Senate Bill 116, designed to revise and clarify state law on street racing and related conduct, passed the Senate after an extended debate that highlighted concerns about tourism-driven events and local enforcement.

Senator Peterson, the sponsor, told the chamber the bill "addresses the public safety issues caused by illegal street racing by providing clear criminal and civil penalties for participants and spectators." Peterson said the measure provides definitions for activities such as drag racing, drifting, burnouts and wheelies and supplies penalties and enforcement tools that sponsors say law enforcement has requested.

Opponents and cautioning voices on the floor raised several concerns. Senator Melhoff and others said the bill's language was broad and could unintentionally capture lawful, organized events such as charity rides and rodeos; Melhoff said the bill "cast[s] into question a lot of things that are currently lawful behavior." Senator Duhamel and other supporters of tourism in the Black Hills flagged possible unintended consequences for events tied to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Some senators argued local ordinances and existing reckless- or exhibition-driving statutes could address most conduct and that local law enforcement should enforce those laws.

Senators reported working with stakeholders including ABATE and law-enforcement groups on amendments; Peterson said amendments addressed many opponents' concerns and stressed law enforcement and municipal leaders had supported the measure in committee hearings. The secretary recorded final passage at 25 yeas, 9 nays and 1 excused. The presiding officer declared Senate Bill 116 passed and the title correct.

Floor debate emphasized the tension between statewide uniform enforcement for dangerous driving behaviors and the desire to avoid interfering with lawful organized events and local enforcement practices.