House Bill 1697

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF FARMINGTON, 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 LICENSE PERMIT; 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 Farmington, Mississippi.

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

(d) "Low-speed vehicle" means any four wheeled electric, gasoline, diesel or other petroleum based propulsion powered vehicle that has a top speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour and is equipped with the safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 521.500.

(e) No vehicle shall qualify under this act that has less than a front seat that will accommodate two (2) adult passages seated side by side.

SECTION 2. (1) The governing authorities of the City of Farmington, Mississippi, may, in their discretion, authorize the operation of low-speed vehicles and golf carts only on public roads and streets that are within the City of Farmington.

(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 any city street having a posted maximum speed of forty-five (45) miles per hour or less, low-speed vehicles and golf carts may cross Kimberly Clark Road also known as Alcorn County Road#s 206, 106 and 106A but shall not travel upon such road unless participating in a parade officially approved by the governing authorities of the City of Farmington.

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

(5) Operating a low-speed vehicle or golf cart without a decal, an expired decal or a decal registered to another owner or vehicle shall constitute a violation of this act and subject the owner to a fine up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per occurrence.

(6) The city may refuse to register and issue a permit for the operation of a low-speed vehicle or golf cart, or may revoke a previously issued permit, if the registered low-speed vehicle or golf cart and/or owner of the low-speed vehicle or golf cart is involved in three (3) or more violations of this act within one (1) year.

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 Farmington. A reasonable fee may be charged by the city to cover the costs of administration. Upon presentation of proof of financial responsibility and presentation of a valid driver's license or temporary driving permit, the owner of the low-speed vehicle or golf cart shall be issued a registration decal by the city clerk 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 establish the amount of the registration fee at the first monthly meeting after passage of this act and may adjust the fee as needed. 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 city clerk and deposited into the municipal general fund.

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