HB489 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rex ReynoldsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

License plates, emergency medical services providers, distinctive license plates provided for, Sec. 32-6-281 added

Summary

The bill creates a distinctive EMSP license plate for licensed emergency medical services providers and sets rules for issuance, use, and penalties for fraud.

What This Bill Does

It creates a new distinctive license plate for emergency medical services providers (EMSPs) and allows licensed EMSPs to apply for it. The plate design is created by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, and proof of licensure must be verified; the plate may be used only on the EMSP's own private vehicle and replaces the standard plate on that vehicle. Issuance goes through local license issuing officials with regular fees, and the Department of Revenue can adopt rules to administer the program. The bill also makes it a Class C misdemeanor to fraudulently obtain or certify someone to obtain the plate, and the plates would begin for the 2020 licensing year.

Who It Affects

• Licensed emergency medical services providers (paramedics, EMTs, AEMTs, and other EMSP-licensed personnel) who may apply for and use a distinctive EMSP license plate on their personal vehicles.
• License issuing authorities (county judges of probate, license commissioners, and the Alabama Department of Revenue) who will approve, issue, and administer the EMSP plate program and collect regular license fees.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 32-6-281 to create a distinctive EMSP license plate and defines EMSP as paramedic, EMT–I, AEMT, or EMT licensed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
• Plate design will be created by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, and must be approved by the Commissioner of Revenue.
• Proof of EMSP licensure must be verified via the public license search on the ADPH, Office of Emergency Medical Services website; only active, unexpired EMSP license holders may obtain the plate.
• The distinctive plate is for personally owned private vehicles (including station wagons and pickup trucks) registered in the EMSP’s name and used in place of the standard plate for that vehicle.
• Falsely obtaining or certifying another person to obtain the EMSP plate is a Class C misdemeanor; conviction follows applicable laws.
• The plate will be prepared and issued for the licensing year starting January 1, 2020, and thereafter under existing license plate issuance procedures; the Department of Revenue may adopt rules to administer the section.
• The act notes it does not create a new or increased local funding requirement by Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.

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