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SB686 SUB1 Senate Bill 686 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted

WEST virginia legislature

2016 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 686

By Senators Maynard, Carmichael, Gaunch, Karnes, Takubo, Walters and Blair

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported on February 28, 2016]

 

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-3pp; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-12-5g, all relating to authorizing local governing authorities to hold sanctioned motor vehicle races on public roads or municipal streets or airports under their jurisdiction; requiring issuance of permit in relation to racing event; providing immunity from damages; and declaring that an authorized racing event is not a nuisance or subject to speed restrictions.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:


That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §7-1-3pp; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §8-12-5g, all to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6. COUNTY COMMISSIONS GENERALLY.

§7-1-3pp. Authorizing county commissions to hold motor vehicle racing events on             public roads, municipal streets or airports.


(a) In addition to all other powers and duties not conferred by law upon county commissions, such commissions are empowered to organize and hold motor vehicle racing events on roads and airports in counties in this state; to require a permit; to provide for the issuance of a permit; to prescribe certain requirements for obtaining a permit; to provide for certain powers and duties of the permit holder and the county in relation to a racing event; to provide immunity from damages; and to declare that such a racing event is not a nuisance or subject to speed restrictions.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) “Person” shall mean an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or other legal entity;

(2) “Public road” shall mean a road or open country highway under the control of the county court or the governing body of a municipality which is not classified in the state road system;

(3) “Municipal street” shall mean an urban or suburban street under the control of the governing body of a municipality which is not classified in the state road system;

(4) “Motor vehicle” shall mean and include any mechanical device for the conveyance, drawing or other transportation of persons or property upon the public roads, whether operated on wheels or runners or by other means, except those propelled or drawn by human power or those used exclusively upon rails; and

(5) “Racing event” shall mean a motor vehicle race which is sanctioned by a nationally or internationally recognized racing organization and includes preparations, practices and qualifications for the race.

(c) A county commission may provide for the issuance of a permit allowing the person to whom the permit is issued to conduct a racing event on a public road or municipal street or at airports located within its jurisdiction.  A person shall not conduct a racing event unless the person has been issued a permit under this section.

(d) The county commission may charge a reasonable fee for the issuance of a permit under this section. 

(e) Before a county commission issues a racing event permit under subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the county commission shall determine all of the following:

(1) That the person applying for the permit has adequate insurance to pay any damages incurred because of loss or injury to any person or property;

(2) That adequate security, emergency services and necessary facilities will be provided during the racing event; and

(3) That the person applying for the permit has demonstrated the ability to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county, the race participants and those attending the racing event.

(f) For purposes of a racing event held under this section, the county commission may do all of the following:

(1) Provide for the temporary closing or obstructing of roads, streets, alleys, sidewalks and airport runways;

(2) Reroute pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and

(3) Waive ordinances and traffic regulations including speed limits and traffic control devices.

(g) A racing event held under this section and any action taken under subsections (c) and (e) of this section shall be considered as being for public purposes, including the promotion of commerce and tourism for the benefit of the citizens of the county and state.

(h) A county that issues a permit under this section shall not be liable for any damages that may result from the racing event because of loss or injury to any person or property.  After a permit is issued, the state shall not be liable for any damages that may result from the racing event because of loss or injury to any person or property.

(i) The provisions related to road obstructions and public nuisance set forth in section one, article sixteen, chapter seventeen of this code do not apply to an authorized racing event held under this section.

(j) The provisions of article six, chapter seventeen-c of this code shall not apply to an authorized racing event held under this section.


ARTICLE 8. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC POWERS, DUTIES AND ALLIED RELATIONS OF MUNICIPALITIES, GOVERNING BODIES, MUNICIPAL OFFICES AND EMPLOYEES; SUITS AGAINST MUNICIPALITIES.

§8-12-5g. Authorizing municipalities to hold motor vehicle racing events on public roads, municipal streets or runways.


            (a) In addition to all other powers and duties not conferred by law upon municipalities, such municipalities are empowered to organize and hold motor vehicle racing events on roads and airports in this state under their jurisdiction; to require a permit; to provide for the issuance of a permit; to prescribe certain requirements for obtaining a permit; to provide for certain powers and duties of the permit holder and the municipality in relation to a racing event; to provide immunity from damages; and to declare that such a racing event is not a nuisance or prohibited street racing.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) “Person” shall mean an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or other legal entity;

(2) “Public road” shall mean a road or open country highway under the control of the county court or the governing body of a municipality which is not classified in the state road system;

(3) “Municipal street” shall mean an urban or suburban street under the control of the governing body of a municipality which is not classified in the state road system;

(4) “Motor vehicle” shall mean and include any mechanical device for the conveyance, drawing or other transportation of persons or property upon the public roads, whether operated on wheels or runners or by other means, except those propelled or drawn by human power or those used exclusively upon rails; and

(5) “Racing event” shall mean a motor vehicle race which is sanctioned by a nationally or internationally recognized racing organization and includes preparations, practices and qualifications for the race.

(c) A municipality may provide for the issuance of a permit allowing the person to whom the permit is issued to conduct a racing event on a public road, municipal street or airport located within its jurisdiction.  A person shall not conduct a racing event unless the person has been issued a permit under this section.

(d) The municipality may charge a reasonable fee for the issuance of a permit under this section. 

(e) Before a municipality issues a racing event permit under subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the municipality shall determine all of the following:

(1) That the person applying for the permit has adequate insurance to pay any damages incurred because of loss or injury to any person or property;

(2) That adequate security, emergency services and necessary facilities will be provided during the racing event; and

(3) That the person applying for the permit has demonstrated the ability to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the municipality, the race participants and those attending the racing event.

(f) For purposes of a racing event held under this section, the municipality may do all of the following:

(1) Provide for the temporary closing or obstructing of roads, streets, alleys, sidewalks and airport runways;

(2) Reroute pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and

(3) Waive ordinances and traffic regulations including speed limits and traffic control devices.

(g) A racing event held under this section and any action taken under subsections (e) and (f) of this section shall be considered as being for public purposes, including the promotion of commerce and tourism for the benefit of the citizens of the municipality and state.

(h) A municipality that issues a permit under this section shall not be liable for any damages that may result from the racing event because of loss or injury to any person or property.  After a permit is issued, the state shall not be liable for any damages that may result from the racing event because of loss or injury to any person or property.

(i) The provisions related to road obstructions and public nuisance set forth in section one, article sixteen, chapter seventeen of this code do not apply to an authorized racing event held under this section.

(j) The provisions of article six, chapter seventeen-c of this code shall not apply to an authorized racing event held under this section.

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