Senate Bill 3026

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY OF BAY ST. LOUIS; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A LOW-SPEED VEHICLE OR GOLF CART TO HAVE A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE AND PROOF OF INSURANCE; TO REQUIRE LOW-SPEED VEHICLES OR GOLF CARTS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE CITY; TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO CHARGE A REGISTRATION FEE; 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) "City" means the City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" mean the Mayor and City Council of the City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

(c) "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, headlamps, tail lamps, seat belts and turn signals.

(d) "Low-speed vehicle" means any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicle that has a top speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour but less than twenty-five (25) miles per hour and is equipped with a parking brake, headlamps, tail lamps, seat belts and front and rear turn signals.

SECTION 2. (1) The governing authorities may, in their discretion, by ordinance, authorize the operation of low-speed vehicles or golf carts only on public roads and streets with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less in the City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The authorization must be embodied in an ordinance and recorded on the minutes of the City Council. 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.

(2) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle or golf cart on the public roads and streets in the city under this act must have in his or her possession a valid driver's license from this state or another state and proof of insurance, and follow the applicable requirements of Section 63-15-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. (1) Every low-speed vehicle and golf cart operated as authorized under this act on a public road or street shall be required to register the vehicle with the city. The owner of the low-speed vehicle or golf cart shall be issued a registration decal by the city that must be displayed as determined by the city. The registration shall remain valid for as long as the registering owner owns the low-speed vehicle or golf cart. The operator shall be required to have proof of insurance and a valid driver's license in his or her possession at all times while operating the low-speed vehicle or golf cart on public roads and streets of the state.

(2) The city may, by ordinance, establish a registration fee for low-speed vehicles and golf carts. The registration fee shall be retained by the municipal clerk and deposited into the municipal general fund.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.