SB 1270 - This act regulates the operation of motor scooters. As defined in the act, a motor scooter is a device with two tandem wheels, one which has a brake, that has handlebars which is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator and is powered by an electric motor or internal combustion engine that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a speed no greater than twenty-five miles per hour on a level road. Under the act, no driver's license shall be required to operate a motor scooter. A motor scooter with an internal combustion engine shall have a functionally effective muffler as original equipment or an original equipment manufacturer replacement part; provided that any replacement muffler shall not cause the engine to make more noise than it did when it was originally manufactured. Every motor scooter when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with and shall use lamps. No person under seventeen years of age shall operate or be a passenger on a motor scooter unless the operator or passenger wears protective headgear. Every person operating a motor scooter shall ride as near to the right side of the highway, roadway or alleyway as practicable and shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. Any violation of the provisions of the act shall be deemed a class C misdemeanor. STEPHEN WITTE