BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2790

By: Hunter

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are certain conditions attached to the operation of a golf cart on a public highway within a municipality, including the condition that a cart have certain equipment.  A golf cart operator has restricted access to a public highway outside a municipality.  Interested parties note that legislation is needed to allow the operation and use of golf carts and certain utility vehicles on a public highway located in the unincorporated areas of certain counties and to require the golf cart and utility vehicle to have the same equipment as that required for a golf cart operated on a public highway within a municipality.  C.S.H.B. 2790 seeks to address these matters relating to the operation of a golf cart or utility vehicle on a public highway in certain counties.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2790 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county that borders or contains a portion of the Guadalupe River and contains a part of a barrier island that borders the Gulf of Mexico to allow an operator to operate a golf cart or utility vehicle on all or part of a public highway that is located in the unincorporated area of the county and has a speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour. The bill requires the golf cart and utility vehicle to have the same equipment required of a golf cart authorized to operate on a public highway within the boundaries of a municipality. The bill defines "utility vehicle" and makes conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2790 differs from the original by authorizing the operation of a golf cart or utility vehicle on a public highway in certain counties if the public highway has a speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour, among other conditions, whereas the original authorizes the operation of a golf cart or utility vehicle in certain counties if the public highway has a posted speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour, among other conditions.  The substitute differs from the original in nonsubstantive ways.