This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h0709a.ITA
DATE: 4/7/2023
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 709 Proceeds Funding Motorcycle Safety Education
SPONSOR(S): Transportation & Modals Subcommittee, Yarkosky and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Transportation & Modals Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Lewis Hinshelwood
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations
Subcommittee
Hicks Davis
3) Infrastructure Strategies Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Under Florida law, upon the registration of a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or moped, in addition to the
annual license tax, a nonrefundable motorcycle safety education fee of $2.50 is collected. The proceeds of the
additional fee are deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund to fund a motorcycle driver
improvement program implemented pursuant to section 322.025 F.S.; the Florida Motorcycle Education
Program established in section 322.0255, F.S.; or the general operations of the Department of Highway Safety
and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
The bill requires all proceeds from the motorcycle safety education fee to be used for one or more safety and
education programs, including the programs under sections 322.025 and 322.0255, F.S. The programs must
be administered by DHSMV or by a private entity focused on promoting motorcycle safety and education in
Florida. The bill authorizes any motorcycle safety and education program to include pamphlets,
advertisements, public service announcements, digital media, social media, a website, participation in
grassroots motorcycle events, advocacy, and reasonable administrative expenses.
The bill requires DHSMV or the private entity selected to submit an annual report to the President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives outlining the types of events offered, an outline of the
methods used to distribute materials or expose the public to awareness programs, and an estimate of the
number of individuals who were exposed to the educational efforts.
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on state government and the private sector.
The bill has an effective date of October 1, 2023. STORAGE NAME: h0709a.ITA PAGE: 2
DATE: 4/7/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Florida Rider Training Program
Current Situation
Florida law provides that upon the registration of a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or moped, in
addition to the annual license tax
1
, a nonrefundable motorcycle safety education fee of $2.50 is
collected. The proceeds of the additional fee are deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust
Fund to fund a motorcycle driver improvement program implemented pursuant to section 322.025 F.S.;
the Florida Motorcycle Education Program established in section 322.0255, F.S.; or the general
operations of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
2
Section 322.025, F.S., authorizes DHSMV to implement programs to improve the driving ability of
Florida drivers. These programs include, but are not limited to, public safety awareness campaigns,
driver training, and licensing improvement. Funds from the motorcycle safety education fee can be
used for these programs when related to motorcycle driver improvement.
3
Section 322.0255, F.S., requires DHSMV to establish a Florida Motorcycle Safety Education Program.
The program requires DHSMV to:
Establish and administer motorcycle safety courses.
Prescribe the curricula for such courses, which must include a minimum of 12 hours of
instruction, with a minimum of six consisting of actual motorcycle operation.
Prescribe the qualifications for certification of instructors in the program.
4
When prescribing the curricula, DHSMV has the ability to adopt or include courses, curricula, or
materials developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, or by other traffic safety groups, if
determined to be comparable to DHSMV’s requirements.
5
Related to the certification of instructions,
DHSMV can also include qualifications specified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, or by other
traffic safety groups, determined to be comparable, and can recognize, for purposes of certification,
comparable instructor training as fulfilling DHSMV’s training requirements.
6
DHSMV is authorized to enter into agreements with approved organizations to provide the motorcycle
safety courses. Such agreements must include provisions for compensation to cover the costs of
conducting the courses.
7
To implement the requirements of the Florida Motorcycle Safety Education Program, DHSMV created
the Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP) to provide motorcycle safety training, course curriculum,
and the certification of instructors.
8
The FRTP consists of nine statewide members that train, audit, and
perform quality assurance on the 67 training facilities across the state. The training facilities provide
1
The annual license tax for a motorcycle is $10 and $5 for a moped, as stated in s. 320.08(1)(a) and (b), F.S.
2
Section 320.08(1)(c), F.S.
3
Section 322.025, F.S.
4
Sections 322.0255(2) and (3), F.S.
5
Section 322.0255(2), F.S.
6
Section 322.0255(3), F.S.
7
Section 322.0255(4), F.S.
8
Rule 15A-12.001, F.A.C. STORAGE NAME: h0709a.ITA PAGE: 3
DATE: 4/7/2023
educational opportunities for motorcyclists, including the required training for licensure
9
and continuing
education.
10
Additionally, DHSMV focuses efforts on motorcycle safety education, outreach, and enforcement
activities by:
Participating in the Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition
11
as the subject matter experts regarding
the training and licensure of motorcycle riders in Florida.
