Bill Text: MI HB5045 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Vehicles; other; use of golf carts on local streets; allow under certain circumstances. Amends 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.1 - 257.923) by adding sec. 657a.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-12-31 - Assigned Pa 491'14 With Immediate Effect 2014 Addenda [HB5045 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2013-HB5045-Enrolled.html
STATE OF MICHIGAN
97TH LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2014
Introduced by Reps. Cotter, Glardon and Kowall
ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 5045
AN ACT to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “An act to provide for the registration, titling, sale, transfer, and regulation of certain vehicles operated upon the public highways of this state or any other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles and distressed vehicles; to provide for the licensing of dealers; to provide for the examination, licensing, and control of operators and chauffeurs; to provide for the giving of proof of financial responsibility and security by owners and operators of vehicles; to provide for the imposition, levy, and collection of specific taxes on vehicles, and the levy and collection of sales and use taxes, license fees, and permit fees; to provide for the regulation and use of streets and highways; to create certain funds; to provide penalties and sanctions for a violation of this act; to provide for civil liability of manufacturers, the manufacturers of automated technology, upfitters, owners, and operators of vehicles and service of process on residents and nonresidents; to regulate the introduction and use of certain evidence; to provide for the levy of certain assessments; to provide for the enforcement of this act; to provide for the creation of and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to impose liability upon the state or local agencies; to provide appropriations for certain purposes; to repeal all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act or contrary to this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 657a.
The People of the State of Michigan enact:
Sec. 657a. (1) A village or city having a population of fewer than 30,000 individuals based upon the 2010 decennial census may by resolution allow the operation of golf carts on the streets of that village or city, subject to the requirements of this section. A township having a population of fewer than 30,000 individuals based upon the 2010 decennial census may by resolution, unless disapproved by the county board of commissioners under subsection (3), allow the operation of golf carts on the streets of that township, subject to the requirements of this section.
(2) If a village, city, or township allows the operation of golf carts on the streets of that village, city, or township, that village, city, or township may require those golf carts and the operators of those golf carts to be recorded on a list maintained by that village, city, or township. A village, city, or township shall not charge a fee for listing golf carts or the operators of those golf carts.
(3) A county board of commissioners may, by resolution, disapprove the operation of golf carts on the streets of a township located within that county if the county board of commissioners conducts a hearing and determines that 1 or more of the following apply:
(a) The operation of golf carts on the streets of that township would cause significant environmental damage.
(b) The operation of golf carts on the streets of that township would cause a significant concern of public safety.
(4) The county board of commissioners shall provide public notice of a hearing under subsection (3) at least 45 days before the hearing is conducted. The county board of commissioners shall also provide written notice of a hearing under subsection (3) to the township at least 45 days before the hearing is conducted.
(5) A person shall not operate a golf cart on any street unless he or she is at least 16 years old and is licensed to operate a motor vehicle.
(6) The operator of a golf cart shall comply with the signal requirements of section 648 that apply to the operation of a vehicle.
(7) A person operating a golf cart upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(8) A person shall not operate a golf cart on a state trunk line highway. This subsection does not prohibit a person from crossing a state trunk line highway when operating a golf cart on a street of a village, city, or township, using the most direct line of crossing.
(9) Where a usable and designated path for golf carts is provided adjacent to a highway or street, a person operating a golf cart may, by local ordinance, be required to use that path.
(10) A person operating a golf cart shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane.
(11) A golf cart shall not be operated on a sidewalk constructed for the use of pedestrians.
(12) A golf cart shall be operated at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour and shall 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 village, city, or township may, by resolution, designate roads or classifications of roads for use by golf carts under this subsection.
(13) A golf cart shall not be operated on the streets of a city, village, or township during the time period from 1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise.
(14) A person operating a golf cart or who is a passenger in a golf cart is not required to wear a crash helmet.
(15) This section does not apply to a police officer in the performance of his or her official duties.
(16) A golf cart operated on a street of a village, city, or township under this section is not required to be registered under this act for purposes of section 3101 of the insurance code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, MCL 500.3101.
(17) As used in this section, “golf cart” means a vehicle designed for transportation while playing the game of golf. A golf cart is not required to meet the vehicle safety requirements of a low-speed vehicle for approval under this section.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless House Bill No. 5636 of the 97th Legislature is enacted into law.
This act is ordered to take immediate effect.
Clerk of the House of Representatives
Secretary of the Senate
Approved
Governor
