House committee votes to crack down on street racing

House committee votes to crack down on street racing February 26, 2025

Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Shively, speaks on House Bill 465 before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. HB 465 would strengthen penalties for unlawful street racing in Kentucky. A high-resolution photo can be found here.

FRANKFORT — Criminal penalties for unlawful street racing in Kentucky would increase under a new House bill.

The House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 465 on Wednesday. Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Shively, and House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, are the primary sponsors of the legislation.

Chester-Burton, who represents part of Jefferson County, said the bill was modeled after Louisville Metro Council’s efforts to curb street racing.

“House Bill 465 is presented today as an effort to address the issue of street racing where it’s been significantly affecting my area in Jefferson County,” she said. “However, I have had other members throughout the community who have contacted me about street racing.”

The current penalty for street racing in Kentucky is a $200 fine. Under HB 465, the fine would increase to $1,000 on the first offense, and violators could face a $2,000 fine on the second or subsequent offense, Chester-Burton said.

Violators could have the vehicle used in the act impounded on a first offense as well. For a second or subsequent offense, violators could spend up to 30 days in jail and have the vehicle seized for crushing or auction. The revenue would go to the Crime Victims Compensation Board, she added.

Nemes said the penalty increase is needed to hopefully deter street racing across the commonwealth.

“These are people who are deliberately putting citizens’ lives in danger,” Nemes said. “They know they’re doing it, so the first time we’re only going to fine them $1,000. I think it should be much higher than that, but that’s what we’ve put as the first offense.”

Nemes said street racing is getting “out of control” in Jefferson County.

Metro Councilwoman Donna Purvis testified in support of HB 465. She said illegal street racing often involves violence.

“I am sure this is not just a Louisville problem, and for that reason, a message should be sent to the entire state there will be serious consequences for the endangerment of other’s lives,” Purvis said.

Recreational, permitted street racing is a new activity in the commonwealth. Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, asked Chester-Burton and Nemes if HB 465 could inadvertently ban the activity.

“I’m supportive of the bill, but I want to make sure we don’t inadvertently prevent the tourism aspect that’s going on in southeast Kentucky where we’re doing permitted road racing there,” Blanton said.

Committee chair Daniel Elliott, R-Danville, said there is a provision in HB 465 that keeps the recreational road racing exempt. Nemes confirmed the legislation only impacts illegal activities.

The House Judiciary Committee approved HB 465 by a 15-0 vote with one member passing.

Rep. T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington, decided to vote pass due to constitutionality concerns over the seizure provision in the bill.

“I do have constitutional concerns, and I would like to research this further,” he said, citing a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on excessive fines under the Eighth Amendment.

In voting “yes,” Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, thanked Chester-Burton and Nemes for bringing HB 465.

“It is so important,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to see what happens — the devastation and the deaths of people — it’s going to be all over the state before we know it.”

HB 465 will now go before the full House for its consideration

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https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/publicservices/pio/release.html#HB465022525