SB398 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Jefferson Co., cities, motor vehicle tags, issuance, issuance fees and commissions, retention by city, Act 2012-196, 2012 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

Authorizes Jefferson County cities to issue motor vehicle registrations and keep related fees and commissions, with a retroactive effective date.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the mayor of a Jefferson County city to designate city officers to issue motor vehicle registrations and license plates for city residents. Cities may collect registration fees, ad valorem taxes, and issuance fees, and keep those city-collected funds in the city general fund. It also lets cities retain commissions on ad valorem tax assessments and collections, with motor vehicle tax commissions set at 1% for assessments and 1% for collections, and it requires audits and bonding for city officials involved. The act authorizes an annual additional issuance fee of up to $5 per plate (paid with the state fee) to be used for operating the city issuing office, and it is retroactively effective to April 1, 2014.

Who It Affects

• Residents of cities within Jefferson County, whose motor vehicle registrations and license plates may be issued by city officials instead of the county, with city retention of certain fees.
• City officials and city councils in Jefferson County, who gain authority to designate issuing officers, collect and retain issuance fees, levy an additional issuance fee, retain commissions, and undergo audits and bonding requirements.

Key Provisions

• Allows the mayor of a Jefferson County city to designate a city officer or employee to issue motor vehicle registrations and license plates for city residents, with restrictions on first-time state registrations and residency.
• City officials may collect registration fees, ad valorem taxes, and issuance fees, and retain the city-issued portion of issuance fees in the city general fund; the city may levy an additional issuance fee (up to $5 per plate) to be used for operating the issuing office.
• The city shall deduct and retain commissions on ad valorem tax assessments and collections, with commissions for motor vehicle taxes set at 1% for assessments and 1% for collections; the city’s accounts are subject to audit by the Examiners of Public Accounts and shortages are the city's responsibility; bonds are required for the issuing officials and their staff.
• The act is retroactive to April 1, 2014 and is considered remedial/curative to clarify legislative intent.

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

Subjects

Jefferson County