Senate Bill 2149

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF GUNTOWN, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLES ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLE TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND PROOF OF INSURANCE; TO REQUIRE SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLES 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 Guntown, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the city.

(c) "Side-by-side vehicle" means a four-wheeled, motorized vehicle designed for off-road use and equipped with lights, blinkers, seat belts, a horn, and a two-passenger front seat.

SECTION 2. (1) The governing authorities may, in their discretion, by ordinance, authorize the operation of side-by-side vehicles only on public roads and streets in the city. The authorization must be embodied in an ordinance and recorded on the minutes of the Board of Aldermen. 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 side-by-side vehicle 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, including at least Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) of liability insurance, and follow the applicable requirements of Section 63-15-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3. (1) Any person operating a side-by-side vehicle 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 side-by-side vehicle 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 side-by-side vehicle.

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

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