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Public Safety Committee reviews electric-motorcycle ordinance with tiered fines, parental-responsibility clause
Summary
The Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee discussed AB 25-120, which would create a tiered fine structure for electric motorcycles, add parent/guardian responsibility for under‑18 operators and clarify enforcement and impoundment procedures; the ordinance is scheduled for a first reading next week and a possible vote Dec. 8.
The Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee discussed agenda bill AB 25-120 on Nov. 17, a proposed ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles, including a three-tier fine schedule and a parental-responsibility provision.
Chief (name not provided) summarized the changes made since the council’s earlier discussions, saying the ordinance "leaves the fines with a tiered fine system here of $250 for first offense, $500 for the second offense, and the third and subsequent offense is $750," and adding a section that bars a parent or guardian from knowingly permitting a person under 18 to operate one of these devices. The Chief said cases that may implicate criminal penalties would still be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review.
Council member Cotton asked whether 16- and 17-year-olds could operate such vehicles with a license and motorcycle endorsement. The Chief explained Washington licensing rules can permit a 16‑year‑old to obtain a motorcycle endorsement after satisfying probationary licensing requirements and noted the ordinance is aimed primarily at reckless operation and parental responsibility for under‑18 operators.
Chair Rob Wotton asked how an electric motorcycle would be distinguished from Vespa‑type mopeds. The Chief said state law (the Revised Code of Washington) defines mopeds and Vespa‑style vehicles by engine displacement, while electric motorcycles are evaluated by wattage and can reach higher speeds, so the ordinance specifically targets vehicles meeting the electric‑motorcycle definition under state law.
City Attorney Burke advised on vehicle registration and impoundment, saying home‑built or atypical devices "do have to be registered with the Department of Licensing and have a license plate," and that officers may use model and engine/wattage checks to determine enforcement eligibility. The Chief added officers retain discretion to return a device to parents in some circumstances if it does not meet violation criteria.
There was no formal committee vote to adopt the ordinance at the meeting. City Attorney Burke said the ordinance is scheduled for a first reading at next week’s council meeting and a second reading and vote on adoption at the Dec. 8 council meeting.
Next steps: the ordinance will advance to the full council for readings as scheduled; staff and council members indicated they will continue outreach and address implementation questions (licensing checks, impound procedures and officer discretion) before adoption.
