HB107 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve ClouseRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Dale County, municipalities, golf carts, authorized to provide for use on municipal streets, constitutional amendment.

Summary

A constitutional amendment would let Dale County municipalities authorize limited golf cart use on municipal streets, with safety, licensing, insurance, and penalties requirements.

What This Bill Does

If ratified, the amendment would allow a municipality in Dale County to designate certain streets for golf carts after a safety check considering traffic speed and volume. It requires golf cart operators to have a driver’s license, and carts to have headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield, plus liability insurance with limits equal to motor vehicles; a permit and fee would be required after an inspection. Designated streets would be limited to 25 mph or less, daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) unless a more restrictive local rule is adopted, and specific lane-use rules would apply. Unauthorized operation could incur a civil penalty up to $50, and municipalities can post signage and enforce local restrictions, with the option to allow up to 80 hours for civic events under certain conditions.

Who It Affects

• Golf cart owners and operators in Dale County: must meet safety equipment, licensing, insurance, and permitting requirements to operate on designated municipal streets.
• Municipalities in Dale County: gain authority to designate streets, inspect and permit golf carts, enforce rules, and collect permit fees.

Key Provisions

• Municipality may designate municipal streets or public roads for golf cart use after determining safe operation based on speed, traffic, and road characteristics, and must post signs indicating authorization.
• Carts must have safety equipment (headlights, brake lights, turn signals, windshield) and operators must hold a driver’s license; the operator must be insured with liability coverage equal to motor vehicle limits; a permit is issued after inspection and payment of a permit fee.
• Qualified municipalities may adopt rules for permitting, including permit fees and inspections; can designate the responsible department to handle inspections and permits.
• Carts may not operate on streets with posted speed limits over 25 mph; operations may be limited to sunrise-sunset unless otherwise allowed.
• All golf carts have full use of a lane and certain lane-management rules apply (no overtaking in the same lane, no operation between lanes or two abreast); unauthorized operation is a civil penalty up to $50.
• Municipalities may enact more restrictive ordinances than the statewide restrictions and must post notice of these ordinances; there is also a provision allowing limited, less restrictive use for up to 80 hours for civic events or fundraising activities.

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

Subjects

Dale County