Tennessee House Bill HB2062

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Refer: 1/29/24
• Refer: 3/6/24
• Refer: 3/19/24
• Refer: 4/17/24
• Chaptered: 6/3/24
• Passed: 6/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 55, relative to street racing.

Impact

The implementation of HB2062 is expected to have significant implications on state laws regarding public safety and illegal racing activities. By creating a formal structure through the task force, the bill seeks to unify responses from local law enforcement to what has emerged as a pressing public concern. The task force will report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 2025, potentially leading to new laws or modifications of existing statutes addressing street racing and related offenses.

Summary

House Bill 2062, known as the Jacob (Jake) T. Barnhardt Act, aims to address the rising issue of illegal street racing in Tennessee. The bill establishes a street racing task force composed of 17 members from various local and state law enforcement and government positions, tasked with studying illegal street racing and developing best practices for curbing such activities. The task force is also responsible for determining the required resources to implement these practices at local levels and to assess whether additional state legislation is necessary to support these efforts.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB2062 appears to be largely supportive among those who view the bill as a proactive measure to enhance public safety. Advocates argue that organized efforts to combat street racing are necessary, especially as communities have reported increasing incidents of dangerous racing on public roads. However, there may be underlying tensions concerning funding and resource allocation for the task force's activities and the reaction from communities that could feel over-policed by increased law enforcement measures.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill include concerns about the effectiveness and the potential for overreach associated with heightened policing strategies. The establishment of the task force may lead to debates about its recommendations and whether the measures taken will genuinely address the root causes of illegal street racing or merely displace the issue elsewhere. Additionally, the implementation costs and the logistics involved in coordinating between various municipalities and state agencies are also anticipated to be contentious topics as the bill is set into motion.