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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of golf carts and side-by-side utility |
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vehicles on municipal streets or county roads. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 504.510(d), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(d) This section applies only to: |
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(1) an owner of a golf cart who resides: |
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(A) [(1)] on real property that is owned or under |
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the control of the United States Corps of Engineers and is required |
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by that agency to register the owner's golf cart under this chapter; |
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and |
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(B) [(2)] in a county that borders another state |
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and has a population of more than 110,000 but less than 111,000; and |
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(2) a golf cart to be operated on municipal streets or |
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county roads under Section 551.981. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 504.511 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 504.511. SIDE-BY-SIDE UTILITY VEHICLES. (a) The |
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department shall issue specialty license plates for an eligible |
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side-by-side utility vehicle. |
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(b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $10. |
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(c) This section does not authorize the operation of a |
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side-by-side utility vehicle on a public road where it is otherwise |
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prohibited by law. |
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(d) This section applies only to a side-by-side utility |
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vehicle to be operated on municipal streets or county roads under |
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Section 551.981. |
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SECTION 3. Section 551.001, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 551.001. PERSONS AFFECTED. Except as provided by |
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Subchapters [Subchapter] C and Z, this chapter applies only to a |
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person operating a bicycle on: |
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(1) a highway; or |
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(2) a path set aside for the exclusive operation of |
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bicycles. |
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SECTION 4. Chapter 551, Transportation Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter Z to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 551.981. OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND SIDE-BY-SIDE |
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UTILITY VEHICLES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Golf cart" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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502.001. |
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(2) "Side-by-side utility vehicle" means a motor |
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vehicle that is not a golf cart and is: |
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(A) equipped with side-by-side seating for the |
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use of the operator and a passenger; |
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(B) designed to propel itself with at least four |
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tires in contact with the ground; |
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(C) designed by the manufacturer for off-highway |
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use only; and |
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(D) designed by the manufacturer primarily for |
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farming, ranching, or utility work. |
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(b) The governing body of a municipality or the |
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commissioners court of a county, as applicable, may allow the |
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operation of a golf cart or a side-by-side utility vehicle on |
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streets in the municipality or on roads in the unincorporated area |
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of the county. |
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(c) The operator of a golf cart or a side-by-side utility |
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vehicle may operate the vehicle as provided by Subsection (b) if: |
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(1) a slow-moving vehicle emblem, as defined by |
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Section 547.001, is attached to the vehicle; |
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(2) the vehicle is equipped with headlights and |
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taillights which are illuminated; |
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(3) the operator holds a Class A, B, C, or M driver's |
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license, as defined by Sections 521.081-521.084 or a commercial |
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driver's license under Chapter 522; |
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(4) the vehicle is registered under Section 504.510 or |
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504.511; |
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(5) the operator establishes financial responsibility |
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for the vehicle under Section 601.051; and |
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(6) the vehicle is equipped with a horn that complies |
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with Section 547.501. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |