HB436 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Butler Co., golf carts, operation on public streets, municipality may authorize, const. amend.

Summary

This bill would let a Butler County municipality allow limited golf cart use on designated streets, with safety, licensing, and insurance requirements and penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It would let a municipality designate certain streets for golf cart use after a safety check that considers traffic, speed, and volume. Golf carts would have to pass safety inspections, be insured with liability limits equal to motor vehicles, and the owner would receive a permit upon paying a fee. It also sets operating rules (max 25 mph, hours, equipment, driver license, lane use) and allows civil penalties for violations, with possible local restrictions or special-event allowances.

Who It Affects

• Golf cart owners in Butler County municipalities, who may operate on designated streets after meeting inspection, insurance, and permit requirements.
• Other road users (drivers, pedestrians) in those municipalities, who would encounter golf carts under defined rules such as lane use, speed limits, and penalties for violations.

Key Provisions

• Municipalities in Butler County may designate municipal streets or public roads for golf carts after a safety determination that considers speed, traffic, and road conditions; signs must be posted indicating authorization.
• Golf carts must have safety equipment (headlights, brake lights, turn signals, windshield) and be insured with liability limits equal to those for motor vehicles; the owner must obtain a permit after inspection and pay a permit fee.
• A driver must have a valid driver's license to operate a golf cart on designated streets; municipalities may enact stricter rules and must post notice of any such ordinances.
• Golf carts may not operate on streets with posted speed limits over 25 mph; operation may be limited to sunrise to sunset.
• All golf carts must be entitled to full use of a lane; specific no-overtaking and no-lane-changing restrictions apply within the same lane; two or more carts cannot ride abreast in a single lane.
• Unauthorized golf cart operation on municipal streets or roads is a civil violation with a penalty up to $50; municipalities may impose additional restrictions.
• The amendment allows municipalities to permit temporarily expanded golf cart use (not to exceed 80 hours) for civic events or fundraising, under their own ordinances.
• Municipalities may inspect golf carts and enforce these provisions, including implementing permit processes and related rules.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments