SB143 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Motor vehicles, salvage or junk branded, advertisements, license or registration number required, penalties, unlicensed or unregistered entities prohibited from towing, impoundment authorized, cost recovery fines authorized

Summary

SB143 requires ads to buy salvage or junk vehicles to include the advertiser’s license number and other identifying details, and it creates penalties for noncompliance with exemptions and how fines are handled.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, advertisements for purchasing salvage or junk vehicles must clearly show the advertiser’s name, address, phone number, and current license number. Violations would be Class A misdemeanors, with fines split between the General Fund and the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. There are exemptions for private personal transactions, certain vehicle purchases, and ads attached to a licensed dealership property; several other exemptions apply to licensed dealers and specific circumstances. The act is designed to avoid requiring new local funds under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime or changes a crime definition, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Advertisers buying salvage or junk vehicles (businesses or individuals) who must include license numbers and contact info in their ads and who could face Class A misdemeanor penalties if they fail to do so.
• Licensed and unlicensed motor vehicle dealers (and local law enforcement) due to licensing requirements, potential penalties, and the way fines are distributed between the General Fund and local agencies.

Key Provisions

• Advertisements for salvage or junk vehicle purchases must display the advertiser’s true company name, physical address, telephone number, and current license number issued under specified Alabama laws.
• Violations are Class A misdemeanors; fines from violations are split with 50% going to the General Fund and 50% to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
• Exemptions include personal, private transactions not for rebuilding/dismantling/recycling, certain vehicles meeting defined conditions, and ads physically attached to a licensed dealership property.
• The act does not apply to private sales of one’s own vehicle or to persons licensed/registered under specific Articles and Chapters referenced in the bill.
• The bill is designated as not imposing new local fund expenditures under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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