Panel hears bill to let out‑of‑state motorcycle license holders teach in Kansas

The Committee on Transportation opened a hearing on House Bill 2031, which would permit motorcycle driving‑school instructors to qualify for instructor status with a valid out‑of‑state motorcycle license (a Class M or equivalent) instead of requiring a Kansas driver’s license.

Committee staff said HB 2031 amends KSA 8‑276, the statute that sets requirements to qualify as a driving‑school instructor. Current statutory requirements listed by staff include classroom and behind‑the‑wheel hour minimums, proof of relevant driver education credit, a valid credential issued by the State Board of Education (when applicable), knowledge of the Operation Lifesaver grade‑crossing safety program, a physician’s certificate attesting to physical and mental fitness to operate a vehicle, and the requirement to hold a Kansas driver’s license. The bill creates an exception for motorcycle instructors to hold a valid Class M Kansas license or the equivalent license issued by another state. The reviser said the bill’s provisions would take effect July 1, 2025.

Multiple proponents told the committee the state faces a shortage of qualified motorcycle instructors and that relaxing the Kansas‑license requirement for motorcycle instructors would help recruit experienced coach candidates from neighboring states. Tony Railsback, legislative director for ABATE of Kansas, said ABATE supports the bill and emphasized the need for ‘‘out‑of‑state’’ certified instructors to address shortages. James Snell, riding academy manager at Rawhide Harley‑Davidson and a national Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) coach, explained that MSF rider‑coach certification is standardized nationally and coaches must recertify every two years; he described the instructor training as a ‘‘large commitment’’ and said it is increasingly difficult to find candidates willing to complete the training.

Retired law‑enforcement instructor Larry Parks told the committee he has hired instructors in the past and said Kansas enforcement of the Kansas‑only license requirement cut off Missouri instructors who previously taught in Kansas when oversight shifted to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Zach Denny, director of governmental affairs for the Kansas Department of Revenue (which oversees driving schools in conjunction with the Department of Education), testified neutral and said the department has no concerns with the change; Denny suggested the committee consider an amendment to drop the Kansas‑license requirement for standard (passenger vehicle) driving‑school instructors as well to maintain consistency across statutes and administrative practice. The fiscal note supplied to the committee indicated no fiscal effect on the Department of Revenue.

Questions from representatives focused on how the exception would operate in practice (for example, whether a Missouri resident with a Missouri motorcycle endorsement could instruct in Kansas). Committee staff and proponents clarified the bill’s intent is to allow qualified out‑of‑state instructors—so long as they meet the other statutory qualifications—to teach motorcycle courses in Kansas.

No opponents offered oral testimony. The committee closed the hearing without taking final action and said members expect to work the bill at a later meeting. Proponents and institutions providing testimony included ABATE of Kansas, Rawhide Harley‑Davidson, Johnson County Community College, and several individual instructor proponents.