GOLF CARTS; LOCAL ROADS                                                                 H.B. 5045 (H-3):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5045 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Kevin Cotter

House Committee:  Local Government

Senate Committee:  Local Government

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow a village, city, or township with a population under 30,000 to permit the operation of golf carts on its streets. If a village, city, or township allowed the operation of golf carts on its streets, it could require those golf carts and golf cart operators to be recorded on a list maintained by the village, city, or township, but could not charge a fee for listing golf carts or golf cart operators.

A county board of commissioners could disapprove the operation of golf carts on the streets of a township located within that county if the board of commissioners conducted a hearing and determined that the operation of golf carts on the streets of that township would cause significant environmental harm or a significant concern of public safety. The board of commissioners would have to provide public notice of a hearing, and written notice of the hearing to the township, at least 45 days before the hearing was conducted.

The bill would require a person to be at least 16 years old and licensed to operate a motor vehicle before the person could operate a golf cart on any street. A golf cart operator would have to comply with the Code's signal requirements that apply to the operation of a vehicle.

A person could not operate a golf cart on a State trunk line highway, but would not be prohibited from crossing a State trunk line highway when operating a golf cart on a street. Where a designated path for golf carts was provided adjacent to a highway or street, a person could be required to use that path. A golf cart could not be operated on a sidewalk constructed for use by pedestrians, or on streets during the time period from a half hour before sunset to half hour after sunrise. A golf cart would have to be operated at a speed of 15 miles per hour or less, and could not be operated on a highway or street with a speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour, except to cross that highway or street. A golf cart operator or passenger would not be required to wear a crash helmet.

A golf cart operated on a village, city, or township street would not have to be registered under the Code for purposes of the Insurance Code's requirement that the owner or registrant of a motor vehicle maintain automobile insurance coverage.

Proposed MCL 257.657a                                                    Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  12-11-14                                                Fiscal Analyst:  Elizabeth Pratt

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.