House Bill 1449 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to address street drag racing and related activities. The bill specifically changes the terminology from "drag racing" to "street drag racing" throughout the relevant statutes. It introduces new definitions, including "drifting," which refers to the act of steering a vehicle to create a skid, and expands the definition of a "participant" in street drag racing to include not only drivers but also those who organize or promote such events. Additionally, the bill stipulates that vehicles used in street drag racing can be impounded and subject to seizure upon conviction, and it mandates that law enforcement officers must take arrested individuals before a magistrate rather than issuing citations.

Furthermore, the bill establishes reckless endangerment by street drag racing as a Class E felony, thereby increasing the legal consequences for engaging in this activity. It also updates various sections of the law to reflect these changes, ensuring consistency in terminology and definitions across multiple statutes. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the state's commitment to addressing the dangers associated with street drag racing.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 55-10-501(1), 55-10-501, 55-10-501(1)(E), 55-10-502(a), 55-10-502, 55-10-503, 39-13-103(b), 39-13-103, 7-3-312(b)(4), 7-3-312, 39-13-213(a)(3), 39-13-213, 40-4-122(b)(4), 40-4-122, 55-10-206(b), 55-10-206, 55-10-306(b)(2), 55-10-306, 55-10-307(b)(4), 55-10-307, 68-55-306