OFF THE WIRE
Motorcycle Training Bill Is Approved By The Senate By Amanda Falcone on April 27, 2010 6:48 PM State senators unanimously supported a bill Tuesday that would require anyone seeking a motorcycle license endorsement to take a $200 novice training course.
Currently, only licensed drivers under 18 are required to take the class.
The mandate would apply to all new endorsement applicants and to motorcyclists who let their endorsements lapse for at least two years. It would not apply to those who already have an endorsement in Connecticut or in another state.
A motorcycle endorsement is designated by the letter "M" on a driver's license. Anyone wishing to drive a motorcycle must have a valid driver's license and a valid motorcycle endorsement or permit.
If a person successfully completes a motorcycle training course, the Department of Motor Vehicles, by law, can waive the on-road portion of the "endorsement" application process.
Rep. Timothy Larson, D-East Hartford, proposed the motorcycle training bill after talking with East Hartford resident, Stephanie Pelletier. Pelletier's 19-year-old son, Nicholas Cohen, died in a 2008 motorcycle accident.
"For me, this is Nick's bill," said Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Hartford.
A few lawmakers had concerns about how the state would pay for an increase in demand for the Department of Transportation's Connecticut Rider Education Program. The Office of Fiscal Analysis says the bill, which would go into effect Oct. 1, would result in a $100,000 cost to the DOT. The legislature's budget office says the initial costs would be covered by a federal grant, but lawmakers say they are worried about future costs.
Tuesday, the bill was amended. The mandatory motorcycle training would now be contingent on the availability of federal funding. The amendment eased some fears, but Republican lawmakers reminded their colleagues that relying on federal funding is always a risky endeavor.
http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/04/motorcycle-training-bill-is-ap.html
