund for the deposit and disbursement of state traffic education revenue.

     (6)(4)  "Traffic education course" means a course of traffic education whichthat has been approved by the superintendent of public instruction."

     Section 4.  Section 20-7-502, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-502.  Duties of superintendent of public instruction. The superintendent of public instruction shall:

     (1)  develop, administer, and supervise a program of instruction in traffic education;

     (2)  establish basic course requirements in instruction for traffic education;

     (3)  establish the qualifications for a teacher of traffic education and an instructor of motorcycle safety training. Qualifications for an instructor of motorcycle safety training must be based upon national standards promulgated by the motorcycle safety foundation or a similar organization recognized by the superintendent.;

     (4)  approve teachers of traffic education and instructors of motorcycle safety training when the teachers or instructors are qualified;

     (5)  establish criteria for traffic education and motorcycle safety training course approval based on the basic course requirements, teacher of traffic education qualifications, and the requirements of law;

     (6)  approve traffic education courses when the courses meet the criteria for approval;

     (7)  promulgate a policy for the distribution of the traffic education money to approved traffic education courses and annually order the distribution of the proceeds of the traffic education account in the manner required by law;

     (8)  assist districts with the conduct of traffic education; and

     (9)  periodically conduct onsite driver education program reviews and motorcycle safety training course monitoring."

     Section 5.  Section 20-7-504, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-504.  State traffic education account -- proceeds earmarked for the account -- transmittal. (1) There is a traffic education account in the treasury of the state of Montana.

     (2)  Money collected and accrued from motorcycle safety training courses, designated grants, and motorcycle registration fees or an amount equal to that amount must be deposited in the state traffic education account as provided in 20-7-513 and 20-7-514 and must be available to support only approved motorcycle safety training courses, appropriate motorcycle safety instructor training, and other related motorcycle safety training activities.

     (3)(2)  When a court is required to transmit fees directly to the state treasurer, the gross proceeds, including the portion of the fees to be credited to the traffic education account, must be transmitted to the state treasurer and the appropriate portion must be deposited in the traffic education account."

     Section 6.  Section 20-7-510, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-510.  Motorcycle safety promotion. In cooperation with other state, local government, and private agencies, the department of justice and the superintendent of public instructionboard of regents are encouraged to promote safety and awareness in the use and operation of motorcycles through action appropriate to the agencies' purposes and goals, including advertising and encouraging both publically and privately offered motorcycle safety training."

     Section 7.  Section 20-7-511, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-511.  Motorcycle safety advisory committee. (1) There is a motorcycle safety advisory committee. The committee is allocated to the office of the superintendent of public instructionboard of regents for administrative purposes.

     (2)  The purpose of the motorcycle safety advisory committee is to advise the superintendent of public instructionboard of regents and the department of justice concerning motorcycle rider safety issues, motorcycle safety training, motorcycle endorsement testing, and other matters relating to motorcycle safety.

     (3)  The motorcycle safety advisory committee consists of five members. Except as provided in subsection (5)(a), each member must be appointed for a term of 4 years. The committee consists of:

     (a)  one peace officer appointed by the governor;

     (b)  one certified instructor of motorcycle safety instructortraining, as provided in 20-7-512, who is appointed by the superintendent of public instructionboard of regents;

     (c)  two motorcycle riders representing motorcycle riding groups, such as the American motorcyclist association or American bikers aiming toward education (ABATE), to be nominated by these groups for appointment by the governor; and

     (d)  one representative from the department of justice who is appointed by the attorney general.

     (4)  A member may be removed for cause. If a vacancy occurs, a member must be appointed to fill the unexpired term by the authority that appointed the vacating member.

     (5)  (a) (i) To allow for staggered membership appointments, the initial terms of two committee members must be for 2 years. These members are:

     (A)  the peace officer provided for in subsection (3)(a); and

     (B)  one motorcycle rider, provided for in subsection (3)(c), to be chosen by lot at the organizational meeting.

     (ii) The successors for the peace officer and motorcycle rider shall serve 4-year terms.

     (b)  The first instructor of motorcycle safety instructortraining member appointed under subsection (3)(b) need not be certified by the superintendent of public instructionboard of regents, but the member shallmust have aan instructor of motorcycle safety instructortraining certification awarded by a national organization concerned with motorcycle safety."

     Section 8.  Section 20-7-512, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-512.  Standards for motorcycle safety training. The superintendent of public instruction shallboard of regents may establish minimum motorcycle safety training standards, including instruction, courses, and instructor certification for conducting training authorized by 20-7-513. The standards must be based upon national standards promulgated by the motorcycle safety foundation or a similar organization recognized by the superintendentboard of regents."

