STATEHOUSE - A bill allowing local governments to control the use of golf carts, off-road vehicles and farm wagons passed out of the Indiana Senate Wednesday by a vote of 49-1. House Bill 1483 would give local officials the power to enact an ordinance to allow residents to drive golf carts, off-road vehicles and farm wagonsin their communities. "The ordinance will allow residents to operate golf carts on the municipal streets or private roads, or both," said Rep. Bill Davis. "This has been a heavily debated issue in my district, and we have worked to give local governments the control to decide if they want to adopt the ordinance for their community." The ordinance will require the following for the use of golf carts: - Operators must display a slow-moving-vehicle sign or a red flashing lamp on their golf carts. - Operators must have a valid driver's licenses. - A person removing a wrecked or damaged golf cart from a highway also must remove any glass or other foreign material dropped on the highway from the golf cart. If a city or town chooses not to adopt the ordinance, House Bill 1483 would prohibit the use of golf carts, off-road vehicles and farm wagons on public or private roadways. Since House Bill 1483 was amended in the Senate, the House authors have to decide whether they will adopt the bill as amended or reject the changes. If they adopt the amended bill, it will go directly to the governor to be signed into law. If they choose not to adopt the amended bill, it will go to conference committee to be discussed during the last two weeks of session. The General Assembly has until April 29 to conduct all business. -30- Contact Rep. Davis by e-mail at h33@in.gov, by phone at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing him at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Those interested in receiving Rep. Davis' weekly e-newsletter may sign up at www.in.gov/h33. |
