Senate Bill 2949

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY OF BAY ST. LOUIS; 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) "City" means the City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and City Council of the City of Bay St. Louis, 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 may, in their discretion, by ordinance, authorize the operation of low-speed vehicles or golf carts only on public roads and streets that are within the city limits of the City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

(2) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle or golf cart 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 financial responsibility as required under Section 63-15-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

(3) Low-speed vehicles and golf carts may not be operated on Highway 90 or Highway 603. The low-speed vehicles or golf carts may cross Highway 90 and Highway 603 at any proper or regular crossing.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when operated by a person participating in a parade permitted by the city, low-speed vehicles and golf carts may be operated on the permitted route of the parade while participating in the parade.

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 city. Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the city to cover the costs of administration, a map, if any, and a sticker and 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 city that must be displayed as determined by the city. The registration shall remain valid for as long as the registering owner owns the low-speed vehicle or golf cart. 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 not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and shall be retained by the municipal clerk and deposited into the municipal general fund.

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