SB158 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Holley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive tags for Alabama Gold Star Family, cost of tag reduced, registration fee exempted, Secs. 32-6-630, 40-12-244 am'd.

Summary

SB158 would create a free 'Alabama Gold Star Family' license tag for immediate family members of service members who died on active duty and exempt the associated vehicle from its registration fee.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends two sections to allow one Gold Star Family tag at no cost and with no vehicle registration fee for the tagged vehicle. Additional Gold Star tags can be obtained by paying the usual license plate fees plus a $3 issuance fee. Eligibility is limited to immediate family members of those who died on active duty, who must provide specific documentation (DD Form 2064, DD Form 1300, or a notarized affidavit) and the tag must be designed by the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization and approved by the Department of Revenue.

Who It Affects

• Immediate family members of a person who died while on active duty in any branch of the U.S. military who would qualify for the Gold Star Family tag and receive one tag at no cost plus an exemption from the vehicle's registration fee for that vehicle.
• People who want additional Gold Star Family tags beyond the first one, who would pay the regular license plate fees and an additional $3 per extra tag.

Key Provisions

• Establishes 'Alabama Gold Star Family' as a distinctive license plate category issued like other distinctive plates.
• Eligible immediate family members may receive one Gold Star Family tag at no cost and exempt from the vehicle registration fee for the tagged vehicle; additional tags require regular fees plus $3.
• Documentation required to receive the tag includes DD Form 2064, DD Form 1300, or a notarized affidavit from the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization certifying relationship.
• The tag must be designed by the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization and approved by the Department of Revenue.
• Defines 'immediate family' to include spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, guardians, and others designated as next of kin by the Department of Defense.
• Section 40-12-244 adds that Gold Star Family tag recipients are exempt from the vehicle registration fee for one vehicle per family member.
• Effective date: October 1, 2015.

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