New Oregon legislation.





There are a couple of new developments on the horizon here in Oregon. I thought they might be of interest to you. As motorcycle safety professionals they certainly hold some implications for our instructors.

Here's the first one.

Senate Bill 124B was signed into law June 24, 2009 by Governor Kulongoski. This act amends 807.010 to strengthen the penalty for riding unendorsed from a Class B traffic violation ($360) to a Class A traffic violation ($720), with provisions for waiving the fine with completion of a rider training course. The law goes into effect January 1, 2010.
The summary of changes follow:


(4) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, the offense described in subsection


(1) of this section, [vehicle] operating a vehicle without driving privileges, is a Class B traffic violation.


(5) The offense described in subsection (1) of this section, operating a vehicle without
driving privileges, that results from a person operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle
endorsement, is a Class A traffic violation.


(6)(a) The court shall suspend a fine imposed under subsection (5) of this section on the
condition that the person, within 120 days of the date of sentencing:



(A) Complete a motorcycle education course established by the department under ORS
802.320; and


(B) Obtain a motorcycle endorsement issued under ORS 807.170.
(b) The court shall set a hearing date for 120 days from the date of sentencing. At the
hearing the court shall:


(A) If the person has successfully completed the requirements described in paragraph
(a)(A) and (B) of this subsection, dismiss the fine imposed under subsection (5) of this section;
or


(B) If the person has not successfully completed the requirements described in paragraph
(a)(A) and (B) of this subsection:


(i) Grant the person an extension based on good cause shown; or
(ii) Impose the fine under subsection (5) of this section.


Here’s the bill:



http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/sb0100.dir/sb0124.en.html


I'm all for riders being properly endorsed. For one thing, endorsed riders are less represented statistically in accidents that unendorsed riders. Secondly, our program is funded solely by motorcyclists. TEAM OREGON was set up to be funded by student tuitions and a portion of new and renewal endorsements. Obviously, I think education is much more powerful than punitive measures. The good news is that the fine gets waived if the rider successfully becomes endorsed within 120 days of sentencing.



Here's the piece of legislation that will probably have the biggest impact on our program.





This is to inform you that Senate Bill (SB) 546A passed the House last night on a vote of 33 to 25 and awaits the Governor’s signature to become law. If signed (which is expected), SB546 amends ORS 807.175 to require that all beginning (unendorsed) riders successfully complete a motorcycle rider training course before becoming eligible for a motorcycle endorsement. As you know, the law today requires course attendance for all new riders under the age of 21. Effective January 1, 2011, that age will raise to under 31 and continue to phase-in, as shown below:


(1) On or after January 1, 2011, to persons who are under 31
years of age as of that date.


(2) On or after January 1, 2012, to persons who are under 41
years of age as of that date.


(3) On or after January 1, 2013, to persons who are under 51
years of age as of that date.


(4) On or after January 1, 2014, to persons who are under 61
years of age as of that date.


(5) On or after January 1, 2015, to all persons. + }


Here’s a copy of the bill:

http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/sb0500.dir/sb0546.a.html


The graduated implementation schedule is necesary for us to be able to ramp up. Interestingly, it won't be quite as much of a stretch as it might look. For example, last year we trained almost 10,000 students in all our classes. There were 12,000 new endorsements in the state. We weren't too far away. Who knows if the continued climb in new riders will continue? Time will tell.



That's all I'm going to offer for editorials. I'll leave the rest to you all should you wish!



Miles and smiles,



Dan