Subcommittee gives favorable report to bill letting municipalities authorize golf carts at night

The House Public Safety Subcommittee voted 4–1, with one member not voting, to give a favorable report to H. 3262, a bill that would allow counties and municipalities to pass ordinances permitting golf carts to operate at night within locally designated areas.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Hixson, told the subcommittee the proposal would let local governments set hours and geographic limits for nighttime golf cart use and said the measure responds to requests from rapidly growing communities such as North Augusta. “This was one of the top priorities of our folks that live in my North Augusta or my House District 83,” Representative Hixson said.

The measure drew a mix of support and safety concerns. Jeff Bradley, House Representative for District 123, asked whether permitting nighttime golf-cart operation could raise liability and insurance costs and said he could not support the bill.…