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H 3784

An Act relative to a motorcycle safety fund

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Todd Smola

Creates a dedicated Motorcycle Safety Fund funded by $2 from each motorcycle registration to finance rider education, instructor training, and safety outreach.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 3784

Summary of H.3784: An Act relative to a motorcycle safety fund

Overview

H.3784 proposes creating a dedicated Motorcycle Safety Fund within the Massachusetts General Laws to support motorcycle safety activities. The fund would be financed by a portion of motorcycle registration revenues and would support rider education, instructor training, policy standards for education providers, the Motorcycle Awareness Program, and public safety outreach. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025 and has been the subject of Transportation committee hearings, with several schedule changes.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a separate, dedicated funding source for motorcycle safety-related activities in Massachusetts.
  • Ensure revenues collected from motorcycle registration are retained for safety programs rather than flowing to the General Fund.
  • Support rider education, instructor standards, awareness programs, and public outreach to enhance rider safety.

Key provisions

Establishment of the Motorcycle Safety Fund

  • Inserted as Section 35TTT to Chapter 10: A separate Motorcycle Safety Fund on the books of the Commonwealth.
  • Fund consists of all revenues received under Section 34 of Chapter 90 designated for motorcycle safety activities.
  • Revenues in the fund remain there subject to appropriation for motorcycle safety activities.

Revised revenue deposits and rebates (Chapter 90, Sec. 34)

  • Replaces the prior directive that $2 from every motorcycle registration goes to the General Fund to promote motorcycle safety.
  • New requirement: $2 from every motorcycle registration (issued under Sec. 2) deposited monthly into the Motorcycle Safety Fund.
  • Rebates: The registrar must provide rebates of not less than $150 to persons under 21 who complete a registered basic rider course approved by the registrar.
  • Cap: Total rebates may not exceed 20% of the funds deposited into the Motorcycle Safety Fund.
  • Use of funds: Revenues in the Fund may be used to administer a motorcycle safety program, including:
    • Funding registrar-approved rider education courses and instructor training
    • Maintaining a policy manual with minimum requirements for instructors and businesses offering approved rider education courses
    • Supporting the Motorcycle Awareness Program (Chapter 71, Section 13D) and public awareness efforts
  • Oversight: The State Treasurer must not deposit these revenues into the General Fund or any other fund; it must remain in the Motorcycle Safety Fund.
  • Reporting: The State Treasurer must annually provide an accounting of income and expenditures to the Chairman of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA), the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation, and the clerks of the Senate and House.

Administration and affected entities

  • Primary administrator: The Registrar (registrar of motor vehicles) handles deposits and rebate administration.
  • Beneficiaries and participants: Motorcyclists (especially those under 21 who complete approved rider courses), rider education providers and instructors, motorcycle safety programs, and public awareness initiatives.
  • Oversight and reporting: Annual financial accounting to MMA and legislative leadership.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Referred to the Committee on Transportation on February 27, 2025; Senate concurred the same day.
  • Hearing schedule: Hearing rescheduled multiple times for October 2025 (latest update indicates a hearing on 10/21/2025 with updated times/locations).

Related measures

  • Related bill: HD 2491 (replaces), House Docket No. 2491.

Potential impacts

  • For motorcycle owners: a fixed $2 per registration continues to fund safety programs (with rebates available for under-21 riders who complete approved training).
  • For young riders: potential rebates of at least $150 upon completing an approved basic rider course, subject to the 20% cap.
  • For education providers and instructors: increased funding and standardized requirements to deliver approved training and maintain program quality.
  • For state finances: funds dedicated to safety programs, with annual public accounting rather than transfers to the General Fund.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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