BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 1952
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 21, 2010

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

            AB 1952 (Niello and John A. Perez) - As Introduced:  February  
                                      17, 2010 

          Policy Committee:                               
          TransportationVote:13-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires a minor (under 21 years of age) to complete a  
            motorcycle safety training program prior to operating a  
            motorcycle with an instruction permit.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)No net state costs to the California Highway Patrol, as the  
            state-sponsored motorcycle safety program is self-funded.

          2)Minor costs to DMV to update driver's handbook and verify  
            completion of safety course prior to granting instructional  
            permits to minor motorcyclists (special fund).

           COMMENTS 

           1)Rationale  . The bill is intended to reduce the risk of injuries  
            and fatalities among minors seeking a license to ride a  
            motorcycle. The bill was prompted by the accidental death of a  
            young constituent who had just obtained an instruction permit  
            but had not yet taken the motorcycle safety training course.    
             

           1)Background  . Existing law authorizes a person, 15  years old,  
            who has successfully completed approved courses in automobile  
            education and training, to operate a motorcycle having only an  
            instruction permit, subject to certain conditions.  Current  
            law does not require a minor to complete a motorcycle skills  
            course prior to operating the motorcycle.  









                                                                  AB 1952
                                                                  Page  2

            Current law also establishes The California Motorcycle Safety  
            Program (CMSP), a motorcyclist-funded, state-operated program  
            administered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) under  
            contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP).  The basic  
            rider course is designed for beginning riders and provides  
            five hours of classroom instruction and ten hours of practical  
            riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment.  
            There are currently 129 locations throughout the state that  
            offer basic rider training courses through the CHP's  
            motorcycle safety training program.  The basic rider course  
            costs between $150 and $250.  

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Brad Williams / APPR. / (916) 319-2081