Senator Bettencourt told the committee Senate Bill 2017 would create a criminal penalty for intentionally performing burnouts or wheelies on public roadways, describing the behavior as an increasingly common and dangerous activity that endangers motorists and bystanders.

The bill would make it a Class C misdemeanor to intentionally accelerate so that a tire loses traction or to cause the front wheels to leave the roadway surface. Sergeant Scott Hewitt of the Department of Public Safety testified as a resource witness and said wheelies and burnouts have become more frequent and can create serious hazards.

During questioning, committee members discussed the bill’s mens rea language (intentionally or knowingly) to distinguish deliberate stunts from unintentional skids or hydroplaning. Sponsors signaled openness to refining language to target clearly intentional, dangerous conduct.

The committee closed testimony and left the bill pending for further drafting.