HIGHWAYS: Authorizes utility terrain vehicles to travel on the shoulder of certain roadways in Golden Meadow
Summary
HB 503 amends Louisiana law governing alternative pathways for golf carts, utility terrain vehicles, and low-speed vehicles in Golden Meadow. The bill adds a statutory definition of “utility terrain vehicle” and updates the existing section to allow the town’s governing authority, by ordinance, to authorize golf carts, UTVs, and low-speed vehicles to operate on the shoulders of certain public roads and streets in the municipality, subject to local conditions. The authorization does not apply to Louisiana Highway 3235, and it is limited to roadways with speed limits of 30 mph or less.
The bill also clarifies operational requirements for anyone using these vehicles under the local ordinance. Operators must be properly licensed and carry proof of insurance, and each vehicle must be registered with the governing authority and display a registration decal. The municipality may set a registration fee, and the fee revenue is deposited into the municipal general fund. In addition, the bill removes the word “electric” from the definition of golf cart, broadening that definition beyond electric-only vehicles.
Impact
HB 503 changes R.S. 32:297.1 by expanding the types of vehicles that Golden Meadow may authorize on roadway shoulders and by refining the definitions and local regulatory framework for golf carts, UTVs, and low-speed vehicles. It gives the town discretion to regulate these vehicles through ordinance, including registration, decals, and fees, while preserving state-level requirements for licensing and insurance. The bill primarily affects local traffic regulation in Golden Meadow and the owners and operators of these recreational or low-speed vehicles.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House unanimously, 94-0, and there is no recorded committee debate in the provided materials. The final action indicates it was signed by the Governor as Act 554, suggesting it moved through the process without significant opposition.
Contention
The main policy issue is local roadway safety versus expanded access for alternative vehicles. The bill limits the authorization to shoulder travel on low-speed roads and excludes Louisiana Highway 3235, which reflects a safety-based boundary. Another minor point is the broadened definition of golf cart, which removes the “electric” qualifier and could expand the category of vehicles eligible for local authorization. No specific opposing viewpoints are documented in the provided record, and the committee amendments were technical only.
Authorizes the town of Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish to designate certain alternative pathways along state highways for golf carts and low-speed vehicles
Authorizes the Port of New Orleans to utilize public private partnerships for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor roadway project (EN SEE FISC NOTE SD EX See Note)
Establishes a state and local sales and use tax exemption for certain antique motor vehicles and increases the fee for issuance of special license plates for those vehicles (EN DECREASE GF RV See Note)
Continues a portion of the excise tax levied on cigarettes in statute and authorizes a reduced excise tax rate on certain tobacco products (OR DECREASE GF RV See Note)