DeSoto County; authorize the use of golf carts and low-speed vehicles on certain public roads., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Local and Private

By: Senator(s) McLendon

Senate Bill 3386

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF DESOTO
COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS AND LOW-SPEED
VEHICLES ON PUBLIC ROADS AND STREETS IN THE BUENA VISTA LAKES SUBDIVISION
WITHIN THE COUNTY; TO REQUIRE INDIVIDUALS OPERATING A GOLF CART OR LOW-SPEED
VEHICLE TO HAVE A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY;
TO REQUIRE LOW-SPEED VEHICLES AND GOLF CARTS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE COUNTY;
TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY TO CHARGE A REGISTRATION FEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.  As used
in this act, unless a different meaning clearly appears in the context, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)  "Board"
means the Board of Supervisors of DeSoto County, Mississippi.

(b)  "County"
means DeSoto County, Mississippi.

(c)  "Golf cart"
means a motor vehicle that is designated and manufactured for operation on a
golf course for sporting or recreational purposes, is not capable of exceeding
speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour, and is equipped with safety equipment as
required under 49 CFR Section 571.500.

(d)  "Low-speed
vehicle" means any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicle that
has a top speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour but less than twenty-five
(25) miles per hour and is equipped with safety equipment as required under 49
CFR Section 571.500.

(e)
"Subdivision" means Buena Vista Lakes Subdivision in the county.

SECTION 2.  (1)  The
board may, in its discretion, authorize the operation of golf carts and low-speed
vehicles only on the public roads and streets of the subdivision.  The
authorization must be embodied in an ordinance or resolution and recorded on
the minutes of the board.  The authorization may be accompanied by conditions
not inconsistent with this act and may be revoked, in whole or in part, by the
board at any time.

(2)  Golf carts and low-speed
vehicles may be operated on public roads and streets in the subdivision upon
which bicycles are authorized by law to be operated.  Golf carts and low-speed
vehicles may not be operated on state highways or federal highways that are not
interstate highways except for the crossing of these streets, in which case the
shortest traveling distance to do so shall be required.  Drivers are required
to operate golf carts and low-speed vehicles only in the outside lane of
multilane streets and roads, where applicable.

(3)  Any person operating a
golf cart or low-speed vehicle on the public roads and streets in the
subdivision under this act must have in his or her possession a valid driver's
license or temporary driver's permit and proof of financial responsibility as
required under Section 63-15-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 3.  (1)
Every golf cart and low-speed vehicle to be operated, as authorized under this
act, on a public road or street shall be required to be registered with the
county.  Upon payment of a reasonable fee that may be charged by the county to
cover the costs of administration, presentation of proof of financial
responsibility and presentation of a valid driver's license or temporary
driver's permit, the owner of the golf cart or low-speed vehicle shall be
issued a registration decal by the county tax collector that must be displayed
on the left rear fender of the vehicle.  The registration shall remain valid
for as long as the registering owner owns the golf cart or low-speed vehicle.
The county shall provide the registrant with a map of the areas where golf
carts or low-speed vehicles may be operated at the time of registration.

(2)  The registration fee
imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the chancery
clerk and deposited into the county general fund.

SECTION 4.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.