HF 30 (LSB 1198YH (2) 89)

HOUSE FILE 30

BY  JONES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to golf cart operator exemptions from the state driver’s licensing requirements, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.176, Code 2021, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  03.  Any person with a physical or mental disability while operating a golf cart on a city street pursuant to section 321.247 if the governing body of the applicable incorporated area does not require the person to possess a valid driver’s license in order to operate the golf cart on city streets.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.247, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Incorporated areas may, upon approval of their governing body, allow the operation of golf carts on city streets by persons possessing a valid driver’s license or by persons with a physical or mental disability who do not possess a valid driver’s license so long as a person possessing a valid driver’s license is in the golf cart while it is being operated. However, a golf cart shall not be operated upon a city street which is a primary road extension through the city but shall be allowed to cross a city street which is a primary road extension through the city.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Current law permits the governing body of an incorporated area to allow the operation of golf carts on city streets within the incorporated area by persons possessing a valid driver’s license. This bill permits the governing body of an incorporated area to allow a person with a physical or mental disability who does not possess a valid driver’s license to operate a golf cart so long as a person possessing a valid driver’s license is in the golf cart while it is being operated. The bill exempts persons with a physical or mental disability from driver’s license requirements while operating golf carts if the governing body of the applicable incorporated area does not require the person to possess a valid driver’s license under Code section 321.247. 
   A person who violates Code section 321.247 commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $135.