HB14 Alabama 2015 2nd Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Second Special Session 2015

Title

Motor vehicles, titles, fee increased for issuing and processing, Sec. 32-8-6 am'd.

Summary

HB14 would raise motor vehicle title and record fees and expand salvage, rebuilt, and flood-designated vehicle rules in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

First, it increases the fee charged for issuing and processing motor vehicle titles from $15 to $28 per transaction and adds a $1.50 commission for designated agents. If multiple title transactions are filed for one vehicle, the processing is treated as a single transaction with the department receiving $15 and the agent receiving $1.50. It also adds a $15 title history fee and establishes $5 fees for electronic title records and NMVTIS records to fund the Motor Vehicle Division's training and improvements. Additionally, it expands salvage and rebuilt vehicle rules, requiring inspections for restored salvage vehicles, decals on rebuilt titles, and mandatory disclosures when selling salvage/rebuilt or flood-designated vehicles, with stricter recordkeeping and verification for dismantlers and recyclers.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners and buyers in Alabama: will face higher costs for title issuance, title history requests, and certain records, along with new disclosure requirements and potential delays related to salvage, rebuilt, or flood-designated vehicle status.
• Automotive dismantlers, salvage yards, recyclers, and designated DMV agents: must follow expanded recordkeeping, surrender titles for dismantled vehicles, file notices electronically, participate in real-time NMVTIS verification, pay new fees (including per-submittal or annual NMVTIS fees), and may face penalties for noncompliance or fraudulent filings.

Key Provisions

• Increases title-related transaction fees: $28 per transaction and a $1.50 agent commission; if multiple transactions are combined for a single vehicle, the department fee is treated as $15 with a $1.50 agent commission.
• Adds a $15 title history fee and establishes $5 fees for electronic title records and NMVTIS records, with the funds split between the State General Fund and the Motor Vehicle Division for training and technology improvements.
• Applies similar fee increases to manufactured home titles under Section 32-20-4, including per-transaction fees and record fees.
• Salvage/rebuilt vehicle provisions: new rules for salvage certificates, rebuilt titles, required inspections for restored salvage vehicles, decals on rebuilt titles, and mandatory disclosures to buyers about salvage or rebuilt status.
• Dismantler/recycler requirements: surrender titles for crushed vehicles, maintain five years of records, file notices electronically, and use an NMVTIS verification system with a $5 per submittal or a $500 annual option; penalties and potential for forfeiture for violations; immunity for compliant dismantlers/recyclers.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the second month after its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles