HB288 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Margie WilcoxRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Boats and vessels, registration by Law Enforcement Agency, number sticker authorized, distinctive registration decals supporting organizations authorized, fees, distrib. of part of fees to State Parks, Sec. 33-5-11am'd.

Summary

HB288 creates a distinctive vessel identification sticker program tied to approved sponsoring organizations and distinctive license plates, regulates processing, and directs extra fee proceeds to organizations, state parks, and related agencies.

What This Bill Does

It allows vessel owners to buy a pair of one-year distinctive identification stickers showing support for an approved organization and to obtain a distinctive license plate. It imposes a new $50 extra cost for these distinctive stickers and specifies how the proceeds are distributed to sponsoring organizations, state parks, and state agencies, including costs for production and processing. It also sets up regulatory and operational rules, including approvals, transfers, replacements, monthly payments, and auditing, and aligns the distinctive stickers with the existing vessel numbering system.

Who It Affects

• Vessel owners and purchasers in Alabama, who may opt to buy distinctive one-year vessel identification stickers (and a distinctive license plate), pay the higher fee, and follow replacement or transfer rules.
• Sponsoring organizations (including colleges or universities) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (state parks), which receive a portion of the proceeds and participate in approval and design processes for the distinctive program.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 33-5-11 to add an option for distinctive one-year vessel identification stickers and a corresponding distinctive license plate, in addition to the standard five-year identification numbers.
• Adds a $50 additional cost for distinctive vessel identification stickers, with proceeds distributed as follows: $25 to the sponsoring organization and $25 to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for state parks, after accounting for production/processing costs and an issuance fee.
• Allocates proceeds to specific entities: up to 14% of production/delivery costs to the Alabama Correctional Industries Division, up to 6% to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency for processing costs, and the remainder split evenly between the sponsoring organization and state parks; issuance fees are handled by issuing officers.
• Requires approvals from the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on License Tags for the design and use of distinctive stickers, and approval of the sponsoring organization for the license plate.
• Allows distinctive vessel stickers only if a corresponding personalized license plate is available; otherwise, distinctive stickers are not issued.
• Stickers are transferable to a new vessel owner and replacement rules apply for lost or damaged stickers (replacement up to $15 plus a $2 issuance fee, with distribution following the same pattern).
• Monthly remittance of proceeds to the Comptroller with annual auditing by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; rules and forms are set by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
• First issuance period for distinctive stickers aligns with the current license plate period, then renewals occur every five years; redesigns occur when license plates are redesigned.
• If no sponsoring organization is associated with a distinctive plate, a taxpayer can petition for authorization to receive distinctive vessel identification stickers.
• Effective date: January 1, 2018.

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

Subjects

Law Enforcement Agencies