MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2018 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Gipson

House Bill 1686

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF MAGEE, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  As used in this act, unless a different meaning clearly appears in the context, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

          (a)  "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Magee, Mississippi.

          (b)  "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designated and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour and is equipped with a parking brake.

          (c)  "City" means the City of Magee, Mississippi.

     SECTION 2.  (1)  (a)  The governing authorities of the City of Magee, Mississippi, may, in their discretion, through an adopted ordinance that must be recorded on the minutes of the city, authorize the operation of golf carts only on public roads and streets, other than U.S. Highway 49 and Simpson Highway 149, that are within the city limits of the City of Magee, Mississippi.  The authorization may be accompanied by conditions not inconsistent with this act and may be revoked, in whole or in part, by the governing authorities at any time.

          (b)  The mayor and/or the chief of police of the city shall publish a list of public roads and streets within the city where golf carts may be operated as prescribed under this act.

     (2)  Any person operating a golf cart on the public roads and streets under this act must have in his or her possession a valid temporary driver's license or a valid driver's license and proof of financial responsibility as required under Section 63-15-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (3)  Golf carts may not be operated on urban interstate highways, urban freeways and expressways, urban principal arterial streets or urban minor arterial streets as defined by the comprehensive plan of the city.

     (4)  Any golf cart operated on public roads and streets from dusk through dawn must have working headlights and tail lights and any golf cart shall not be used to pull any object or person.

     (5)  All occupants of a golf cart must be in a seat and must remain seated at all times while the golf cart is in operation.

     (6)  The owner of any golf cart operated on public roads and streets as authorized under this act shall have in full force and effect bodily injury liability insurance coverage of no less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) per person and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) per occurrence.

     (7)  Violation of traffic laws or regulations of this act may result in the issuance of traffic citations in the same manner as if the infraction occurred while driving a car.

            (8)  The operation of ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), sport ATVs and utility ATVs on public roads and streets is prohibited except where incidental to a landowner's use or where customarily permitted for special events such as parades in the city limits.

     (9)  The governing authorities may act to revoke the rights of residents in any and all specified subdivisions to operate golf carts at any time, and the governing authorities reserve the right to add to, delete from or other otherwise amend the conditions and restrictions at any time.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.