SRC-JBJ H.B. 1359 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1359 76R2326 WP-DBy: Krusee (Jackson) State Affairs 5/4/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, residents of a master planned community can drive their golf carts to and from a golf course without having to register and insure their carts as they would an automobile. Residents of these communities would like to use their carts to travel to and from fitness centers and other amenities within their communities, as well as neighbor's homes without having to register and insure their carts. H.B. 1359 would allow the use of a golf cart within these access-restricted communities without current registration and insurance requirements. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1359 would amend registration requirements for a golf cart. 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(a), Transportation Code, to provide that the owner of a golf cart is not required to register the golf cart if the operation of the golf cart does not exceed a distance of two miles from the point of origin to the destination, if driven to and from a golf course. Deletes language limiting a golf cart owner's exemption from certain registration requirements to a golf cart driven to and from a golf course. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3.Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.