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Committee adopts amendment tightening penalties for organized illegal racing; advances bill as amended
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to align traffic-code cross-references and voted to advance SB247 as amended, which raises penalties so that a second or subsequent conviction for racing on a public highway can be charged more severely; Arkansas State Police witnesses described rising organized racing coordinated via social media.
The Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs Committee adopted an amendment and advanced SB247, a traffic-code change designed to increase penalties for organized illegal racing on public roads.
Senator Johnson introduced the amendment to ensure cross-references in the traffic code accurately reflect the bill's change to penalties for racing on a public highway. Mary Claire McLaren of the Arkansas State Police told the committee the amendment adjusts a code cross-reference so a second or subsequent offense can carry higher penalties. Major Jason Aaron of the Arkansas State Police described an increase in organized racing, saying citation counts in the past year "have more than doubled" and that large groups coordinate on social media, sometimes "15 to 20 to 75 to 100" participants, shutting down streets and highways. Major Aaron said the bill would give prosecutors the option to treat second and subsequent offenses as felonies depending on circumstances.
The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote. After questions and additional remarks from the sponsor and State Police, the committee voted to report SB247 do-pass as amended. Members emphasized the measure is a public safety response to organized events that disrupt traffic and endanger participants and other road users.
The bill was advanced and the committee cleared the docket.
