SB513 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jimmy Holley
Republican
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: SB513 would authorize the Administrative Office of Courts to collect motor vehicle registration reinstatement fees tied to liability insurance suspensions and set how those fees are collected, distributed, and used.
What This Bill Does
The bill creates a reinstatement fee process for registrations suspended due to liability insurance issues, requiring proof of current insurance. The first violation costs $100 to reinstate, and the second or later violations cost $200, with requirements to maintain insurance for a defined period. Fees are distributed to various state and local offices and funds, with specified retention rules, plus separate funds for technology and officer benefit programs; refunds and appeals are also outlined. The law becomes effective January 1, 2011.

Who It Affects
Vehicle owners: must pay reinstatement fees and show proof of current liability insurance to reinstate registration after a suspension; penalties and insurance requirements apply for subsequent violations.
County license plate issuing officials, circuit clerks, and the Administrative Office of Courts: responsible for collecting reinstatement fees, forwarding documents, and distributing funds according to the new rules.
State and local governments and funds: department, special funds (technology and licensing officials’ fund), county general fund, and state/federal officer benefit and technology programs receive designated shares of the fees.
Other affected entities: the Alabama Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund receives a portion of the reinstatement fees; and the Clerk's Fund and Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund receive specified deposits.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 32-7A-9 to require reinstatement fees and submission of current proof of insurance to the Administrative Office of Courts for liability insurance suspensions, and provides for fee distribution.
Fee schedule: $100 reinstatement fee for a first violation; $200 for a second or subsequent violation, with the suspension term and insurance maintenance requirements corresponding to each level (one year after first, three years after subsequent). A second offense can be a Class B misdemeanor.
For first violations, upon payment and proof of insurance, the suspension is terminated; the owner must purchase/maintain insurance for a year. For second/subsequent violations, the suspension is terminated after paying the higher fee and providing proof of insurance, with elevated insurance requirements and potential penalties.
Fees collected are allocated with specific retention and distribution rules based on who collects them (department, Administrative Office of Courts, circuit clerk), including a special Licensing Officials' Fund for technology, and separate allocations to the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund and Clerk's Fund.
Ten dollars of each reinstatement fee go to the Alabama Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; a portion of net proceeds is directed to this fund as specified, with other funds receiving designated percentages.
It is unlawful for license plate issuing officials to fail to collect reinstatement fees, and the fee cannot be waived if the owner cannot provide evidence of a valid liability insurance policy at the time of citation.
Section 2 clarifies that 'circuit clerk' includes district clerks as applicable, and Section 3 states the act takes effect January 1, 2011.

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