SB96 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Elmore Co., motor vehicle licensing division, transferred from judge of probate to revenue commissioner, salary of judge of probate and revenue commissioner further provided for, Secs. 45-26-81.40 to 45-26-81.46, inclusive, 41-26-242.20 to 41-26-242.26, inclusive, am'd and renumbered

Summary

SB 96 moves Elmore County's license division from the judge of probate to the revenue commissioner, shifts certain tax duties, and adjusts salaries for county officials.

What This Bill Does

Creates a license division within the Judge of Probate's Revenue Commissioner’s Office to issue all licenses, including driver licenses, starting July 1, 2020, with marriage licenses excluded; the judge of probate is relieved of these duties. Transfers ad valorem tax, vehicle registrations, and decals for manufactured homes to the judge of probate revenue commissioner, while the revenue commissioner is relieved of motor vehicle and manufactured home tax duties. Sets salaries and allowances: an initial $16,000 annual expense allowance for the revenue commissioner through Sept 30, 2021, then a base salary of $95,000 starting Oct 1, 2021, and a base salary of $98,000 for the judge of probate; cost of living adjustments for both officials continue. Allows a mail-in renewal option for licenses with a renewal fee up to $5, paid to the county general fund.

Who It Affects

• Elmore County revenue commissioner, who will gain licensing duties and receive a new salary/expense arrangement
• Elmore County judge of probate, who will lose licensing duties but receive a specified base salary and oversee related responsibilities
• Elmore County residents and businesses who need licenses or interact with vehicle taxes and registrations, as these processes move between offices
• Elmore County taxpayers and the county general fund, which will fund staff, operations, and any renewal fees
• Elmore County Commission, which must approve staff levels, provide facilities, and set the renewal fee within the specified limits

Key Provisions

• Create license division within the Judge of Probate's Revenue Commissioner's Office to issue all licenses including driver licenses, effective July 1, 2020; marriage licenses are excluded; the judge of probate is relieved of these duties
• County to provide suitable quarters, forms, books, equipment, and staff; compensation for staff approved by the county commission and paid from the general fund
• The judge of probate revenue commissioner shall handle ad valorem taxes, vehicle registrations, and decals for manufactured homes; the revenue commissioner is relieved of motor vehicle and manufactured home tax duties
• The judge of probate revenue commissioner shall keep accurate records of licenses, money, and issuances and report to the Comptroller; unissued licenses and related documents must be accounted for as required by law
• Fees collected under these provisions remain county property and go to the county general fund; refunds follow existing law
• Licensing and renewals must follow tax payment requirements; license tag serves as evidence of payment; duplicates and records maintained as required by law
• License renewals may be mailed; renewal forms may be mailed prior to expiration; there is a mail-order renewal fee up to $5, paid to the general fund
• Effective July 1, 2020, a $16,000 annual expense allowance for the revenue commissioner through Sept 30, 2021, after which it is repealed; base salary for the revenue commissioner becomes $95,000 starting Oct 1, 2021, plus other eligible compensation; the judge of probate base salary becomes $98,000
• Cost-of-living or other approved salary increases for both the revenue commissioner and the judge of probate continue after the act's effective date
• All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this act are repealed; the act becomes effective July 1, 2020

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Elmore County