SRC-JRN H.B. 2733 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2733
By: Driver (Wentworth)
State Affairs
5-14-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the operation of a golf cart on a public roadway is not
specifically against state law and some individuals living within golfing
communities may drive a golf cart from their home to the golf course.
However, unlimited use of golf carts on public roadways may be unsafe.
This bill amends the Transportation Code to allow a golf cart to be
operated on a public roadway only if operated during the daytime and not
beyond two miles from the point of origin to the destination. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2733 amends the Transportation Code to allow a golf cart
to be operated on a public roadway only if operated during the daytime and
not beyond two miles from the point of origin to the destination. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.284, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 502.284. GOLF CARTS.  Provides that the owner of a golf cart driven
to and from a golf course is not required to register the golf cart, if
the operation of the golf cart occurs in the daytime, as defined by
Section 541.401, and the operation does not exceed two miles from the
point of origin to the destination, or occurs entirely within a master
planned community, having restrictive covenants on a plat approved by a
county or a municipality. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 547.002, Transportation Code, to provide that
this chapter and the rules of the Texas Department of Public Safety
adopted under this chapter do not apply to certain equipment, including a
golf cart not required to be registered under Section 502.284. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 601.052(a), Transportation Code, to provide that
Section 601.051 does not apply to certain vehicles, including a vehicle
that is a former military vehicle.  Provides that Section 601.051 does not
apply to the operation of a golf cart not required to be registered under
Section 502.284. 

SECTION 4. Provides that this Act conforms Section 601.052(a),
Transportation Code, to Section 4, Chapter 443, Acts of the 74th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1995.  Provides that this Act prevails over
another Act of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to the extent
of any conflict relating to nonsubstantive additions and amendments to
enacted codes. 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.