Senate panel advances bill broadening street drag-racing offense, including social-media promotion

Senator Taylor told the committee that SB 14-74 renames drag racing to "street drag racing" and expands the offense to cover drifting, stunts and reckless driving performed for spectators while adding organizers and promoters — and social-media promotion — as potential targets of criminal charges. "It adds social media challenges to how events can be promoted or organized as an offense," Taylor said, urging a favorable report to finance.

Senator Lamar questioned the bill's reach, asking whether someone who posts about an informal gathering could be charged if illegal activity occurred. "My only concern would be is that you're setting a precedence of, you know, say, for example, somebody's throwing a house party and they're promoting it and something illegal there happens... they can get charged," Lamar said. Taylor replied the measure targets those who "organize[] promot[e] these events."

Senator Rose raised the bill's fiscal note, saying she saw a figure near $1,800,000; Taylor acknowledged the note and told members that no amendment addressing the fiscal impact had been filed in committee and that finance would review the estimate.

On a roll-call vote the committee recorded seven ayes and two noes (Senators Kyle and Lamar). The chair announced that SB 14-74 will go to the finance committee for further review.

The committee's action advances the sponsor's effort to broaden criminal liability for street-based auto stunts and to add enforcement tools such as impoundment, seizure and, on conviction, forfeiture. The next step is deliberation by the Senate Finance Committee.