HB686 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Page

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, mandatory liability insurance, registration reinstatement fees and proof of insurance, payment to circuit clerk or Administrative Office of Courts, distrib., Sec. 32-7A-9 am'd.

Summary

HB686 changes how Alabama handles suspension and reinstatement of vehicle registrations by requiring reinstatement fees and proof of insurance, and by detailing how those fees are collected and distributed.

What This Bill Does

Vehicle registrations remain suspended for certain violations and cross-state convictions until the owner pays a reinstatement fee and provides current insurance. For a first violation, the fee is $100 and insurance must be maintained for one year; for a second or subsequent violation, the fee is $200 and insurance must be maintained for three years, with a Class B misdemeanor if a second offense occurs. The bill also specifies how reinstatement fees are collected, forwarded to the proper agency, and distributed to the department, counties, and designated special funds. It takes effect January 1, 2011.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners whose registrations are suspended for violations or cross-state offenses, who must pay reinstatement fees and show current insurance to reactivate their registrations.
• County license plate issuing officials, circuit clerks, and the Administrative Office of Courts, who collect, forward, and distribute reinstatement fees and manage related funds and accounts.

Key Provisions

• Reinstatement fees: $100 for a first violation; $200 for a second or subsequent violation; and proof of current insurance must be provided to reinstate registration.
• Insurance and penalties: After a first violation, owners must purchase/maintain insurance for one year; after a second/subsequent violation, insurance must be maintained for three years and a second offense can be a Class B misdemeanor.
• Fee collection and distribution: Fees are used for administering the chapter; distribution rules vary by collecting entity (department, Administrative Office of Courts, or circuit clerk) and include allocations to a Special Licensing Officials' Fund and county funds.
• Special funds and allocations: A portion of fees supports the Alabama Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; a Special Licensing Officials' Fund funds registration/ titling technology improvements; funds are subject to audits and annual limits, with excesses to county general funds.
• Administrative procedures: Officials must promptly forward required documents, refunds are possible (with conditions), and appeals can go to an administrative law judge.

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