SB205 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ben H. Brooks

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Trip PittmanRusty GloverGeorge M. “Marc” KeaheyPhil PooleScott Beason

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive license tags, veterans, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients and former prisoners of war, and surviving spouses, additional tags without payment of license tax or registration fee, including ad valorem tax, authorized, Sec. 32-6-250 am'd.

Summary

The bill would expand free and low-cost distinctive license plates for Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and former prisoner of war recipients and their surviving spouses, and allow free additional plates for extra vehicles under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

It changes how Alabama issues distinctive plates by modifying who can get them and at what cost. Medal of Honor and former prisoner of war recipients and their surviving spouses would be eligible for base plates with no fee or tax; Purple Heart recipients would face ad valorem taxes on the vehicle for the base plate. It also allows these groups to obtain additional plates for extra vehicles without paying license taxes or registration fees, including ad valorem taxes, if they request it, otherwise standard fees apply; renewal decals would be provided after required payments.

Who It Affects

• Medal of Honor recipients and their surviving spouses: base distinctive plate free of fee/tax; may obtain additional plates for extra vehicles without paying license taxes/registration fees upon request.
• Purple Heart recipients and their surviving spouses: base distinctive plate free of fee/tax but ad valorem tax still applies to the vehicle; may obtain additional plates for extra vehicles without paying license taxes/registration fees upon request.
• Former prisoners of war and their surviving spouses: base distinctive plate free of fee/tax; may obtain additional plates for extra vehicles without paying license taxes/registration fees upon request.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-6-250 to make the base distinctive license plate free of fee or tax for Medal of Honor recipients, surviving spouses, and former prisoners of war, with Purple Heart recipients subject to ad valorem taxes on the vehicle for which the plate is issued.
• Allows eligible recipients to obtain additional distinctive plates for extra vehicles without payment of license taxes, registration fees, or ad valorem taxes, upon request and if other requirements are met; otherwise, standard taxes/fees apply for additional plates.
• Recipient groups may renew or obtain renewal decals as provided, with payment of required license taxes/fees for years when a new tag/plate is not issued.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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