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Cruising bill stalls after residents and police warn of blocked streets and unsafe gatherings
Summary
Representative Cesar Aguilar's bill to bar local bans on "cruising" was held after residents and police described unsanctioned events that blocked streets, left trash and impeded emergency access; sponsor agreed to meet with cities and law enforcement to craft safety or permitting language.
Representative Cesar Aguilar told the House Transportation Committee that HB2317 simply would prevent cities from enacting bans on cruising, which he described as a cultural tradition and a way for communities to gather. "My bill just basically says that you can drive around multiple times, in a, on a street," Aguilar said, and he emphasized that illegal acts (drinking, urinating, property damage) would remain unlawful.
Multiple public speakers urged caution. Betty Moore, a resident of Grand Avenue, said an unsupervised cruising event in her neighborhood escalated into nights of thousands of attendees, illegal vending and a lack of sanitation: "It becomes a whole huge event unto itself," she said, and described blocked driveways, people sitting dangerously near traffic and public defecation. Rudy Mendoza, chief of police for Tolleson, said his city previously had to confront converging groups that effectively "take over Van Buren" and impede first-responder access; he urged the sponsor to work with local governments on an application and permit process to make events safe.
Sponsor Aguilar said he wanted to preserve cruising as a cultural practice and noted other states (including California) have adopted similar protections. He and museum representatives said the activity has a long history and cultural value, but Aguilar agreed to sit with city and law-enforcement representatives to draft language the committee could accept.
Why the committee held the bill: Municipal leaders and police stressed that unsanctioned cruises can block lanes, obstruct emergency access and create significant neighborhood disruption when they grow into large gatherings without permits, sanitation or policing. The chair held the measure to give the sponsor and cities an opportunity to propose amendments that allow cultural expression while protecting public safety.
What's next: The chair instructed the sponsor to convene stakeholders (cities, police, residents) to craft language that balances cultural protections with safety and permitting mechanisms. HB2317 will return to committee only after those negotiations produce agreed language.
