1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 535 FILED ON: 1/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3775
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Joanne M. Comerford
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the town of Hatfield to permit the use of golf carts on the public ways of the
town.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire1/9/2025Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester1/9/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 535 FILED ON: 1/9/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3775
By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton and Senator Comerford, a joint petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3775) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Joanne M. Comerford (by
vote of the town) that the town of Hatfield be authorized to permit the use of golf carts on the
public ways in said town. Transportation. [Local Approval Received.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act relative to the town of Hatfield to permit the use of golf carts on the public ways of the
town.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, golf carts
2may be driven on the public ways of the town of Hatfield, subject to the restrictions set forth
3herein and in any bylaw passed by the town. For the purposes of this act, the public way shall not
4include sidewalks.
5 SECTION 2. No person shall operate a golf cart on any public way without first
6registering the vehicle with the town clerk and affixing a registration decal provided by the town
7clerk to the rear right fender of the vehicle. The town clerk shall not register any golf cart
8without proof that the vehicle is insured and unless it has first passed a safety inspection
9administered by the chief of police or his designee. The town may charge a reasonable fee for
10such inspection and registration which shall be set in a bylaw. 2 of 3
11 SECTION 3. No person shall operate a golf cart on any public way without a valid
12driver’s license, except that a driver with a valid learner’s permit may operate a golf cart with a
13licensed driver sitting immediately adjacent to the permit holder.
14 SECTION 4. No person shall operate a golf cart on a public way if any component of the
15vehicle has been modified from the original manufacturer’s equipment in such a way as to
16enhance its speed. Without limitation, such modifications include the removal of the governor,
17and/or replacing the engine and power train with a larger one.
18 SECTION 5. No person shall operate a golf cart on a public way at a speed in excess of
1920 miles per hour. No person shall operate a golf cart on any way where the speed limit exceeds
2040 miles per hour, including any state highway.
21 SECTION 6. No person shall consume alcohol while operating a golf cart on any public
22way and no driver or passenger shall have an open container of alcohol within the golf cart while
23it is being operated.
24 SECTION 7. No person shall operate a golf cart on a public way between one-half hour
25after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise except where the select board has given permission
26to exceed this restriction for special events.
27 SECTION 8. Golf carts operating on public ways must stay to the right whenever
28possible and not impede the regular flow of traffic.
29 SECTION 9. All drivers and passengers must wear seat belts when a golf cart is operated
30on a public way. 3 of 3
31 SECTION 10. The town of Hatfield may adopt a bylaw setting fines for violations of this
32act, provided that nothing herein shall prohibit any law enforcement officer from acting within
33the scope of his duties by enforcing any traffic law or regulation using a uniform traffic citation
34and applying the penalties therein.
35 SECTION 11. This act shall take effect upon its passage.