RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
HB 117 2019 Regular Session DeVillier
Proposed law authorizes golf carts to cross La. Hwy. 95, La. Hwy. 35, La. Hwy. 1104, and
La. Hwy. 178 on marked or designated paths or crossings within the town limits of Church
Point between sunrise and sunset.
Proposed law requires that a valid driver's license, proof of liability insurance, a signed
liability waiver, and a $75 permit fee, accompanied by a utility terrain vehicle permit
application, be submitted and approved annually prior to operating a golf cart while crossing
La. Hwy. 95, La. Hwy. 35, La. Hwy. 1104, or La. Hwy. 178 in the town of Church Point.
Proposed law requires that signs, markers, or traffic control devices designating paths or
crossings for golf carts be posted by the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD)
or by the town of Church Point with prior approval from the DOTD.
Proposed law requires the town of Church Point to provide the costs for materials,
fabrication, mounting posts, and installation of any marker or traffic control device.
Proposed law provides the DOTD with rule making authority and requires that the
department report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Transportation, Highways and
Public Works for review and approval of any prospective rules.
Proposed law excepts the provisions of proposed law from certain requirements contained
in present law pertaining to inspection stickers and provisions related to the motor vehicle
safety responsibility law.
(Proposed to add R.S. 32:127.4)
VETO MESSAGE: "I have vetoed this bill, which would have allowed for golf carts to cross
state highways in the town limits of Church Point, Louisiana, for several reasons. First, there
are significant problems for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
(DOTD), Louisiana State Police (LSP), and local law enforcement with legislation that
creates exceptions for traffic use on state highways that vary wildly in different cities and
towns across Louisiana. There has been no reason provided why the town of Church Point
should have different regulations for state highway use than other municipalities throughout
the state. Secondly, there are significant safety concerns with golf cart use on state highways
that are not addressed in this bill. Golf carts are not classified as motor vehicles under
federal law and are not regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA). Most do not have seatbelts or many other of the safety features that are expected
for vehicles that travel on state highways. Simply put, use of golf carts (or other off-road
vehicles) on state highways should be considered after a more thoughtful and careful analysis
of the best way to maintain safety on our highways.
I have instructed that the DOTD conduct a study, including best practices from other states,
to determine if there should be a statewide structure put in place to allow limited use of golf
carts and other vehicles on state highways. This analysis will allow for the DOTD and the
legislature to determine if any changes are appropriate for these vehicles to have access to
state highways."