Penalties for criminal street racing in Kentucky would increase 5x if new House bill passes

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A new bill targeting criminal street racing in the Commonwealth is advancing in Congress, but not without its critics.

The House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 465 on Wednesday, according to a news release.

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

“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, according to a news release. HB 465 would increase that amount to $1,000 for the first offense, potentially increasing to $2,000 for a second offense, Rep. Chester-Burton said.

John Blanton, R-Salyersville, said the bill could harm Kentucky tourism and dissuade drivers from participating in recreationally permitted street racing. Sponsors for HB 465 said it contains a provision that keeps recreational road racing exempt and only impacts illegal racing.

“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.

“I do have constitutional concerns, and I would like to research this further,” said Rep. T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington, who decided to vote ‘pass,’ on the bill, citing a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on excessive fines under the Eighth Amendment.

Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, thanked Rep. Chester-Burton and House Majority Whip Jason Nemes for sponsoring HB 465, calling the legislature important.

“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,” Rep. Marzian said.