HB17 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Randall Shedd
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Motor Vehicles, distinctive license plates, Bronze Star plate, additional fee, distrib. to Veterans' Assistance Fund
Summary: HB17 expands Alabama's distinctive license plate program with new plate categories, allows motorcycle versions, adds new fees, and directs revenues to veterans, fire memorial, and school funds while tightening rules around personalization and plate production.
What This Bill Does
It creates and updates a wide range of distinctive license plates (including Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Legion of Valor, POW, Firefighter, In Memory, Alabama Gold Star Family, Alabama Bicentennial, and Helping Schools) and allows motorcycles to carry these plates; most plates can be personalized, but some are restricted. It adds an annual fee for personalized or distinctive plates and an additional administration offset of $5 per year, with funds allocated to offset plate-related costs. It sets minimum commitment thresholds (250 for smaller categories, 1,000 for larger ones) before production and requires sponsoring organizations to apply through the Department of Revenue and an oversight committee. It changes revenue distribution from these plates to specific funds (e.g., Bronze Star and veterans’ plates to the Alabama Veterans’ Assistance Fund; firefighter plates to the Alabama Joint Fire Council Memorial; Helping Schools plates to designated school districts for classroom needs) and includes provisions for third-party plate production and bond requirements for designated agents.

Who It Affects
Residents of Alabama who register vehicles and may apply for distinctive plates, including veterans, active or retired service members, and their families.
Families of deceased service members who may obtain the Alabama Gold Star Family plate with required documentation and potential exemptions.
Active and retired firefighters and their families who qualify for firefighter plates and retired firefighter plates, with funds supporting memorials.
School districts, teachers, and students who benefit from the Helping Schools plate funding for classroom supplies and equipment.
Organizations sponsoring new distinctive plate categories, which must reach minimum commitments and obtain approval before production.
Dealers, judges of probate, license commissioners, and other designated agents who issue plates and manage title-related processes; the Department of Revenue and third-party plate manufacturers.
Certain veterans groups and military-related entities that participate in special plates and related fee structures.

Key Provisions
Amends several sections to create and regulate multiple distinctive license plates, authorize motorcycle versions, and allow personalization for most plates (with exceptions).
Introduces an annual additional fee for personalized or distinctive plates and a separate $5 administration offset to cover manufacturing and administration costs.
Sets minimum applicant commitments for new plate categories (Quantity Class 1: 250+; Quantity Class 2: 1,000+ registrations) and requires sponsoring organizations to apply through the Department of Revenue and the Legislative Oversight Committee.
Directs how revenues from different plates are distributed: Bronze Star and other veterans’ plates contribute to the Alabama Veterans’ Assistance Fund; firefighter plates support the Alabama Joint Fire Council Memorial; Helping Schools plates fund classroom needs in designated school districts; In Memory and other plates have specified distribution rules; and some revenues go to the State General Fund.
Authorizes third-party manufacturing of plates under contract and standardizes the bond requirements for designated agents issuing titles and plates.
Adds and clarifies plate-specific provisions for several plates, including the Alabama Bicentennial (issued 2016–2020 with design approval and non-renewal after 2020), and the Alabama Gold Star Family plate with documentation and eligibility rules.
Implements exemptions, fee structures, and rules related to other title and plate processes, including surety bonds for designated agents and the effective dates of various provisions.

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