House Bill 1585

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE TOWN OF TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE TOWN OF TUNICA; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A LOW-SPEED VEHICLE OR GOLF CART TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REGISTRATION OF SUCH LOW-SPEED VEHICLE OR GOLF CART; 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) "Town" means the Town of Tunica, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Tunica, 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 the safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500.

(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 safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500.

SECTION 2. (1) The governing authorities of the Town of Tunica, Mississippi, may, in their discretion, authorize the operation of low-speed vehicles and golf carts only on public roads and streets that are within the corporate limits of the Town of Tunica, excluding U.S. Highway 61.

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

(3) Low-speed vehicles and golf carts may only be operated on town streets with speed limits of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less.

(4) Low-speed vehicles and golf carts may not be operated on U.S. Highway 61, and they may not cross U.S. Highway 61.

SECTION 3. (1) Every low-speed vehicle and golf cart to be operated, as authorized under this act, on a public road or street shall be required to register the vehicle with the Town of Tunica. Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the town to cover the costs of administration, presentation of proof of financial responsibility and presentation of a valid driver's license, the owner of the low-speed vehicle or golf cart shall be issued a registration decal by the chief of police or his designated agent 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 low-speed vehicle or golf cart. At the time of registration, the town shall provide the registrant with a map of the area where low-speed vehicles and golf carts may be operated. 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 low-speed vehicle or golf cart on public roads and streets of the state.

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

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