BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2017 89R15024 JRR-F By: Bettencourt Criminal Justice 5/2/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Street racing and reckless driving were addressed by the 88th Legislature with the passage of H.B. 2899 and H.B. 1442. However, current statute does not address burnouts and wheelies. Although burnouts and wheelies create an unsafe driving environment, there is currently no penalty that law enforcement officers can use to deter and punish this form of reckless driving. With the success of the 88th Legislature's reckless driving legislation in deterring dangerous street takeovers and racing offenses, S.B. 2017 seeks to further the success of past legislation. S.B. 2017 aims to create a criminal penalty for those who perform burnouts and wheelies. The proposed penalty would make this a Class C misdemeanor. As proposed, S.B. 2017 amends current law relating to the creation of a criminal offense for operating a vehicle under certain circumstances causing a tire of the vehicle to spin, lose traction, or leave the surface of a highway. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, by adding Section 545.4015, as follows: Sec. 545.4015. OPERATION OF VEHICLE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSING TIRE TO SPIN, LOSE TRACTION, OR LEAVE SURFACE OF ROADWAY; OFFENSE. (a) Prohibits an operator of a stationary vehicle from breaking traction to spin a tire of the vehicle by pressing the accelerator and increasing the engine speed. (b) Prohibits an operator of a vehicle from intentionally or knowingly accelerating the vehicle in a manner that causes any tire of the vehicle to lose traction or leave the surface of the highway. (c) Provides that a person who violates this section commits an offense. Provides that an offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2017
89R15024 JRR-F By: Bettencourt
Criminal Justice
5/2/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2017
89R15024 JRR-F
By: Bettencourt
Criminal Justice
5/2/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Street racing and reckless driving were addressed by the 88th Legislature with the passage of H.B. 2899 and H.B. 1442. However, current statute does not address burnouts and wheelies. Although burnouts and wheelies create an unsafe driving environment, there is currently no penalty that law enforcement officers can use to deter and punish this form of reckless driving. With the success of the 88th Legislature's reckless driving legislation in deterring dangerous street takeovers and racing offenses, S.B. 2017 seeks to further the success of past legislation.
S.B. 2017 aims to create a criminal penalty for those who perform burnouts and wheelies. The proposed penalty would make this a Class C misdemeanor.
As proposed, S.B. 2017 amends current law relating to the creation of a criminal offense for operating a vehicle under certain circumstances causing a tire of the vehicle to spin, lose traction, or leave the surface of a highway.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, by adding Section 545.4015, as follows:
Sec. 545.4015. OPERATION OF VEHICLE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSING TIRE TO SPIN, LOSE TRACTION, OR LEAVE SURFACE OF ROADWAY; OFFENSE. (a) Prohibits an operator of a stationary vehicle from breaking traction to spin a tire of the vehicle by pressing the accelerator and increasing the engine speed.
(b) Prohibits an operator of a vehicle from intentionally or knowingly accelerating the vehicle in a manner that causes any tire of the vehicle to lose traction or leave the surface of the highway.
(c) Provides that a person who violates this section commits an offense. Provides that an offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.