Bill Sponsors / Authors:

  Rep. Ann Johnson
  D - Houston

  Sen. Paul Bettencourt
  R - Houston

 

Supporting Documents / Links:

•   Sgt. Frank Gomes Testimony Support HB 1442
  March 21, 2023
•   Law enforcement cracking down on street takeovers ahead of Houston-area racing event
  Houston Public Media - March 2, 2023
•   Harris County targets crackdown on street takeovers: 'We will take your car - if you live
  Houston Chronicle - March 3, 2023

House Bill 1442 – Street Racing

Racing on public streets and roadways or “street takeovers” has become a serious problem in Houston and communities throughout Texas.  These events have resulted in injuries and death as well as damage to property.

The Texas Tribune reported in February of 2023 several cars and trucks did burnouts and spun donuts in the middle of various intersections across Austin. In raucous scenes captured on videos that went viral, their tires sent smoke into the crowd and even set some nearby spectators’ clothes on fire.

Since then, the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety have arrested and handed at least seven individuals criminal charges ranging from evading arrest to reckless driving to unlawful possession of a weapon.

Street takeovers have been seen in other cities, but this incident has caught the attention of top politicians.

Legislation enacted in 2021 inadvertently impeded the seizure of vehicles used in street racing and takeovers.  The legislature took an important step in addressing this issue by passing Senate Bill 1495 in the 87th Session expanding the offense of obstructing a highway or passageway to include engaging in a reckless driving exhibition.

Unfortunately, the enforcement provision of the bill was unclear.

House Bill 1442 makes the corrections needed to enable law enforcement the ability to order the seizure of vehicles used at these events. It amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to subject to criminal asset forfeiture property of any nature that is used or intended to be used in the commission of the offense of obstructing a highway or passageway by engaging in a reckless driving exhibition.

House Bill 1442 was signed into law on June 7, 2023 and effective on September 1, 2023.