SB39 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Manufacturers and dealers of boats, boat trailers, add'l authorization to provide temporary license plates and registration certificates, when sold out of state, Sec. 32-6-212 am'd.

Summary

SB39 lets Alabama boat and trailer manufacturers and dealers issue temporary license plates and registrations for boat trailers sold out of state, and extends this to other trailers, with standardized bonding requirements.

What This Bill Does

Authorizes Alabama boat and trailer manufacturers and dealers to apply to the Department of Revenue for authority to issue temporary license plates and temporary registration certificates for boat trailers that will be permanently registered in a state other than Alabama. Extends the same temporary-plate authority to dealers of boats for boat trailers used to transport boats sold by them that will be domiciled outside Alabama, and to other trailer types such as semi-trailers and utility trailers in out-of-state sales. Standardizes bond requirements for these temporary-plate issuers, requiring a bond with a corporate surety payable to the State of Alabama (amount set by the department, with exceptions for existing bonds under certain provisions), or an acceptable alternate financial demonstration; a manufacturer or dealer already bonded under specified sections may not need a new bond. Effective date of October 1, 2016.

Who It Affects

• Alabama manufacturers and dealers of boats and trailers: may apply for authority to issue temporary license plates and registrations for out-of-state shipments; must meet bond or net-worth requirements.
• Alabama Department of Revenue and bond sureties: will administer the approval process, set bond terms, and enforce compliance with the new temporary-plate authority.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes manufacturers and dealers in Alabama to apply to the Department of Revenue for authority to issue temporary license plates and temporary registration certificates for boat trailers when the associated boat will be domiciled in a state other than Alabama.
• Allows boat dealers to apply for authority to issue temporary license plates and temporary registration certificates for boat trailers used to transport boats sold by them that will be domiciled outside Alabama; extends this authority to semi-trailers and utility trailers.
• Requires the manufacturer or dealer approved for this authority to post a bond with a corporate surety payable to the State of Alabama, in a sum determined by the department (with reference to Section 40-12-398); if the manufacturer or dealer already has a bond under specified sections (32-8-34, 32-20-22, or 40-12-398), no new bond is required.
• Allows an alternative to a bond by having a condensed balance sheet showing net worth of at least $25,000, sworn and dated within three months prior to July 1 each year, as prescribed by the department.
• Addresses temporary license plate issuance by these entities in connection with boat trailers and other trailers used for out-of-state domiciliation; establishes bonding/financial requirements and related duties.
• Effective date: October 1, 2016.

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

Subjects

Manufacturers