HB 503 — HIGHWAYS: Authorizes utility terrain vehicles to travel on the shoulder of certain roadways in Golden Meadow

HLSENROLLED 26RS-478 ENGROSSED Regular Session HOUSE BILL NO.

503 BY REPRESENTATIVE ORGERON HIGHWAYS:AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S.

Authorizes32:297.1(A)(1), utility(B), terrainand vehicles(C) and to travelenact onR.S. the shoulder of certain roadways in Golden Meadow AN ACT ToamendandreenactR.S.32:297.1(Sectionheading),(A)(1),(B),and(C)andtoenactR.S.

R.S.32:297.1(Sectionheading),(A)(1),(B),and(C)areherebyamended and reenacted and R.S.

32:297.1(A)(5)32:297.1(A)(1),(B), isand herebyenacted(C) toareherebyamended readand asreenactedand follows:R.S.

32:297.1(A)(5) is hereby enacted to read as follows:

(1) "Golf cart" means an electricelectrica a four-wheeledvehicle originallyintended for use off-road on golf courses and other green spaces whose maximum speed is twenty-five miles per hour.

* * * (5)(a) "Utility terrain vehicle" means any recreational motor vehicle designed for and capable of travel over designated roads, with a minimum width of Page 1 of 3 CODING:

HLS 26RS-478 ENGROSSED HB NO.

503 (5)(a)ENROLLED "Utility terrain vehicle" means any recreational motor vehicle designed for and capable of travel over designated roads, with a minimum width of fiftyinchesbut not exceedingseventy-four inches and a minimum weight of at least seven hundred pounds but not exceeding three thousand five hundred pounds.

(2) Any person operating a golf cart, utility terrain vehicle, or low-speed vehicleonvehicle theshoulderofaon publictheshoulderofapublicroadorstreetin roadthetown orpursuant streetto in thetownpursuantto this Section shallbeproperlylicensedtooperateavehicleuponanyhighwaywithinthisstateand shall have in his possession proof of insurance as required by Part I-A of Chapter 5 of this Title.

C.(1) Everygolf cart,utilityterrainvehicle,cart, andutilityterrain low-speedvehicle, vehicleandlow-speedvehicleoperated operated pursuant to this Section shall be required to be registered with the governing authority.

The registration shall remain valid for as Pagelong 2as ofthe 3registering CODING:owner owns the golf cart, utilityterrain vehicle, or low-speed vehicle.

Page 2 of 3 CODING:

HLS 26RS-478 ENGROSSED HB NO.

503 longENROLLED as(2) theThe registeringownergoverning ownsauthority themay, by ordinance, establish a registration fee for golf cart,carts, utilityterrainutility vehicle,terrain orvehicles, and low-speed vehicle.vehicles.

(2) The governing authority may, by ordinance, establish a registration fee for golf carts, utility terrain vehicles, and low-speed vehicles.

DIGESTSPEAKER ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislativeOF Services.THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

It constitutes nopart of the legislative instrument.

The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 503 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Orgeron Abstract:

Adds utility terrain vehicles to the list of vehicles the governing authority may allow to travel on the shoulders of roads and streets in Golden Meadow.

Present law defines "golf cart" as an electric four-wheeled vehicle originally intended for golf courses and other green spaces with a maximum speed of 25 mph.

Proposed law removes the term "electric" from the definition of "golf carts".

Proposed law adds "utility terrain vehicle" to the definitions in present law.

Present law authorizes the governing authority to allow golf carts and low-speed vehicles to operate on the shoulder on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

Proposed law specifies that governing authority of Golden Meadow can authorize the use of utility terrain vehicles, in addition to golf carts and low-speed vehicles, on its roads and streets.

(Amends R.S.

32:297.1(Section heading),(A)(1), (B), and (C);

Adds R.S.

32:297.1(A)(5)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works to the original bill:

1.

Make technical changes.