BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1181
87R8418 JXC-D	By: Middleton et al. (Creighton)
	Transportation
	5/10/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Commissioners courts in certain counties may allow the operation of a golf cart or an unregistered off-highway vehicle on all or part of certain highways located in the unincorporated area of the county. However, a number of coastal communities in which transportation via these golf carts and vehicles is ingrained in residents' way of life are excluded from this authority. H.B. 1181 seeks to address this issue by extending this authority to coastal counties.

H.B. 1181 amends the Transportation Code to extend to a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of less than 500,000 the authority to allow the operation of a golf cart or an unregistered off-highway vehicle on all or part of a highway that is located in the unincorporated area of the county and has a maximum speed limit of 35 miles per hour.

H.B. 1181 amends current law relating to the authority of certain counties to authorize the operation of a golf cart or off-highway vehicle on certain roads.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 551.404(c), Transportation Code, as follows:

(c) Provides that Subsection (b) (relating to authorizing the commissioners court of a certain county to allow an operator to operate a golf cart on all or part of a certain highway) applies only to certain counties, including a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of less than 500,000. Deletes existing text relating to certain other conditions that make Subsection (b) applicable to a county. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 551A.053(c), Transportation Code, as follows:

(c) Provides that Subsection (b) (relating to authorizing the commissioners court of a certain county to allow an operator to operate an unregistered off-highway vehicle on all or part of a certain highway) applies only to certain counties, including a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of less than 500,000. Deletes existing text relating to certain other conditions that make Subsection (b) applicable to a county. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.