Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

May 1, 2025

 

H. 3292

 

Introduced by Reps. Hixon, Pedalino, W. Newton, Forrest, B. L. Cox, Erickson, Taylor, Hartz, Atkinson and Pace

 

S. Printed 5/1/25--S.

Read the first time February 18, 2025

 

________

 

The committee on Senate Transportation

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3292) 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, etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

 

    Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:

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

 

    Section 56-2-90. (A) To operate a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart on a public highway, the owner must obtain a permit decal and registration certificate from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Proof of ownership, proof of liability insurance, and payment of a five-dollar fee must be provided. The permit decal must be replaced every five years, or at the time the owner changes his address, whichever is sooner.

    (B) A person operating a golf cart on a public highway must be at least sixteen years of age, hold a valid driver's license, and have in his possession:

       (1) the registration certificate;

       (2) proof of liability insurance; and

       (3) his driver's license.

    (C) A municipality or a county within its unincorporated portions, may:

       (1) by ordinance stipulate the hours, methods, and locations of golf cart operations, provided that golf carts may be operated only on a highway where the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less;

       (2) by ordinance permit the operation of golf carts at night, provided that golf carts are equipped with working headlights and taillights, and provided that golf carts may be operated only on a highway where the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less; and

       (3) on the shoulder of primary highways, secondary highways, streets and roads, designate separate golf cart paths for the purpose of golf cart transportation, provided that:

           (a) the municipality or county obtains the necessary approvals, if any, to create 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.

    (D) In the absence of an ordinance enacted pursuant to subsection (C), a permitted golf cart may:

       (1) be operated only during daylight hours;

       (2) be operated only on a secondary highway where the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less;

       (3) be operated only within four miles of the address on the registration certificate, or only within four miles of a point of ingress and egress of a gated community if the address is within a gated community; and

       (4) cross a highway at an intersection where the speed limit is more than thirty-five miles an hour.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 56-2-105 of the S.C. Code is repealed.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

 

LAWRENCE GROOMS for Committee.

 

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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.

 

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 personsall 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 of the barrier island areas within the municipality, provided the golf cart is equipped with working headlights and rear lights; or

           (b) if a barrier island or county is not within the jurisdiction of a municipality, the county in which the barrier island or county 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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