Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

March 26, 2024

H. 4609

Introduced by Reps. Hixon, B. L. Cox and O'Neal

S. Printed 03/26/24--H.

Read the first time January 09, 2024

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-2-105, RELATING TO GOLF CART PERMITs AND THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTs, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES MAY ENACT ORDINANCES TO ALLOW GOLF CARTS TO OPERATE IN DESIGNATED AREAS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTIONS AT NIGHT.

    Amend Title To Conform

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

SECTION 1.  Section 56-2-105(F) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (F)(1) A political subdivision may, on designated streets or roads within the political subdivision's jurisdiction, reduce the area in which a permitted golf cart may operate from four miles to no less than two miles.

       (2) A political subdivision may, on primary highways, secondary highways, streets, or roads within the political subdivision's jurisdiction, create separate golf cart paths on the shoulder of its primary highways, secondary highways, streets, and roads for the purpose of golf cart transportation, if:

           (a) the political subdivision obtains the necessary approvals, if any, to create the golf cart paths; and

           (b) the golf cart path is:

               (i) separated from the traffic lanes by a hard concrete curb;

               (ii) separated from the traffic lanes by parking spaces; or

               (iii) separated from the traffic lanes by a distance of four feet or more.

       (3) In a county with a population of no less than one hundred fifty thousand and no more than two hundred fifty thousand persons all counties:

           (a) if a municipality has jurisdiction over a barrier island, thea municipality may enact an ordinance allowing for the operation of a golf cart at night on in designated portions areas of the barrier island within the municipality, provided the golf cart is equipped with working headlights and rear lights; or

           (b) if a barrier island or county area is not within the jurisdiction of a municipality, the county in which the barrier island or county area is located may enact an ordinance allowing for the operation of a golf cart at night on in designated portions of the county, provided the golf cart is equipped with working headlights and rear lights.

    If a municipality or county enacts an ordinance allowing golf carts to operate at night, the ordinance shall contain a description of the boundary of the designated area on a barrier island, the requirements of subsection (C), other than operation in daylight hours only, shall still apply to all permitted golf carts.

       (4) A political subdivision may not reduce or otherwise amend the other restrictions placed on the operation of a permitted golf cart contained in this section.

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

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