By: Watson S.B. No. 2018
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to golf carts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 547.001, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (2-a) to read as follows:
(2-a) "Golf cart" has the meaning assigned by Section
502.001.
SECTION 2. Section 547.002, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 547.002. APPLICABILITY. Unless a provision is
specifically made applicable, this chapter and the rules of the
department adopted under this chapter do not apply to:
(1) an implement of husbandry;
(2) road machinery;
(3) a road roller;
(4) a farm tractor;
(5) a bicycle, a bicyclist, or bicycle equipment;
(6) an electric bicycle, an electric bicyclist, or
electric bicycle equipment; or
(7) a golf cart that is operated only as authorized by
[not required to be registered under] Section 551.403 [502.284].
SECTION 3. Subsection (d), Section 547.703, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(d) A golf cart that is operated at a speed of not more than
25 miles per hour [as defined by Section 502.001] is required to
display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem [only] when it is operated on
a public highway, as defined by Section 502.001, under Section
551.403 or 551.404 [an arterial street].
SECTION 4. Chapter 551, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. GOLF CARTS
Sec. 551.401. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "golf cart"
and "public highway" have the meanings assigned by Section 502.001.
Sec. 551.402. REGISTRATION NOT AUTHORIZED. (a) The Texas
Department of Transportation may not register a golf cart for
operation on a public highway regardless of whether any alteration
has been made to the golf cart.
(b) The department may issue license plates for a golf cart
only as authorized by Section 504.510.
Sec. 551.403. LIMITED OPERATION. (a) An operator may
operate a golf cart:
(1) in a master planned community:
(A) that has in place a uniform set of
restrictive covenants; and
(B) for which a county or municipality has
approved a plat;
(2) on a public or private beach; or
(3) on a public highway for which the posted speed
limit is not more than 35 miles per hour, if the golf cart is
operated:
(A) during the daytime; and
(B) not more than two miles from the location
where the golf cart is usually parked and for transportation to or
from a golf course.
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation or a county or
municipality may prohibit the operation of a golf cart on a public
highway if the department or the governing body of the county or
municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the
interest of safety.
Sec. 551.404. OPERATION IN MUNICIPALITIES. (a) In
addition to the operation authorized by Section 551.403, the
governing body of a municipality may allow an operator to operate a
golf cart on all or part of a public highway that:
(1) is in the corporate boundaries of the
municipality; and
(2) has a posted speed limit of not more than 35 miles
per hour.
(b) A golf cart operated under Subsection (a) must have the
following equipment:
(1) headlamps;
(2) taillamps;
(3) reflectors;
(4) parking brake; and
(5) mirrors.
Sec. 551.405. CROSSING CERTAIN ROADWAYS. An operator of a
golf cart may cross a public highway if the posted speed limit of
the public highway is not more than 35 miles per hour.
SECTION 5. Subsection (a), Section 601.052, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Section 601.051 does not apply to:
(1) the operation of a motor vehicle that:
(A) is a former military vehicle or is at least 25
years old;
(B) is used only for exhibitions, club
activities, parades, and other functions of public interest and not
for regular transportation; and
(C) for which the owner files with the department
an affidavit, signed by the owner, stating that the vehicle is a
collector's item and used only as described by Paragraph (B);
(2) the operation of a golf cart that is operated only
as authorized by [not required to be registered under] Section
551.403 [502.284]; or
(3) a volunteer fire department for the operation of a
motor vehicle the title of which is held in the name of a volunteer
fire department.
SECTION 6. The following sections of the Transportation
Code are repealed:
(1) Section 502.0071; and
(2) Subsection (e), Section 547.703.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.