DRIVER ED; BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE SAFETY                                                    H.B. 5438:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5438 (as reported with amendments)

Sponsor:  Representative Terry Brown

House Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Senate Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act to require classroom instruction concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and motorcycles and emphasizing their operation on roads in this State.

The Act specifies the requirements for a segment one driver education curriculum. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, a person 14 years and nine months of age or older may be issued a level one graduated driver status upon completing segment one of a driver education course and meeting other criteria. (A person issued a level one graduated licensing status may operate a motor vehicle if accompanied either by a licensed parent or legal guardian or, with the permission of the parent or legal guardian, by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.)

Section 37 of the Act requires a segment one curriculum to include a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction spread out over at least three weeks. The bill would require classroom instruction to include information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and motorcycles, and to emphasize awareness of their operation on the streets, roads, and highways of this State.

The bill would name Section 37 the "Nathan Bower Act".

MCL 256.657                                                                   Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  10-1-14                                                 Fiscal Analyst:  Glenn Steffens

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.