HB519 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will AinsworthLt. Governor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

All-terrain vehicles and recreational off-highway vehicles, registration authorized on voluntary basis with ALEA, fees, deposit in off-road vehicle account

Summary

HB519 creates a voluntary registration program for all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, including fees and a dedicated funding account for safety, trails, and administration.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows owners to voluntarily register ATVs and off-road vehicles with ALEA and requires dealers to submit registrations at sale, collecting a small processing fee. It sets three-year registration fees (private use $15, public use $45) plus fees for duplicates or transfers, and assigns an issuance fee of $2.50 to agents; a replacement registration card costs $5. Funds from registrations go into an all-terrain vehicle account used for safety education, administration, trail development, and grants to counties and municipalities. It also defines vehicle types, outlines transfer rules, replacement procedures, refund conditions, and establishes administrative and effective-date details, while prohibiting local governments from requiring ATV registration.

Who It Affects

• Owners of all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles who choose to register, paying the applicable three-year private or public use fees and receiving registration stickers and cards.
• Dealers and manufacturers who handle registrations (including monthly submissions and handling of fees), and who may operate vehicles for demonstrations or testing under the dealer/manufacturer provisions.

Key Provisions

• Provides voluntary registration of ATVs and off-road vehicles with the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
• Defines ATV and off-road vehicle sizes, weights, uses, and exclusions (e.g., golf carts and certain equipment are excluded).
• Sets registration fees: private use $15, public use $45 for a three-year term; duplicates/transfers $5; issuance/agent fee $2.50 for issuance by an agent.
• Dealer registrations for demonstrations or testing: $50 per year; manufacturer registrations for research/testing: $150 per year; these are not transferable.
• Private use registrations are valid for three years and are not transferable; registration cards contain vehicle and owner information and must be signed.
• Registrations can be transferred within 30 days of ownership transfer, using a bill of sale with the vehicle serial number.
• Replacement registration cards cost $5; replacement fees go to the all-terrain vehicle account; replacement processes are described by the secretary.
• Funds from registrations go into the all-terrain vehicle account and may be used for safety education, administration, trails, and grant programs to counties and municipalities.
• No local political subdivision may require licensing or registration of these vehicles.
• Initial registration requires a purchaser’s certificate with vehicle description and seller information.
• Refunds may be issued for incorrect registrations or when a dealer and customer register the same vehicle.
• The secretary may adopt rules to administer the act; the act becomes operative January 1, 2018.
• If the Division of Marine Police is moved to another agency, administration of this act transfers to that agency.

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

Subjects

All-Terrain Vehicles