Updating the Class E Driver License Handbook that incorporates motorcycle awareness and
including questions on the Class E Driver License knowledge test regarding public interaction
with motorcyclists.
Conducting outreach in Florida high schools to provide information on motorcycle safety
awareness.
12
As of February 5, 2023, there were 650,670 registered motorcyclists in Florida. Based on the $2.50
motorcycle safety education fee, the DHSMV collects approximately $1,626,680. According to DHSMV,
this money is used to fund the nine FTE who monitor and regulate the FRTP Sponsors
13
and to train
the RiderCoaches
14
that teach the motorcycle safety courses.
15
Effect of the Bill
The bill requires all proceeds from the motorcycle safety education fee to be used for one or more
safety and education programs, including the programs under sections 322.025 and 322.0255, F.S.
The programs must be administered by DHSMV or by a private entity selected by the department which
is primarily focused on promoting motorcycle safety and education in Florida. The bill removes the
ability for the motorcycle safety education fee to be used for the general operations of DHSMV.
The bill states that the purpose of any motorcycle safety or education program is to reduce motorcycle
injuries and deaths in Florida. Any program is authorized to include, but is not limited to, pamphlets,
advertisements, public service announcements, digital media, social media, a website, participation in
grassroots motorcycle events, advocacy, and reasonable administrative expenses.
The bill requires DHSMV or the private entity selected to submit an annual report to the President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives outlining the types of events offered, an
outline of the methods used to distribute materials or expose the public to awareness programs, and an
estimate of the number of individuals who were exposed to the educational efforts.
The bill has an effective date of October 1, 2023.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends section 320.08, F.S., relating to motorcycle and moped license taxes.
9
The motorcycle safety programs train novice motorcycle riders so they can be endorsed to operate a motorcycle in
accordance with ss. 322.03(4) and 322.12(5), F.S. Each first-time applicant for licensure to operate a motorcycle who is
under 21 must complete a motorcycle education course and show proof of completion to the driver license examining
office as provided in s. 322.0255(7), F.S.
10
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Agency Analysis, House Bill 709, pg. 2 (Feb. 27, 2023).
11
The Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition is a group of statewide safety partners that meet quarterly to reduce fatalities of
motorcycle riders and passengers, using data driven research to develop, implement, and evaluate counter measures. Id.
12
Id.
13
Rule 15A-12.002, F.A.C., defines “RiderCoach” as a FRTP Certified Rider Course Instructor, as established in r. 15A-
12.007, F.A.C.
14
Rule 15A-12.002, F.A.C., defines “Sponsor” as the individual or entity which provides or intends to provide Program
services in Florida.
15
Supra note 10. STORAGE NAME: h0709a.ITA PAGE: 4
DATE: 4/7/2023
Section 2: Provides an effective date of October 1, 2023.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
The bill prohibits DHSMV from utilizing the proceeds from the motorcycle safety education fee for
the general operations of the department. DHSMV reports that approximately $1,626,680 is
collected annually to support these motorcycle safety education and driver improvement programs
and the nine FTE assigned to administer the programs. The funds are not used for general
operations of the department.
The bill specifies that pamphlets, advertisements, public service announcements, digital media,
social media, a website, participation in grassroots motorcycle events, advocacy, and reasonable
administrative expenses are permissible uses of the motorcycle safety education fee.
The bill requires DHSMV, or the private entity selected to implement any motorcycle safety or
education program, to submit an annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives. DHSMV states that this requirement can be completed using
existing departmental resources.
The bill allows DHSMV to select a private entity to administer the motorcycle safety and education
programs. In the event that the department selects a private entity to administer the safety and
education programs, all costs are expected to be covered by the proceeds from the motorcycle
safety education fee.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
Private entities focused on promoting motorcycle safety and education may benefit from the potential to
be selected by DHSMV to administer the motorcycle safety and education programs.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable.
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DATE: 4/7/2023
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
None.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
On March 29, 2023, the Transportation & Modals Subcommittee considered a proposed committee
substitute and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee substitute differs from
HB 709 in the following ways:
Requires all proceeds from the motorcycle safety education fee to be used for one or more safety
and education programs, including the programs under ss. 322.025 and 322.0255, F.S.
Requires programs to be administered by DHSMV or by a private entity selected by the department
which is primarily focused on promoting motorcycle safety and education in Florida.
Authorizes proceeds from the motorcycle safety education fee to be used by programs for specified
activities.
This analysis has been updated to reflect the committee substitute.