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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of certain low-powered vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 551.304(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) An operator may operate a neighborhood electric |
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vehicle: |
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(1) in a master planned community: |
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(A) that is a residential subdivision as defined |
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by Section 209.002(9), Property Code, or has in place a uniform set |
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of restrictive covenants; and |
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(B) for which a county or municipality has |
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approved one or more plats [a plat]; |
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(2) on a public or private beach; or |
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(3) on a public highway for which the posted speed |
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limit is not more than 35 miles per hour, if the neighborhood |
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electric vehicle is operated: |
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(A) during the daytime; and |
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(B) not more than two miles from the location |
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where the neighborhood electric vehicle is usually parked and for |
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transportation to or from a golf course. |
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SECTION 2. Section 551.403, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 551.403. OPERATION AUTHORIZED IN CERTAIN AREAS. (a) An |
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operator may operate a golf cart: |
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(1) in a master planned community: |
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(A) that is a residential subdivision as defined |
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by Section 209.002(9), Property Code, or has in place a uniform set |
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of restrictive covenants; and |
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(B) for which a county or municipality has |
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approved one or more plats [a plat]; |
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(2) on a public or private beach that is open to |
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vehicular traffic; or |
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(3) on a highway for which the posted speed limit is |
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not more than 35 miles per hour, if the golf cart is operated: |
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(A) during the daytime; and |
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(B) not more than two miles from the location |
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where the golf cart is usually parked and for transportation to or |
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from a golf course. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 551.402(b), a person may |
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operate a golf cart in a master planned community described by |
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Subsection (a) without a golf cart license plate. |
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SECTION 3. Section 551.4031, Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 551.4031. PROHIBITION OF OPERATION ON HIGHWAY BY |
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MUNICIPALITY, COUNTY, OR DEPARTMENT. (a) A county or municipality |
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may prohibit the operation of a golf cart on a highway under Section |
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551.403 [551.404] if the governing body of the county or |
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municipality determines that the prohibition is necessary in the |
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interest of safety. |
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(b) The Texas Department of Transportation may prohibit the |
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operation of a golf cart on a highway under Section 551.403 |
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[551.404] if the department determines that the prohibition is |
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necessary in the interest of safety. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |