House of Representatives

HB 2452

Steven's law; drag racing; penalty

Sponsors: Representatives Foster, Chase, Miranda, Avelar, et al.

w/d	Committee on Transportation
dpa	Committee on Judiciary
DPA S/E	Committee on Judiciary (Re-referred)
DPA	Caucus and COW
X	Third Read
	As Passed the House

HB 2452 increases the criminal penalties for drag racing.

Current Status

HB 2452 passed the Judiciary Committee with a strike-everything amendment that increases the penalties for drag racing and sets fines and community service requirements for drag racing convictions. The Judiciary strike-everything amendment was adopted in the Committee of the Whole.

History

Under current law, if a person drives a vehicle or participates in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on a street or highway, the person is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to four months jail/$750 fine). A second or subsequent conviction is also a Class 2 misdemeanor.

A Strike-Everything Amendment will be offered to HB 2452 with the following provisions:

· Increases the penalty for drag racing to a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months jail/$2500 fine).

· Increases the penalty for subsequent violations within two years of the first violation to a Class 6 felony (up to one year/$150,000 fine).

· Orders that a person shall pay a minimum fine of $250 for a first offense and a minimum fine of $500 for a subsequent offense.

· Authorizes the court to order community service for a drag racing conviction.

The Strike-Everything Amendment was adopted by the Judiciary Committee.

The Judiciary strike-everything amendment was adopted in the Committee of the Whole.

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45th Legislature

Second Regular Session 2 April 4, 2002

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