The Breakdown
- The Kansas House of Representatives unanimously voted in favor of House Bill 2416.
- The bill, also known as the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act, protects existing racing facilities from civil suits for noise complaints.
- Once signed into law, Kansas will join other states in passing similar legislation.
An existing racing facility shouldn't have to worry about potential noise and nuisance issues that could arise when new neighbors start moving in. The state of Kansas agrees, as it's set to pass a bill known as the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act.
House Bill 2416 will protect existing motorsports facilities from potential civil suits based on nuisance claims. So if you buy land or property next to a race track and then try to complain about the noise, you're out of luck.
Almost Officially A Law
The Kansas House of Representatives voted 122-0 in favor of the bill. Previously, the Kansas Senate voted 38-2 in favor of House Bill 2416. Now it's off to the Governor of Kansas, so she can add her signature to the bill and approve it into law.
According to Car and Driver, there's no reason to believe Governor Laura Kelly would oppose a bill that both the state House and Senate are clearly in favor of advancing.
Kansas Joins Other States Passing Similar Laws
Iowa and North Carolina have already passed legislation to protect their existing racing facilities. Kansas appears to be next. And plenty more states are working on bills to do the same.
This is a good thing, since it's far safer for those with a need for speed to exercise their accelerators in a safe, legal place. Keeping motorsports facilities free from silly, unnecessary legal issues stemming from unhappy new neighbors helps provide proper venues for those who enjoy motorsports.
Motor1's Take: If you move near a race track that's been around for a while, and then proceed to complain about the noise, you're not a good person. You moved next to them. They're just existing, as they have for quite some time before you came along.
Passing legislation to stop noise- and nuisance-based civil complaints against racetracks is a no-brainer. I hope we see more of this across the country.
Source: Car and Driver
