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Bill Converting 'Low Speed Vehicles' To Golf Carts Passes First Committee

A bill that aims to lower the cost of owning and operating what is called a “low speed vehicle” cleared its first Committee stop in the Senate Thursday. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Senator Alan Hays, says by changing that vehicle’s status to a golf cart, it will lower the cost of things, like insurance premiums.

Florida residents who drive low speed vehicles are paying higher insurance premiums than they would for a regular car, and Hays says they shouldn’t have to do that. He filed a bill to allow owners of those vehicles to pay less if they convert their maximum speed to that of a golf cart.

“This will then enable the owners to unregister those vehicles with DMV. The DMV will then furnish them with a decal," said Hays.

"This decal will then be visible to anyone concerned to see this is a converted vehicle that will only be used at golf cart speeds. And, they don’t have to pay their license fee or higher insurance premiums on it.”

Low speed vehicles, or LSVs, resemble golf carts, but they differ in that LSVs are designed for street use with some models carrying up to eight passengers. If the LSVs are converted, they would no longer be allowed on public roads.

As of December, there are about 5,800 LSVs registered in the state.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on twitter @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.