SB298 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Motor vehicles, veterans, distinctive license plates for recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Secs. 32-6-250, 32-6-251 am'd.

Summary

SB298 would create a distinctive license plate for Distinguished Flying Cross recipients and update related license plate fee rules and funding for Alabama veterans.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new distinctive license plate category for Distinguished Flying Cross recipients, alongside existing veteran plates. It states who pays for these plates: most categories carry no fee, Purple Heart plates require ad valorem taxes, and Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star plates require regular registration fees, ad valorem taxes, and a $25 annual fee. It directs that net proceeds from the extra revenues of these specific plates go to the Alabama Veterans' Assistance Fund, with administration and distribution handled by probate judges or license commissioners and the state Comptroller.

Who It Affects

• Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross who may obtain the new distinctive license plate and pay any applicable fees.
• Other eligible veterans who qualify for existing distinctive plates and their associated fee rules (Purple Heart pay ad valorem taxes; DFC/Silver Star/Bronze Star plates pay regular registration fees, ad valorem taxes, and a $25 annual fee).
• Judges of probate, license commissioners, and the Department of Revenue who issue plates and handle the distribution of net proceeds to the Alabama Veterans' Assistance Fund.

Key Provisions

• Adds a distinctive permanent license plate for Distinguished Flying Cross recipients (and makes it available on private motor vehicles).
• Outlines the fee structure: no fee for most recipients, ad valorem taxes for Purple Heart recipients, and regular registration fees, ad valorem taxes, and a $25 annual fee for Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star recipients.
• Provides that net proceeds from the additional revenues of the DFC, Silver Star, and Bronze Star plates (after administrative costs) go to the Alabama Veterans' Assistance Fund, distributed by probate judges or license commissioners to the state Comptroller.
• Allows eligible individuals to receive additional distinctive plates for other categories if they pay all applicable taxes and registration fees, including a $25 annual fee for DFC/Silver Star/Bronze Star plates, with renewal decals as needed.
• Sets plate design standards (same size as regular plates, distinct color/design), and specifies issuance rules including a limit of one plate per vehicle unless exceptions apply.
• Effective date: October 1, 2017.

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