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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Adair

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/30/07

HB

SHORT TITLE Motorcycle Engine Displacement Allowance

SB 219

ANALYST Hanika Ortiz

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 219 amends Section 66-5-5 of the Motor Vehicle Code by increasing the engine size

allowed for issuance of a motorcycle license to a person thirteen years of age or older.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

TRD reports the provisions within the bill will impose no significant fiscal impacts on state or

local revenue sources.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Current statutes allow the Motor Vehicle Division to issue a license to drive a motorcycle to

individuals that are thirteen years of age or older and who have pass an examination prescribed

by the Division. However, recipients of the licenses are not permitted to drive a motorcycle

driven by an engine in excess of one-hundred cubic centimeters in displacement. The proposed

amendment will increase the allowable engine size from one-hundred cubic centimeters to one-

hundred twenty-five cubic centimeters.

Senate Bill 219 – Page

2

A 125cc motor scooter (note: a 125cc or less on-road motorcycle is generally configured as a

motor scooter) can easily go 60 mph. The effect of this bill is to make bigger, faster scooters

available for use by 13- and 14-year-old drivers. The 13- or 14-year-old who is licensed pursuant

to Section 66-5-5 is permitted to ride a motorcycle on any of the public roads and highways of

New Mexico, limited only by the size (engine displacement) of the motorcycle, a limited

prohibition on carrying passengers, and the requirement that the driver wear a helmet.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

SB 219 may address the issue of unlicensed motorcycle operators for the reason that an

estimated 33 percent of motorcycle operators killed in traffic crashes are either not licensed or

improperly licensed to operate a motorcycle. By not obtaining a motorcycle operator license,

riders may be bypassing the only method they and state licensing agencies have to ensure they

have the knowledge and skill needed to safely and skillfully operate a motorcycle.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, “…per mile traveled

in 2003, a motorcyclist is approximately 32 times more likely to die in a crash than someone

riding in an automobile."

AHO/nt