Bill
H 3775
Authorizes Hatfield to allow golf carts on public roads under rules: registration/insurance, officer inspection, 20 mph limit, no sidewalks, licensed driver, seat belts, night ban.
Overview
- Purpose: Authorize the town of Hatfield to permit the use of golf carts on the town’s public roads, with specific safety, registration, and operation rules. Sidewalks are explicitly excluded from “public ways.”
- Status: Accompanied by a study order (H 4727). Local approval received. Introduced Feb 27, 2025; referred to the Transportation Committee. Senate concurred. Hearing scheduled May 13, 2025. Accompanied by a study order as of Nov 17, 2025. Take-effect provision: upon passage.
Key Provisions and How They Work
- Authority and scope
- Golf carts may be driven on Hatfield’s public ways (not sidewalks), subject to the act’s requirements and any town bylaw.
- Registration, insurance, and inspection
- Must register the golf cart with the town clerk and display a decal on the rear right fender.
- Registration requires proof of insurance and a safety inspection conducted by the chief of police or designee.
- The town may charge a reasonable fee for inspection and registration, set by bylaw.
- Driver eligibility
- Operators must have a valid driver’s license.
- Learner’s permit holders may operate a golf cart only if a licensed driver sits immediately adjacent to the permit holder.
- Vehicle restrictions
- No modifications that enhance speed (e.g., removing governors, replacing powertrain) are allowed.
- Speed limits
- Maximum speed of 20 miles per hour on public ways.
- May not operate on any public way with a speed limit over 40 mph, including state highways.
- Impaired driving and alcohol
- No alcohol consumption while operating; no open containers in the golf cart during operation.
- Operating hours
- No operation from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, unless the select board grants permission for a special event.
- Traffic and safety rules
- Golf carts must stay to the right when possible and not impede normal traffic flow.
- All passengers and drivers must wear seat belts when the golf cart is in use on a public way.
- Enforcement and penalties
- The town may enact bylaw fines for violations; enforcement officers may issue penalties under the uniform traffic citation system.
- Effective date
- The act takes effect upon passage.
Who Is Affected
- Hatfield residents and visitors who would operate golf carts on town public roads.
- Hatfield town clerk (registration and decal program).
- Hatfield Police Department (inspection and enforcement responsibilities).
- Local lawmakers (select board) and municipal associated departments (to adopt related bylaws and set penalties, if applicable).
Procedural and Timeline Details
- Introduced: February 27, 2025.
- Referenced Committee: Transportation.
- Legislative actions show accompanying a study order (H 4727) and local approval status.
- Hearing: Scheduled May 13, 2025 (in B-2).
- Current context: Part of a package that includes a local approval mechanism and a study order, signaling potential evaluation of local impacts alongside approval to permit golf carts on Hatfield’s public ways.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
