AB 402

Under current law, a "neighborhood electric vehicle" (NEV) is a motor vehicle

that is propelled by electric power and that meets certain standards for low-speed

vehicles under federal law, but does not include a golf cart. A municipality may, by

ordinance, allow the use of NEVs on roadways under its jurisdiction that have a

speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. However, a municipal ordinance may not

allow the use of NEVs on connecting highways within the municipality, or where the

municipality's roadways cross state trunk highways, unless all of the following

apply: 1) the municipality provides written notice to the Department of

Transportation (DOT) of the ordinance, including identification of any connecting

highway or state trunk highway intersection to which the ordinance will apply; and

2) within 21 days of receiving this notice, DOT consents or fails to object to the use

of NEVs on the connecting highway or through the intersection crossing the state

trunk highway.

This bill expands municipal authority to allow operation of NEVs on roadways

within the municipality. Under the bill, a municipal ordinance may allow the use of

NEVs on county trunk highways located within the municipality's territorial

boundaries if all of the following apply: 1) the municipality provides written notice

of the ordinance to the governing body of the county having jurisdiction over the

highway, including identification of any county trunk highway to which the

ordinance will apply; and 2) within 21 days of receiving this notice, the governing

body of the county, or the county highway commissioner or county highway

committee if designated by the governing body of the county to act on its behalf,

consents or fails to object to the use of NEVs on the county trunk highway.