TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMIT DECALS OR REGISTRATION CARDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO CERTAIN OWNERS OF UTILITY TASK VEHICLES, TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF PERMITTED UTILITY TASK VEHICLES ON CERTAIN PUBLIC STREETS AND ROADWAYS, AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "UTILITY TASK VEHICLE".

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 2, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

Section 56-2-5010.    (A)    A utility task vehicle equipped with working headlights and rear brake lights may be operated along the public streets and roadways of a barrier island that does not have highway access to the mainland or that may be accessed from the mainland solely by ferry or boat if its owner has obtained a utility task vehicle permit decal or registration card from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(B)    The department may issue a utility task vehicle permit decal or registration upon its owner presenting proof of ownership and liability insurance, and upon payment of a five-dollar fee.

(C)    As contained in this section, 'utility task vehicle' means a side-by-side four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 1,200 cubic centimeters or less, and has a total dry weight of 1,800 but less than 2,600 pounds and can be operated at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles an hour."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.