Lambert HB No. 248
(KEYWORD, SUMMARY, AND DIGEST as amended by Senate committee
amendments)
MOTOR VEHICLES. Authorizes the use of "golf carts" on certain roads
DIGEST
Proposed law defines a "golf cart" as an electric four-wheeled vehicle originally intended for
use off-road on golf courses and other green spaces whose maximum speed is 25 mph.
Proposed law prohibits the operation of golf carts on public roads, except as follows: (1) the
operation of golf carts on parish and municipal roads if designated by a parish or municipal
government and (2) golf carts used to cross a state highway where there is a golf course
constructed on both sides of the highway if Dept. of Transportation and Development
(DOTD) issues a permit for the crossing.
Proposed law requires safety equipment on golf carts operating on parish or municipal roads
such as efficient brakes, a reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, red
reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear of the vehicle, headlamps, front and
rear turn signal lamps, tail lamps, and brake lamps.
Proposed law further requires registration of a golf cart with the office of motor vehicles
(OMV) as an off-road vehicle and requires display of a decal issued by the OMV.
Proposed law restricts operation to a person with a valid driver's license. Also, requires
appropriate liability insurance.
Proposed law authorizes a parish or municipal government to enact an ordinance that may
be more restrictive relative to the operation of golf carts on parish or municipal roads and
requires notification of the residents of an ordinance permitting the operation of golf carts
on a parish or municipal road.
Proposed law creates an exemption, from the requirements of the bill, for municipal
ordinances enacted prior to January 1, 2015.
Proposed law specifies that proposed law shall not restrict parish or municipal governments
from prohibiting the operation of golf carts on parish roads or municipal streets for safety
purposes.
Proposed law requires the promulgation of necessary rules by public safety services. Also,
requires the rules and regulations be effective no later than January 15, 2016.
(Adds R.S. 32:299.3)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Change the application of proposed law from neighborhood vehicles to golf carts.
3. Delete a provision that specified that neighborhood vehicles may not operate at
a speed exceeding 25 miles per hour on a roadway or street where the posted
speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Riley Boudreaux. 4. Add provisions that proscribe the operation of golf carts on state roads except
under the following circumstances: (1) the operation of golf carts on parish and
municipal roads if designated by a parish or municipal government and (2) golf
carts used to cross public roads where there is a golf course constructed on both
sides of the public road if DOTD approved the location and installed any traffic
control devices needed for public safety.
5. Add a provision that requires golf carts be safely equipped before operating on
a parish or municipal road.
6. Modify a provision that required neighborhood vehicles operating on a public
road be registered with the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, OMV by
changing the application to golf carts.
7. Add a provision that restricts the application of proposed law to parish and
municipal roads.
8. Delete a provision that granted DOTD the authority to prohibit the operation of
neighborhood vehicles on public roads if necessary for public safety.
9. Add a provision that authorizes a parish or municipal government to enact an
ordinance that is more restrictive and to notify residents of the ordinance
allowing the operation of golf carts on a parish or municipal road.
10.Delete a provision that allowed the OMV to promulgate rules for operation of
neighborhood vehicles on public roads and instead provides such authority to the
DOTD, public safety services.
11.Add a provision that requires the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, public
safety services to promulgate rules for the operation of golf carts on parish and
municipal roads by Jan. 1, 2016.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Clarify a provision that requires a golf cart to be operated on a parish road or
municipal street with a valid driver's license.
3. Add an exemption, from the requirements of the bill, for municipal ordinances
enacted prior to January 1, 2015.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways,
and Public Works to the reengrossed bill
1. Requires the golf carts to also be equipped with headlamps, front and rear turn
signal lamps, tail lamps, and brake lamps.
2. Authorizes gold carts to cross a state highway (rather than a "public road") where
there is a golf course constructed on both sides of the highway if Dept. of
Transportation and Development (DOTD) issues a permit for the crossing.
removes the responsibility of the department to install any traffic control devices
needed.
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Prepared by Riley Boudreaux.