THE BILL ITSELF
CS/CS/HB 519
Golf Cart Crossings
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to golf cart crossings; amending s.
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316.212, F.S.; authorizing operation of a golf cart
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for the purpose of crossing certain streets and
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highways under certain conditions; providing
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penalties; amending ss. 316.1995, 316.2125, 316.2126,
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and 316.2128, F.S.; conforming cross-references;
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providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Subsections (5) through (9) of section 316.212,
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Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (6) through
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(10), respectively, paragraph (b) of present subsection (8) and present subsection (9) are amended, and a new subsection (5) is
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added to that section, to read:
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316.212 Operation of golf carts on certain roadways.—The
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operation of a golf cart upon the public roads or streets of
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this state is prohibited except as provided herein:
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(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
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golf cart may be operated for the purpose of crossing a street
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or highway at a signalized intersection, provided that:
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1. The intersection is located wholly within the
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boundaries of a single local governmental entity;
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2. The local governmental entity has designated, for the
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operation of golf carts, the street or road located on both
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sides of the intersection with the street or highway; and
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3. The local governmental entity has approved the
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operation of golf carts for the purpose of crossing at the
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intersection and has posted appropriate signs at the
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intersection to indicate that such operation is authorized.
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(9)(8) A local governmental entity may enact an ordinance
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relating to:
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(b) Golf cart operation on sidewalks adjacent to specific
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segments of municipal streets, county roads, or state highways
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within the jurisdictional territory of the local governmental
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entity if:
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1. The local governmental entity determines, after
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considering the condition and current use of the sidewalks, the
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character of the surrounding community, and the locations of
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authorized golf cart crossings, that golf carts, bicycles, and
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pedestrians may safely share the sidewalk;
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2. The local governmental entity consults with the
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Department of Transportation before adopting the ordinance;
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3. The ordinance restricts golf carts to a maximum speed
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of 15 miles per hour and permits such use on sidewalks adjacent
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to state highways only if the sidewalks are at least 8 feet
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wide;
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4. The ordinance requires the golf carts to meet the
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equipment requirements in subsection (7) (6). However, the
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ordinance may require additional equipment, including horns or
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other warning devices required by s. 316.271; and
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5. The local governmental entity posts appropriate signs
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or otherwise informs residents that the ordinance exists and
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applies to such sidewalks.
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(10)(9) A violation of this section is a noncriminal
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traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as a
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moving violation for infractions of subsections (1)-(6) (1)-(5)
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or a local ordinance corresponding thereto and enacted pursuant
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to subsection (9) (8), or punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as
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a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsection (7) (6),
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subsection (8) (7), or a local ordinance corresponding thereto
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and enacted pursuant to subsection (9) (8).
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Section 2. Subsection (1) of section 316.1995, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
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316.1995 Driving upon sidewalk or bicycle path.—
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(1) Except as provided in s. 316.008, s. 316.20655, s.
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316.212(9) s. 316.212(8), or s. 316.2128, a person may not drive
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any vehicle other than by human power upon a bicycle path,
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sidewalk, or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or duly
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authorized temporary driveway.
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Section 3. Subsection (1) of section 316.2125, Florida
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Statutes, is amended to read:
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316.2125 Operation of golf carts within a retirement
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community.—
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(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 316.212, the
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reasonable operation of a golf cart, equipped and operated as
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provided in s. 316.212(6), (7), and (8) s. 316.212 (5), (6), and
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(7), within any self-contained retirement community is
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authorized permitted unless prohibited under subsection (2).
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Section 4. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) and
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paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 316.2126, Florida
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Statutes, are amended to read:
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316.2126 Authorized use of golf carts, low-speed vehicles,
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and utility vehicles.—
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(1) In addition to the powers granted by ss. 316.212 and
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316.2125, municipalities are authorized to use golf carts and
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utility vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01, upon any state,
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county, or municipal roads located within the corporate limits
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of such municipalities, subject to the following conditions:
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(a) Golf carts and utility vehicles must comply with the
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operational and safety requirements in ss. 316.212 and 316.2125,
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and with any more restrictive ordinances enacted by the local
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governmental entity pursuant to s. 316.212(9) s. 316.212(8), and
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shall be operated only by municipal employees for municipal
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purposes, including, but not limited to, police patrol, traffic
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enforcement, and inspection of public facilities.
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(b) In addition to the safety equipment required in s.
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316.212(7) s. 316.212(6) and any more restrictive safety
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equipment required by the local governmental entity pursuant to
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s. 316.212(9) s. 316.212(8), such golf carts and utility
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vehicles must be equipped with sufficient lighting and turn
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signal equipment.
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(3)
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(c) All vehicles specified in this subsection must be:
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1. Marked in a conspicuous manner with the name of the
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delivery service.
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2. Equipped with, at a minimum, the equipment required
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under s. 316.212(7) s. 316.212(6).
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3. Equipped with head lamps and tail lamps, in addition to
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the safety requirements in s. 316.212(7) s. 316.212(6), if
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operated after sunset.
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Section 5. Subsection (5) of section 316.2128, Florida
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Statutes, is amended to read:
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316.2128 Micromobility devices, motorized scooters, and
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miniature motorcycles; requirements.—
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(5) A person who engages in the business of, serves in the
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capacity of, or acts as a commercial seller of miniature
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motorcycles in this state must prominently display at his or her
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place of business a notice that such vehicles are not legal to
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operate on public roads, may not be registered as motor
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vehicles, and may not be operated on sidewalks unless authorized
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by an ordinance enacted pursuant to s. 316.008(7)(a) or s.
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316.212(9) s. 316.212(8). The required notice must also appear
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in all forms of advertising offering miniature motorcycles for
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sale. The notice and a copy of this section must also be
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provided to a consumer before prior to the consumer's purchasing
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or becoming obligated to purchase a miniature motorcycle.
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Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.