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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of a utility vehicle on a public highway |
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in certain counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter 551, |
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Transportation Code, as effective September 1, 2017, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER F. GOLF CARTS AND UTILITY VEHICLES |
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SECTION 2. Sections 551.404(a-1) and (b), Transportation |
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Code, as effective September 1, 2017, are amended to read as |
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follows: |
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(a-1) In addition to the operation authorized by Section |
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551.403, the commissioners court of a county described by |
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Subsection (a-2) may allow an operator to operate a golf cart or |
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utility vehicle on all or part of a public highway that: |
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(1) is located in the unincorporated area of the |
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county; and |
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(2) has a speed limit of not more than 35 miles per |
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hour. |
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(b) A golf cart or utility vehicle operated under this |
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section must have the following equipment: |
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(1) headlamps; |
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(2) taillamps; |
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(3) reflectors; |
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(4) parking brake; and |
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(5) mirrors. |
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SECTION 3. Section 663.001(1-b), Transportation Code, as |
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effective September 1, 2017, is amended to read as follows: |
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(1-b) "Off-highway vehicle" means [:
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[(A)] an all-terrain vehicle or recreational |
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off-highway vehicle, as those terms are defined by Section 502.001 |
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[; or
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[(B) a utility vehicle]. |
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SECTION 4. Section 663.001(4), Transportation Code, as |
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effective September 1, 2017, is transferred to Section 551.401, |
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Transportation Code, redesignated as Section 551.401(3), |
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Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
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(3) [(4)] "Utility vehicle" means a motor vehicle that |
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is not a golf cart[, as defined by Section 502.001,] or lawn mower |
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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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utility work and not for recreational purposes. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017, if it |
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receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each |
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house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
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If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for effect on that |
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date, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
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legislative session. |