HB550 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul DeMarco

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Barry MaskSpencer Collier

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive license tags, out-of-state colleges and universities authorized with minimum commitments prior to manufacture, Sec. 32-6-67 am'd.

Summary

HB550 creates a Legislative Oversight Committee to review distinctive license plates, requires a minimum 1,000 purchase commitments before manufacture, and outlines who may apply for new plate categories.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a committee to oversee the license plate program, including its composition and meeting rules; the committee can approve, disapprove, or postpone new plate categories by a two‑thirds vote, and its decisions represent the Legislature's intent. It sets eligibility rules listing groups that cannot apply (with an exception for certain out-of-state colleges under Sec. 32‑6‑64) and requires a minimum of 1,000 commitments before manufacturing a new plate. It also defines administrative details like staff support and compensation for members and requires periodic meetings.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who might want a distinctive license plate (plates will only be produced if there is at least 1,000 commitments to purchase).
• Out-of-state colleges and universities (generally not eligible to apply, though an exception is referenced for Class 2 applications under Section 32-6-64).
• Organizations seeking to sponsor a new or continued license plate category (must go through the Legislative Oversight Committee and meet eligibility guidelines).
• State agencies and non-legislative bodies (Dept. of Revenue and Dept. of Corrections provide nonvoting advisory representatives).
• Legislative and non-legislative committee members (they receive compensation and allowances; staff support is provided).

Key Provisions

• Creates a Legislative Oversight Committee to oversee the implementation and administration of license plate rules under Article 2.
• Defines committee composition: 3 House members, a county license plate official; 3 Senate members, a county license plate official; plus the Directors of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and Public Safety, and the President of the Probate Judges Association; voting/nonvoting advisory representatives from DOR and DOC.
• Requires the committee to meet at least every six months and have a simple majority present to act; to establish qualification guidelines for license plate sponsors; and to approve, disapprove, or postpone new plate categories by two-thirds vote.
• Decisions are treated as the Legislature's intent; separate legislative action on a specific plate proposal is not required.
• The committee may not consider applications from certain organizations (out-of-state colleges/universities, private businesses, K-12 and similar schools, boosters, unions, political or religious groups, groups promoting disharmony, public officials) with a possible exception for out-of-state colleges under Section 32-6-64.
• Provides clerical and compensation provisions for staff and members, and codifies an effective date (the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles