House votes to crack down on illegal street racing March 12, 2026 Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Shively, spoke on House Bill 425 on the House floor on Monday. The bill would strengthen penalties for illegal street racing. A high-res version is available here. FRANKFORT — A bipartisan effo rt to crack down on illegal street racing advanced off the Kentucky House floor on Monday. Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Shively, is the primary sponsor of House Bill 425. She said the legislation addresses a growing problem that puts lives at risk. “Street racing is not harmless entertainment,” Chester-Burton said. “It threatens the safety of drivers, passengers, pedestrians and entire neighborhoods. When people turn our public roads into racetracks, the consequences can be devastating.” HB 425 seeks to strengthen the penalties for illegal street racing by increasing fines and allowing for jail time, Chester-Burton said, adding the proposed penalties match the seriousness of the behavior. Illegal street racing would result in a $1,000 fine or up to 30 days in jail or both on the first offense, according to the legislation. Any motor vehicle used would be impounded for at least six months. Upon a second or subsequent offense, a person found guilty of street racing would face a $2,000 fine or 30 days in jail or both. Any motor vehicle used would be forfeited to the state and be destroyed or sold at public auction, according to the legislation. “The goal here is simple: create a real deterrent so people understand that putting lives at risk on our roads will come with serious consequences,” Chester-Burton said. Rep. Michael Sarge Pollock, R-Campbellsville, is a cosponsor of HB 425. He said the bill is a “good piece of legislation.” “I vote ‘absolutely’ on this bill,” Pollock added. House Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro, said she would love to vote “yes” on HB 425, but there is one provision of the legislation she does not support. “I am not for the destruction of property, so I will be a ‘no’ today,” she said. Rep. Deanna Gordon, R-Richmond, and Rep. Chris Fugate, R-Chavies, said they had concerns about how the bill may affect legal, recreational street racing in Eastern Kentucky. “In the past, we have passed legislation regarding the Backroads of Appalachia and some street racing that they do. Will this affect that in anyway?” Gordon asked. Fugate said he would vote “no” on HB 425 without a clear answer on how the legislation impacts Backroads of Appalachia. After some quick research, House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, who is also a primary cosponsor of the bill, said Backroads of Appalachia would not be impacted. “It doesn’t affect the program my friends are worried about in Appalachia because they have a permit to engage in what they’re doing,” Nemes said. “This is something that is unlawful and that would not be unlawful.” HB 425 will now go before the Senate for consideration after a 75-19 vote. The post House votes to crack down on illegal street racing appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less