Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate requiring motocross liability insurance

A new bill filed by State Sen. Kennedy seeks to ensure motocross racing facilities maintain adequate liability insurance to protect against injuries and property damage, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 629 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Ride Safe, Insure Smart Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill requires motocross racing facilities open to the public in North Carolina to carry liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate for injuries to people or property resulting from their operations. The insurance must be provided by an insurer approved by the Commissioner of Insurance and authorized to do business in the state. The bill stipulates no per person liability sublimits in the insurance contract, and facility operators must notify the Commissioner of any policy changes, including cancellations. If operators fail to prove insurance upon request, the Commissioner can prohibit facility operation until compliance is met. The bill exempts private facilities not open to the public or facilities owned by the state or local governments. The rulemaking authority is effective upon enactment, and the remaining provisions take effect July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Woodson Bradley proposed the most bills (60) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.