South Carolina passes ‘Right to Race’ legislation protecting existing racetracks
South Carolina has become the fourth state to enact Right to Race legislation after Gov. Henry McMaster signed House Bill 4706 into law on May 19.
The new South Carolina Right to Race law is designed to protect existing racetracks from nuisance lawsuits tied to nearby residential development. Supporters say the legislation reflects growing national momentum to preserve motorsports facilities as suburban expansion continues to impact racetracks across the country.
The American Motorcyclist Association backed the legislation alongside the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI).
“The passage of H. 4706 is another welcome addition to the growing support behind Right to Race legislation across the country,” says Max Colchin, AMA eastern states representative. “We are grateful to Governor McMaster for signing this legislation and to South Carolina’s lawmakers for their commitment to protecting the state’s racetracks. We look forward to building on this momentum in statehouses across the country.”
What the South Carolina Right to Race law does
Under the new law, pre-existing racing facilities in South Carolina cannot face nuisance claims from surrounding property owners within a three-mile radius, provided the racetrack secured the necessary permits or existed before nearby landowners purchased or developed their property.
Industry advocates say the law provides long-term protection for motorsports venues that often face legal challenges as housing developments expand closer to established racetracks.
According to the AMA’s statement on the bill, the racing industry contributes nearly $1 billion annually to South Carolina’s economy and supports more than 5,000 full-time jobs statewide.
Other states adopting Right to Race laws
South Carolina joins Iowa, North Carolina and Kansas as states that have adopted Right to Race legislation. Similar Right to Race bills are currently active in Michigan, Ohio and Oklahoma as lawmakers and motorsports advocates continue pushing for racetrack protections nationwide.
For more information on Right to Race legislation and motorcycle advocacy efforts, visit American Motorcyclist Association.
