Senate Bill 3027

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS ON PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS THAT ARE WITHIN DESIGNATED RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE CITY OF OXFORD; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF GOLF CARTS ON NONRESIDENTIAL AREAS OF THE CITY; TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF GOLF CARTS ON CERTAIN PUBLIC ROADS, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON OPERATING A GOLF CART ON THE PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS UNDER THIS ACT MUST HAVE IN HIS OR HER POSSESSION A VALID TEMPORARY DRIVER'S LICENSE OR A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. As used in this act:

(a) "City" means the City of Oxford, Mississippi.

(b) "Governing authorities" means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Oxford, 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 may, in their discretion, authorize the operation of golf carts only on certain public roads and streets that are within designated residential neighborhoods within the city limits of the city. The authorization shall be recorded on the minutes of the city and may include all or as many of the subdivided, residential neighborhoods in the city as the governing authorities determine to be appropriate. 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 of the city at any time.

(2) Golf carts may not be authorized in the nonresidential area of the city. Golf carts may not be authorized on urban interstate highways, urban freeways and expressways, urban principal arterial streets, urban minor arterial streets, Mississippi or U.S. Highways as defined by the comprehensive plan of the city.

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

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