Senate Bill 2288

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF GUNTOWN, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND LOW-SPEED VEHICLES ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A GOLF CART OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLE TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE OR TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT AND PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REGISTRATION OF GOLF CARTS AND LOW-SPEED VEHICLES; TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO CHARGE A REASONABLE REGISTRATION FEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. As used in this act:

(a) "City" means the City of Guntown, Mississippi.

(b) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designated and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes, 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.

(c) "Low-speed vehicle" means any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicle that has a top speed no greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour and is equipped with safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500.

SECTION 2. (1) The governing authorities of the city may, in their discretion, authorize the operation of golf carts and low-speed vehicles only on public roads and streets as designated by ordinance, within the corporate limits of the city.

(2) Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may be operated on public roads and streets upon which bicycles are authorized by law to be operated. Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may not be operated on state highways or federal highways that are not interstate highways except for the crossing of these streets, in which case the shortest traveling distance to do so shall be required. Drivers are required to operate golf carts and low-speed vehicles only in the outside lane of multilane streets and roads, where applicable.

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

SECTION 3. (1) Every golf cart and low-speed vehicle to be operated, as authorized under this act, on a public road or street shall be required to be registered with the city. Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the city to cover the costs of administration, presentation of proof of financial responsibility and presentation of a valid driver's license or temporary driver's permit, the owner of the golf cart or low-speed vehicle shall be issued a registration decal by the city that must be displayed on the left rear fender of the vehicle. The registration shall remain valid for as long as the registering owner owns the golf cart or low-speed vehicle. The city shall provide the registrant with a map of the areas where golf carts or low-speed vehicles may be operated at the time of registration. The operator shall be required to have proof of financial responsibility and a valid driver's license or temporary driver's permit in his or her possession at all times while operating the golf cart or low-speed vehicle on public roads and streets of the city.

(2) The registration fee imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the city clerk and deposited into the city general fund.

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