House Bill 1004

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-32-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ANY COUNTY TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND LOW-SPEED VEHICLES ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETING WITHIN THE COUNTY; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING SUCH GOLF CARTS OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLES TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE OR TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT AND PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO AMEND SECTION 63-32-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT ANY SUCH GOLF CARTS OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLES BE REGISTERED WITH THE COUNTY; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A REGISTRATION FEE IS IMPOSED BY A COUNTY FOR THE OPERATION OF SUCH GOLF CARTS OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLES, THEN THE FEE SHALL BE USED BY THE COUNTY SOLELY FOR PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND/OR RECONSTRUCTION OF COUNTY ROADS AND BRIDGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-32-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-32-3. (1) The governing authorities of a municipality or the board of supervisors of a county 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 municipality or the county.

(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 public roads and 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 chapter 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.

SECTION 2. Section 63-32-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-32-5. (1) Every golf cart and low-speed vehicle to be operated, as authorized under this chapter, on a public road or street shall be required to be registered with the city or the county, as the case may be. Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the city or the county, as the case may be, 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 county or municipal tax collector 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 or the county, as the case may be, 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 in his or her possession at all times while operating the golf cart or low-speed vehicle on public roads and streets of the state.

(2) (a) For municipalities, the registration fee imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the municipal clerk and deposited into the municipal general fund.

(b) For counties, the registration fee imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the chancery clerk and deposited into the county general fund but such registration fee shall not be considered by the county as general fund revenue but shall be dedicated solely to paying costs associated with the repair, maintenance and/or reconstruction of county roads and bridges.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.