SB281 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clay Scofield

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Motor vehicles, certificates of title, issuance by Revenue Dept., exemptions further provided for, penalties for violations by dealers, involuntary transfers, notice to Revenue Dept. required, Secs. 32-8-30, 32-8-31, 32-8-42, 32-8-46 am'd.

Summary

SB281 updates Alabama's motor vehicle title rules based on vehicle age, adds exemptions from titling, tightens dealer penalties, and requires advance notice before involuntary transfers by operation of law.

What This Bill Does

It updates title requirements by age for several vehicle types (including passenger vehicles, semi-trailers, travel trailers, utility trailers, and moving collapsible folding campers) and adds exemptions from title requirements for specific vehicles. It strengthens enforcement by designating dealer violations as a Class A misdemeanor with penalties. It requires a 35-day notice to the Department of Revenue before involuntary transfers by operation of law, specifies what information must be included in the notice, and requires the department to maintain indexed public records of these notices. It notes that any required local expenditures are allowed under constitutional exceptions, so the bill does not need local government approval to take effect.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners and buyers in Alabama who may be subject to revised titling requirements or exemptions based on the vehicle's age.
• Dealers, lenders, and other parties involved in transferring ownership or handling involuntary transfers, who face possible Class A misdemeanor penalties for violations and must follow new notice requirements.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 32-8-30, 32-8-31, 32-8-42, and 32-8-46 to update title requirements by age for specific vehicle types and to expand exemptions from titling.
• Explicitly changes the penalty for dealer violations to a Class A misdemeanor (with a fine up to $500 as stated in the current text).
• Requires a 35-day prior notice to the Department of Revenue before involuntary transfers of motor vehicles by operation of law, with specified information to be included and public records kept by the department.
• Creates exceptions to the notice requirement for certain transfers (chapter 13 transfers and those by divorce decree).
• Establishes effective date of January 1, 2017.
• Notes in the bill that, although it may involve new local fund expenditures, it is exempt from local-approval requirements under Amendment 621 due to stated exceptions.

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