The bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow villages, cities, and townships with populations of fewer than 65,000 individuals, based on the most recent federal decennial census, to permit the operation of golf carts on their streets. It replaces the previous population threshold of 30,000. The bill stipulates that local governments may require golf carts and their operators to be recorded on a maintained list without charging a fee. Additionally, it outlines the conditions under which a county board of commissioners can disapprove the operation of golf carts, including concerns about environmental damage or public safety.

The bill also introduces several requirements for golf cart operation, such as the operator needing to be at least 16 years old and licensed to drive a motor vehicle. It specifies that golf carts must not exceed a speed of 15 miles per hour and cannot be operated on state trunk line highways or streets with speed limits over 30 miles per hour, except for crossing. Furthermore, it clarifies that golf carts are not required to be registered under the insurance code and outlines safety requirements that local jurisdictions may impose on golf carts, including headlamps, tail lamps, and safety belts. The language throughout the bill has been updated to replace "a person" with "an individual" in various sections for clarity.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 257.657