House Bill 1769

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A GOLF CART TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE OR TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT; 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 Pascagoula, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and City Council of the City of Pascagoula, 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.

SECTION 2. (1) The governing authorities of the City of Pascagoula, Mississippi, may, in their discretion, authorize the operation of golf carts only on public roads and streets that are within subdivided residential neighborhoods within the city limits of the City of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Such authorization must be recorded on the minutes of the city and may include all or as many of such subdivided residential neighborhoods as the governing authorities determine to be appropriate. Such 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 golf cart 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.

(3) Golf carts may not be operated in the nonresidential area of the City of Pascagoula. Golf carts may not be operated on urban interstate highways, urban freeways and expressways, urban principal arterial streets or urban minor arterial streets as defined by the comprehensive plan of the city. Approval of operation of golf carts within a subdivided residential neighborhood is deemed to include permission to operate on all collector streets and urban local streets, as defined under the city's comprehensive plan.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.