This bill establishes a dedicated Motorcycle Safety Fund in the state treasury and directs specified motorcycle registration revenues into that fund rather than the General Fund. It amends Chapter 10 and Chapter 90 of the General Laws to create a separate account for motorcycle safety-related activities and to require that the $2 portion collected from each motorcycle registration be deposited monthly into that fund.
The bill also expands how those revenues may be used. The fund would support motorcycle safety programs, including registrar-approved rider education courses, instructor training, a policy manual for course providers, the Motorcycle Awareness Program, and public awareness efforts. In addition, the bill requires the registrar to provide rebates of at least $150 to riders under age 21 who complete an approved basic rider course, with those rebates capped at 20 percent of the fund’s deposits. The State Treasurer would be prohibited from transferring these revenues to the General Fund, and an annual accounting report would be required for legislative leaders and the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association.
Impact
The bill would change state law by redirecting motorcycle registration fee revenue into a statutorily dedicated special fund and by limiting the use of those funds to motorcycle safety purposes. It would amend Chapter 10 to create the Motorcycle Safety Fund and Chapter 90 to revise the existing motorcycle registration revenue provision, replacing General Fund deposit language with a dedicated fund structure and reporting requirements. The measure would affect motorcycle registrants, the registrar of motor vehicles, the State Treasurer, rider education providers, and organizations involved in motorcycle safety outreach.
Sentiment
The available context suggests a generally supportive and straightforward policy approach, with the bill framed as a transportation and safety measure rather than a controversial tax or fee increase. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or amendment debate in the record supplied. The bill appears to be presented as a targeted effort to ensure that motorcycle-related revenues are used for motorcycle safety purposes.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the earmarking of revenue: the bill removes the existing deposit to the General Fund and instead dedicates the money to a separate Motorcycle Safety Fund, which may raise budgetary concerns for those who prefer unrestricted state revenue. Another possible issue is the rebate provision for riders under 21, including the requirement that rebates be funded from the same dedicated revenue stream and capped at 20 percent of deposits. No specific opponents or objections are identified in the provided legislative history, but these fiscal and administrative provisions are the most likely areas for debate.