     Section 9.  Section 20-7-513, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-513.  Motorcycle safety training course -- feetuition. (1) The superintendent may charge a fee for the cost of conductingboard of regents may prescribe tuition rates for the motorcycle safety training courses. The feetuition collected must be deposited in the state traffic educationstate motorcycle safety account, as provided in 20-7-504[section 2].

     (2)  The superintendentboard of regents may contract with qualified persons throughout the statedelegate authority to a unit of the university system to conduct motorcycle safety training courses outside of the formal education system at times and places that will attract the greatest number of studentsand to approve instructors of motorcycle safety training.

     (3)  State agencies and subdivisions of the state may provide facilities, such as classrooms and outdoor paved areas or other resources, for conducting motorcycle safety training courses.

     (4)  Subject to the availability of funds, the superintendentboard of regents may pay for construction, repair, or purchases or award grants from the state traffic educationmotorcycle safety account to provide facilities for motorcycle safety training courses."

     Section 10.  Section 20-7-514, MCA, is amended to read:

     "20-7-514.  Motorcycle registration fee -- exemptions. (1) A motorcycle safety training fee of $5 must be assessed on each motorcycle required by 61-3-301 to be registered for licensing.

     (2)  The county treasurer shall collect the fee and remit the fee to the state treasurer for deposit in the state traffic educationmotorcycle safety account, as provided in 20-7-504[section 2].

     (3)  Exempt from payment of the fee specified in subsection (1) are vehicles:

     (a)  leased or owned by the state or a county or municipality;

     (b)  used for transportation by a nonresident or migratory worker temporarily employed in agricultural work in this state; or

     (c)  displaying dealer or wholesaler plates, as provided in 61-4-103, while owned by a dealer or wholesaler."

     Section 11.  Section 61-5-110, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-5-110.  (Temporary) Examination of applicants -- cooperative driver testing programs. (1) The department shall examine each applicant for a driver's license or motorcycle endorsement, except as otherwise provided in this section. The examination must include a test of the applicant's eyesight, a knowledge test examining the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs and the applicant's knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, and, except as provided in 61-5-118, a road test or a skills test demonstrating the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle, quadricycle, or motorcycle. The examination for the commercial driver's license may include additional items. The knowledge test and the road test or the skills test must be waived for an applicant who works in a farm-related service industry and who otherwise meets the requirements for a seasonal commercial driver's license as set forth in this title and rules adopted by the department. The knowledge test or road test, or both, may be waived by the department upon certification of the applicant's successful completion of the test by a certified cooperative driver testing program, as provided in subsection (2).

     (2)  The department is authorized to certify as a cooperative driver testing program any state-approved high school traffic education course offered by or in cooperation with a school district that employs an approved instructor who has current endorsement from the superintendent of public instruction as a teacher of traffic education or any motorcycle safety training course approved by the board of regents and that employs an approved instructor of motorcycle safety training and who agrees to:

     (a)  administer standardized knowledge and road tests required by the department to students participating in the district's high school traffic education courses:or motorcycle safety training courses approved by the board of regents;

     (b)  certify the test results to the department; and

     (c)  comply with regulations of the department,and the superintendent of public instruction, and the board of regents.

     (3)  Except as otherwise provided by law, a resident who has a valid driver's license issued by another state may surrender that license for a Montana license of the same class, type, and endorsement upon payment of the required fees, successful completion of a vision examination, and, if requested by the examiner, completion of either the knowledge test or road test, or both. In addition, a resident surrendering a commercial driver's license issued by another state shall successfully complete any examination required by federal regulations before being issued a commercial driver's license by the department. (Terminates September 30, 1999--sec. 12, Ch. 53, L. 1995.)

     61-5-110.  (Effective October 1, 1999) Examination of applicants -- cooperative driver testing programs. (1) The department shall examine each applicant for a driver's license or motorcycle endorsement, except as otherwise provided in this section. The examination must include a test of the applicant's eyesight, a knowledge test examining the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs and the applicant's knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, and a road test or a skills test demonstrating the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle, quadricycle, or motorcycle. The examination for the commercial driver's license may include additional items. The knowledge test and the road test or the skills test must be waived for an applicant who works in a farm-related service industry and who otherwise meets the requirements for a seasonal commercial driver's license as set forth in this title and rules adopted by the department. The knowledge test or road test, or both, may be waived by the department upon certification of the applicant's successful completion of the test by a certified cooperative driver testing program, as provided in subsection (2).

     (2)  The department is authorized to certify as a cooperative driver testing program any state-approved high school traffic education course offered by or in cooperation with a school district that employs an approved instructor who has current endorsement from the superintendent of public instruction as a teacher of traffic education or any motorcycle safety training course approved by the board of regents and that employs an approved instructor of motorcycle safety training and who agrees to:

     (a)  administer standardized knowledge and road tests required by the department to students participating in the district's high school traffic education courses:or motorcycle safety training courses approved by the board of regents;

     (b)  certify the test results to the department; and

     (c)  comply with regulations of the department,and the superintendent of public instruction, and the board of regents.

