Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Report

March 25, 2026

 

H. 4688

 

Introduced by Rep. Wooten

 

S. Printed 3/25/26--H.

Read the first time January 13, 2026

 

________

 

The committee on House Education and Public Works

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4688) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 56-2-90, relating to the operation of golf carts, so as to provide that golf cart passengers under twelve, etc., respectfully

Report:

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

 

SHANNON ERICKSON for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill makes changes to §56-2-90(E) by specifying that golf cart passengers under the age of twelve are not required to wear a fastened safety belt as long as the passenger is on a golf cart that is owned by a golf course and is being operated in conjunction with playing on the same course. 

Since the bill does not operationally or fiscally impact DMV, there is no fiscal impact to DMV.

Violations of the statute are misdemeanors that are heard in local courts.  Judicial offers administrative support for local courts and does not anticipate that the exclusion of passengers on golf courses will have a substantial impact on the workload of the court system. 

 

State Revenue

This bill may result in a minimal change in the fines and fees collected in court. Court fines and fees are distributed to the General Fund, Other Funds, and local funds. Therefore, RFA anticipates this bill may result in a change to the General Fund and Other Funds revenue due to the change in fines and fees collections in court.

 

Local Expenditure

Violations of the statute are misdemeanors that are heard in local courts.  Judicial anticipates that the exclusion of passengers on golf courses will not substantially impact the workload of the court system.  Further, RFA contacted all forty-six counties and MASC regarding the potential fiscal impact of the bill.  Beaufort, Charleston, Dorchester, Florence, and Lancaster Counties anticipate that the bill will have no fiscal impact on the counties since the bill does not impose additional duties or affect their ability to enforce the law.  Similarly, MASC indicates that while the change for golf courses will need to be communicated to patrol officers, the bill will have no fiscal impact on municipalities.

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-2-90, RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT GOLF CART PASSENGERS UNDER TWELVE YEARS OLD ARE EXEMPT FROM WEARING SAFETY BELTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Section 56-2-90(E) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (E) Each golf cart passenger that is under the age of twelve years old, when it is being operated on the public streets and highways of this State, must wear a fastened safety belt. This subsection does not apply to a passenger of a golf cart owned by a golf course and being operated in conjunction with playing golf on the same course.

 

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

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