1. A. There is hereby created in the Department of Public Safety the "Motorcycle Safety and Education Program." The Commissioner of Public safety may hire an administrator who shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the Program, as determined by the Commissioner.

   1. 1. The Program shall include courses of instruction which have been established or approved by the Administrator and are taught by instructors who have obtained national certification in the manner and form prescribed by the Administrator. The courses shall meet or exceed nationally accepted standards for courses of instruction in motorcycle safety and education. The courses shall include instruction for novice and experienced motorcycle and passengers, instruction in motorist awareness and alcohol and drug awareness, and any other kind of instruction the Administrator deems appropriate for motorcycle safety and education.
   2. 2. The program may include provisions for equipment purchases or leases, marketing and promotion, improving motorcycle license testing procedures, and such other provisions as deemed appropriate by the Administrator.
   3. 3. The Administrator may participate in a motorcycle manufacturer's motorcycle loan program in order to obtain equipment for use in courses of instruction.
   4. 4. The Administrator may contract with private schools and instructors to teach motorcycle safety and education courses; provide, such schools shall meet standards for motorcycle safety and education instruction as set by the Administrator and the instructors shall be certified as required by this section.
   5. 5. The Administrator shall evaluate the Program every two (2) years and shall periodically inspect public and private facilities and equipment and periodically evaluate procedures used in the courses of instruction. Evaluation and inspection reports shall be submitted to the Department of Public Safety and the Advisory Committee according to rules of this act.
2. B. The cost of administering and operating the Motorcycle Safety and Education Program and conducting courses of instruction shall be funded by the Motorcycle Safety and Education Program Revolving Fund, created in Section 3 of this act. Provided, reasonable tuition as set by the Administrator may be charged for each course if sufficient funds are not available to cover the costs of the Program as provided in Section 3 of this act.
3. C. The Administrator, with the approval of the Risk Management Administrator pursuant to Section 85.58A of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statues, may contract with a private insurer authorized to do business in this state for the purpose of purchasing insurance coverage pertinent to the operation of the Program.

Added by Laws 1999, c. 342, § 1, eff. November 1, 1999.