     (3)  Except as otherwise provided by law, a resident who has a valid driver's license issued by another state may surrender that license for a Montana license of the same class, type, and endorsement upon payment of the required fees, successful completion of a vision examination, and, if requested by the examiner, completion of either the knowledge test or road test, or both. In addition, a resident surrendering a commercial driver's license issued by another state shall successfully complete any examination required by federal regulations before being issued a commercial driver's license by the department."

     Section 12.  Section 61-5-121, MCA, is amended to read:

     "61-5-121.  Disposition of fees. (1) The disposition of the fees from driver's licenses, motorcycle endorsements, commercial driver's licenses, and duplicate driver's licenses provided for in 61-5-114 is as follows:

     (a)  The amount of 16.7% of each driver's license fee and 25% of each duplicate driver's license fee must be deposited into an account in the state special revenue fund. The department shall transfer the funds from this account to the Montana highway patrol officers' retirement pension trust fund as provided in 19-6-404.

     (b)  (i)  If the fees are collected by a county treasurer or other agent of the department, the amount of 2.5% of each driver's license fee and 3.75% of each duplicate driver's license fee must be deposited into the county general fund.

     (ii)  If the fees are collected by the department, the amount provided for in subsection (1)(b)(i) must be deposited into the state general fund.

     (c)  (i)  If the fee is collected by a county treasurer or other agent of the department, the amount of 3.34% of each motorcycle endorsement must be deposited into the county general fund.

     (ii)  If the fee is collected by the department, the amount provided for in subsection (1)(c)(i) must be deposited into the state general fund.

     (d)  The amount of 26.25% of each driver's license fee and 8.75% of each duplicate driver's license fee must be deposited into the state traffic education account.

     (e)  In addition to the amounts deposited pursuant to subsections (1)(b)(ii) and (1)(c)(ii), the amount of 54.55% of each driver's license fee and 62.5% of each duplicate driver's license fee must be deposited into the state general fund.

     (f)  If the fee is collected by the county treasurer or other agent of the department, the amount of 2.5% of each commercial driver's license fee must be deposited into the county general fund, otherwise all of the fee must be deposited ininto the state general fund.

     (g)  The amount of 63.46% of each motorcycle endorsement fee must be deposited into the state traffic educationmotorcycle safety account in the state special revenue fund, and the amount of 33.2% of each motorcycle endorsement fee must be deposited into the state general fund.

     (2)  (a) If fees from driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, motorcycle endorsements, and duplicate driver's licenses are collected by a county treasurer or other agent of the department, the county treasurer or agent shall deposit the amounts provided for in subsections (1)(b)(i) and (1)(c)(i) into the county general fund. The county treasurer or agent shall then remit to the state treasurer all remaining fees, together with a statement indicating what portion of each fee is to be deposited into the account in the state special revenue fund, as provided in subsection (1)(a), and the state general fund. The state treasurer, upon receipt of the fees and statement, shall deposit the fees as provided in subsections (1)(a) and (1)(d) through (1)(g).

     (b)  If fees from driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, motorcycle endorsements, and duplicate driver's licenses are collected by the department, it shall remit all fees to the state treasurer, together with a statement indicating what portion of each fee is to be deposited into the account in the state special revenue fund as provided in subsection (1)(a), the state special revenue fund, and the state general fund. The state treasurer, upon receipt of the fees and statement, shall deposit the fees as provided in subsections (1)(a), (1)(b)(ii), (1)(c)(ii), and (1)(d) through (1)(g)."

     Section 13.  Transfer of fund balance and equipment. (1) On or before June 30, 1999, the superintendent of public instruction shall transfer from the traffic education account to the state motorcycle safety account provided for in [section 2] the balance remaining from money collected and accrued from motorcycle safety training courses, motorcycle registration fees, and motorcycle endorsement fees.

     (2) On or before June 30, 1999, the superintendent of public instruction shall transfer to the board of regents any equipment or property used in the motorcycle safety training program.

     Section 14.  Codification instruction. (1) [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 25, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 25, apply to [sections 1 and 2].

     (2) Sections 20-7-510, 20-7-511, 20-7-512, 20-7-513, and 20-7-514 are intended to be renumbered and codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 25.

     Section 15.  Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 1999.

- END -

Latest Version of SB 428 (SB0428.ENR)
Processed for the Web on April 1, 1999 (10:28AM)

New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.

Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted.

 

Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406)444-3064