HB358 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dickie Drake

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Veterans, distinctive license plates, Air Medal added to military awards eligible to be commemorated, Secs. 32-6-250, 32-6-251 am'd.

Summary

HB358 adds the Air Medal to Alabama’s list of awards that can be commemorated on a distinctive permanent veteran’s license plate, with specific fees and funding provisions.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the law to include the Air Medal among the awards eligible for a distinctive veteran plate. Recipients would be issued a plate that is different in color/design from regular plates, with the following cost structure: most categories have no plate fee, but Air Medal recipients must pay the regular registration fee, ad valorem taxes, and an annual $25 fee (the same applies to Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star plates). The proceeds from these plates (after administrative costs) go to the Alabama Veterans' Assistance Fund. The bill also allows eligible recipients to obtain plates for multiple vehicles under certain conditions and establishes an effective date of January 1, 2021.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Alabama residents who are Air Medal recipients; they would be eligible to obtain a distinctive Air Medal plate for their private vehicle and would pay the regular registration fee, ad valorem taxes, and an annual $25 fee.
• Group 2: Other current eligible groups (e.g., Medal of Honor recipients or widows, Purple Heart recipients, Legion of Valor members, former prisoners of war) who already qualify for distinctive plates; they retain eligibility and will be affected by the new Air Medal option and the established fee/tax structure for applicable plates.

Key Provisions

• Adds the Air Medal to the list of military awards eligible for a distinctive permanent license plate under sections 32-6-250 and 32-6-251.
• Specifies that Air Medal plate holders pay regular registration fees, ad valorem taxes, and an annual $25 fee; Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star recipients have defined fee/tax requirements as part of the same program.
• Allows eligible individuals to receive additional distinctive plates for other vehicles if they qualify and pay applicable taxes and fees, including the $25 annual fee for certain plates.
• Directs that net proceeds from the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star plates, after administrative costs, go to the Alabama Veterans' Assistance Fund.
• Establishes the design and coding for the Air Medal plate (AM) and notes the plate’s appearance and issuance rules align with other distinctive military plates.
• Effective date: January 1, 2021.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles