SEMA and PRI are leading a national effort to protect race tracks from "Not In My Backyard"-generated nuisance lawsuits. Here’s the latest:  
 

In a win for the racing industry, the Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee has voted unanimously to advance the Racing Facility and Racetrack Qualified Defense Act (SB1195), a measure establishing nuisance protections for long‑standing racing facilities operating in compliance with federal, state and local laws. The bill, authored by Sen. Kendal Sacchieri with Rep. Eric Roberts, now moves to the full Senate for consideration. 

SEMA and PRI support SB 1195 as part of the organizations' broader Right‑to‑Race campaign. Across the country, motorsports facilities serve as anchors for local economies, small businesses and community traditions. 
 

This strong bipartisan committee vote reflects growing statewide recognition of the economic and cultural importance of Oklahoma's motorsports venues. SB 1195 protects long-standing facilities from being litigated out of existence simply because the neighborhood changed around them. 
 

Industry supporters applauded the vote. 
 

"Oklahoma's race tracks have supported families like mine for generations," said Gerald Brand of Brand Racing. "I'm grateful to Sen. Sacchieri for standing up for our racing community and championing a bill that helps ensure these facilities can continue operating responsibly for years to come."
 

SEMA and PRI continue to push for state-level "Right to Race" protections that help ensure properly established racing facilities can continue operating responsibly while communities retain the local traditions, weekend commerce and small-business activity that racing venues often anchor. 
 

Learn more about the Right to Race campaign at SEMA.org/right-to-race. 
 

For more information, contact Victor Muñoz, senior manager for state government affairs for SEMA and PRI, at victorm@sema.org. 

Lead image courtesy of Shutterstock | zmotions