House Bill 1662

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS WITHIN THE CITY; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A LOW-SPEED VEHICLE OR GOLF CART TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE OR TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REGISTRATION OF SUCH LOW-SPEED VEHICLES OR GOLF CARTS; 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 Long Beach, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Long Beach, 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 City of Long Beach, Mississippi, may, by ordinance, in their discretion, authorize the operation of low-speed vehicles and golf carts only on municipal streets in Long Beach that are south of the railroad, but excluding Railroad Street, and North of Highway 90, but excluding Highway 90 and between South Lang Avenue on the west and Beach Park Avenue on the east.

(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 or temporary driver's permit 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 public streets if the operator is traveling the shortest possible travel distance between his or her residence and the nearest other public road or street authorized for use by low-speed vehicles and/or golf carts, cart path or golf course cart path and during daylight hours only.

(4) Low-speed vehicles and golf carts may not be operated in the other areas of the City of Long Beach, and they may not cross or travel on Highway 90.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, when operated by a person participating in a parade permitted by the City of Long Beach, 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 of Long Beach. Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the city to cover the costs of administration, a map and a sticker and presentation of proof of financial responsibility and presentation of a valid driver's license or temporary driver's permit, the owner of the low-speed vehicle or golf cart shall be issued a registration decal by the 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 low-speed vehicle or golf cart. The city shall provide the registrant with a map of the contiguous Long Beach area where low-speed vehicles and golf carts 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 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 tax collector and deposited into the municipal general fund.

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