Committee backs bill letting local governments allow golf carts to operate at night

House Bill 3,292, which would allow municipalities or counties to adopt ordinances permitting the operation of golf carts at night, was reported favorably by the House Education and Public Works full committee on a 15-2 vote.

The measure, presented to the committee by Representative Hartnett, chairman of the public safety subcommittee, would reinstate language that previously permitted some local governments to authorize nighttime golf cart traffic. "This bill aims to revive a statute for the same purpose allowed to sun allowed to sunset in 2021," Representative Hartnett said, referring to the provision that expired in 2021.

The bill is permissive: it would allow—but not require—local governments to adopt ordinances. "This is the local governments coming up with these ordinances themselves," committee staff member Mr. Ebel said, noting the measure provides parameters rather than a statewide mandate. Committee member Representative Tipple asked whether the ordinance would require safety features. "With this are we gonna have any stipulations in there that they have lights or low speed vehicle license plates or anything of the sort? Any other safety features?" he asked. Hartnett replied that the bill differentiates golf carts from low-speed vehicles and, from committee discussion, would require golf carts to be equipped with headlights, blinkers and horns for nighttime visibility, while seatbelt requirements would remain specific to low-speed vehicles rather than golf carts.

The committee took an initial motion to report the bill favorably and then held a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded the following votes: Mister Alexander — aye; Mister Bowers — aye; Mister Bradley — no; Mister Duncan — not voting (absent); Mister Frank — aye; Mister Garvin — aye; Mister Gillum — aye; Mister Gilreath — aye; Mister Grant — aye; Mister Hartnett — aye; Mister Hoff — aye; Mister Kilmartin — aye; Mister McGinnis — no; Mister Rivers — aye; Mister Tipple — aye; Miss Terabiel — aye; Mister Vaughn — aye; Miss Erickson — aye. The clerk announced a tally of 15 ayes, 2 noes, and 1 not voting and reported the bill favorably.

The bill cites language in what presenters described during committee as "section 56 to 1 0 5 F," a previously enacted provision that had sunset in 2021 and that committee members said allowed limited local nighttime operation where it had been authorized. The committee did not adopt any further statewide safety mandates in the text; presenters repeatedly described the measure as restoring permissive local authority.

With the committee vote complete, the bill will be reported to the full House for further consideration.