Senate Bill 2817

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 63-32-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EVERY GOLF CART OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLE OPERATED ON A PUBLIC ROAD OR STREET TO HAVE A VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN), EITHER PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; TO PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THE VIN APPLICATION; TO SET THE FEE FOR THE DEPARTMENT-ISSUED VIN; TO PROVIDE THAT THE VIN SHALL BE IN THE FORM OF A SEVEN-INCH BY FOUR-INCH METAL PLATE, WHICH MUST BE AFFIXED TO THE FRONT OF THE GOLF CART OR LOW-SPEED VEHICLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 63-32-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD DEFINITIONS TO THE CHAPTER ON OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND LOW-SPEED VEHICLES ON MUNICIPAL PUBLIC ROADS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 63-32-3 AND 63-32-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 63-32-7, Mississippi Code of 1972:

63-32-7. (1) If a golf cart or low-speed vehicle does not have a VIN from the manufacturer, it must be issued a VIN by the department before it may be operated on a public road or street under this chapter.

(2) Application to the department for a VIN may be made on a form prescribed by the department. As part of the application, the department shall require:

(a) Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale or a notarized affidavit of ownership, or the manufacturer's statement of origin;

(b) Proof that the golf cart or low-speed vehicle meets all elements of the applicable definition in Section 63-32-1; and

(3) Once the application is complete, the department shall issue a VIN in the form of a seven-inch by four-inch metal plate, which must be affixed to the front of the golf cart or low-speed vehicle before it may be operated on a public road or street under this chapter.

(4) The department may promulgate rules and regulations as needed to implement this section.

SECTION 2. Section 63-32-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-32-1. As used in this chapter:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

( * * *ab) "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.

( * * *bc) "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.

(d) "Vehicle identification number" or "VIN" means the numbers and letters on a golf cart or low-speed vehicle designated by the manufacturer or assigned by the department for the purpose of identifying the golf cart or low-speed vehicle.

SECTION 3. Section 63-32-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

63-32-3. (1) The governing authorities of a municipality may, in their discretion, authorize the operation of golf carts and low-speed vehicles only on public roads and streets as designated by ordinance, within the corporate limits of the municipality.

(2) Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may be operated on public roads and streets upon which bicycles are authorized by law to be operated. Golf carts and low-speed vehicles may not be operated on state highways or federal highways that are not interstate highways 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 multilane streets and roads, where applicable.

(3) Any person operating a golf cart or low-speed vehicle on the public roads and streets under this chapter 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.

SECTION 4. Section 63-32-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

63-32-5. (1) Every golf cart and low-speed vehicle to be operated, as authorized under this chapter, on a public road or street shall be required to be registered with the city. Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the city to cover the costs of administration, presentation of proof of financial responsibility and presentation of a valid driver's license or temporary driver's permit, the owner of the golf cart or low-speed vehicle shall be issued a registration decal by the county or 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 golf cart or low-speed vehicle. The city shall provide the registrant with a map of the areas where golf carts or low-speed vehicles 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 golf cart or low-speed vehicle on public roads and streets of the state.

(2) The registration fee imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the municipal clerk and deposited into the municipal general fund.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.