The commissioner may, through contracts with other public agencies or with private entities, do all of the following:

(a) Provide financial or other support to projects aimed at enhancing motorcycle operation and safety, including, but not limited to, motorcyclist safety training programs. The motorcyclist safety training programs shall comply with criteria which the commissioner, in consultation with other state agencies and national motorcycle safety organizations, may adopt to provide validated motorcyclist safety training programs in the state.

(b) Sponsor and coordinate efforts aimed at increasing motorists’ awareness of motorcyclists.

(c) Sponsor research into effective communication techniques to reach all highway users on matters of motorcyclist safety.

(d) Establish an advisory committee of persons from other state and local agencies with an interest in motorcycle safety; persons from the motorcycle industry; motorcycle safety organizations; motorcycle enthusiast organizations; and others with an interest in motorcycle safety, to assist in the establishment of a comprehensive program of motorcycle safety.

(e) Adopt standards for course content, contact hours, curriculum, instructor training and testing, and instructional quality control, and setting forth a maximum amount for course fees for the novice rider training course specified in subdivisions (g) and (i) of Section 12804.9.

(f) (1) Adopt standards for course content, contact hours, curriculum, instructor training and testing, and instructional quality control, for a premier motorcyclist safety training program. Motorcycle safety training courses offered under a premier motorcyclist safety training program shall meet all of the following requirements:

(A) Provide a core curriculum approved for the novice rider training course specified in subdivision (e).

(B) Additional course requirements established by the commissioner.

(2) On and after January 1, 2008, the commissioner shall not impose a maximum amount for course fees for courses provided under the premier motorcyclist safety training program.

(3) All administrative costs of a premier motorcyclist safety training program shall be paid for by the provider, and none of the costs shall be paid for by the state.

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)