A PRI- and SEMA-opposed bill in Arkansas that threatened to impose severe restrictions on local race tracks, has been withdrawn by its author.

This marks a significant victory for PRI, SEMA and the community of grassroots racing enthusiasts in Arkansas. To generate opposition to the bill, PRI and SEMA issued an urgent legislative alert to Arkansas motorsports businesses, race tracks and fans regarding House Bill (HB) 1564, which generated more than 7,000 letters to lawmakers. Additionally, SEMA and PRI worked with automotive celebrity Alex Taylor, an Arkansas native, on an Instagram reel promoting the letter-writing campaign, which garnered more than 400,000 views.

Arkansas lawmakers were considering HB 1564, which proposed onerous restrictions for race tracks, including new insurance requirements, limitations on noise levels, hours of operation and types of events that could be held. The bill, introduced by State Representative Wayne Long (R) and Senator Ronald Caldwell (R), sparked significant debate among legislators, community members and racing enthusiasts.

In a letter to the Arkansas lawmakers, Christian Robinson, SEMA and PRI's senior director of state government affairs, highlighted that the proposed restrictions could have led to job losses and reduced economic activity in the regions where race tracks are located.

"We believe that this legislation creates unnecessary regulatory burdens that could stifle motorsports events and related businesses, risks job losses and revenue declines in communities that rely on motorsports tourism and events [and] sets a concerning precedent for government overreach into private business operations without clear justification," stated Robinson. The specialty automotive aftermarket industry contributes more than $3.42 billion in economic impact and supports nearly 15,000 jobs.

"HB 1564 threatened to undermine the positive impacts of motorsports on Arkansas's economy and community," said Robinson. "We are pleased that the bill has been pulled and urge lawmakers to work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop policies that support both motorsports and local communities."

The decision to pull HB 1564 before the committee hearing is a significant win for the entire industry. The swift mobilization and the overwhelming response from the racing community played a crucial role in this outcome.

PRI and SEMA remain committed to protecting the racing community's interests and will continue to advocate for policies that support the industry and local economies. This victory demonstrates the power of collective action and the importance of standing up for the motorsports community.

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