Panel backs higher fines, vehicle forfeiture for illegal street racing; sponsors cite rising fatalities

Representative Beverly Chester Burton presented House Bill 465 to address illegal street racing, which she said has become a significant problem in Jefferson County and elsewhere.

"What this bill simply does really is change the fines where it goes from 200 to a thousand. And then the second offense where it raises the fine up to 2,000. But the difference with the second offense is that the car would be forfeited to the state for crushing or auction if and the money would then go to the victims," Representative Beverly Chester Burton said.

Metro Councilwoman Donna Purvis testified in support, recounting constituent reports of streets being taken over by racers and the presence of weapons that prevent witnesses from speaking out. "These events can lead to dangerous outcomes, violating traffic laws that were created to protect all citizens," Purvis said.

Representative Blanton and others asked whether permitted, sanctioned racing events would be affected. Sponsors pointed to statutory exceptions for sanctioned racing under existing statutes and said the bill targets illegal street racing on public highways.

Concerns were raised about constitutional limits on forfeiture. Representative Roberts flagged the U.S. Supreme Court's 2019 excessive-fines jurisprudence and said vehicles may be worth significantly more than a $2,000 fine, asking for additional research; he reserved the right to change his vote on the floor.

Committee action: Chair Elliott recorded the roll call: "With 15 yes votes and no no votes and 1 pass vote, House Bill 465 as amended is passed with favorable expression." The transcript shows one pass recorded during the roll call.

Next steps: The committee sent the bill to the floor with its favorable report; sponsors said they are open to follow-up discussions on fine levels and forfeiture mechanics to ensure constitutionality and alignment with existing exceptions for permitted racing.