House Bill 1775

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF GAUTIER, 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 GOLF CART OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLE TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND PROOF OF INSURANCE; TO REQUIRE LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE CITY; TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO CHARGE A REGISTRATION FEE; 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 Gautier, Mississippi.

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

(c) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designated and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes, is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour, and is equipped with safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500.

(d) "Low-speed vehicle" means a 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 golf carts and low-speed vehicles only on public roads and streets with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less in the city. The authorization must be embodied in an ordinance and recorded on the minutes of the City council. 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 at any time.

(2) Any person operating a golf cart or low-speed vehicle 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 insurance, and follow the applicable requirements of Section 63-15-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

(3) Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may not be operated on interstate highways or highways as designated by the comprehensive plan of the city except for the crossing of these streets, in which case the shortest traveling distance to do so shall be required. Drivers are required to operate golf carts and low-speed vehicles only in the outside lane of multi-lane streets and roads, when applicable.

SECTION 3. (1) Any person operating a golf cart or low-speed vehicle as authorized under this act on a public road or street shall be required to register the vehicle with the city. The owner of the golf cart or low-speed vehicle 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 golf cart or low-speed vehicle. The operator shall be required to have proof of insurance and a valid driver's license in his or her possession at all times while operating the golf cart or low-speed vehicle on public roads and streets of the city.

(2) The city may, by ordinance, establish a registration fee for golf carts and low-speed vehicles. The registration fee 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.