SB230 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Motor vehicles, tags, Alabama Gold Star Family license plate further provided, Sec. 32-6-630 am'd.

Summary

SB230 would establish a permanent Alabama Gold Star Family license plate, allow a personalized option for a $50 annual fee, and remove the five-year redesign requirement for this plate.

What This Bill Does

Creates a distinct 'Alabama Gold Star Family' license plate category for immediate family members of service members who died on active duty. The first plate remains free from registration fees and taxes; additional plates require standard motor vehicle fees plus a $3 initial issuance. A personalized version can be issued for an extra $50 per year, allowing custom details about the fallen service member. The plate design is permanent and not subject to the usual five-year redesign cycle, with design work by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and approval by the Department of Revenue, based on documented proof of family relationship.

Who It Affects

• Immediate family members (spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, or other designated next of kin) of a service member who died while on active duty, who may apply for the Gold Star Family plate and, if desired, a personalized version for an additional annual fee.
• License plate issuing officials (e.g., probate judges) and state agencies (Department of Revenue and Department of Veterans' Affairs) responsible for issuing, approving, and administering the Gold Star Family plate and its personalized option.

Key Provisions

• Creates a distinctive license plate category named 'Alabama Gold Star Family' to be issued like other distinctive plates.
• Eligible applicants are immediate family members of a person who died on active duty; the first plate is exempt from motor vehicle registration fees, ad valorem tax, and additional fees; additional plates require regular fees plus a $3 initial issuance.
• Implements a personalized Gold Star Family plate available for an extra annual fee of $50, with allowed personalized details about the fallen service member (per Department of Revenue rules).
• Requires documentation for eligibility, including DD Form 2064 or DD Form 1300, or a notarized affidavit from the Alabama Department of Veterans' Affairs confirming relationship if not identified as next of kin.
• Design of the plate must be created by the Department of Veterans' Affairs after consultation with the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization and approved by the Department of Revenue.
• The Gold Star Family plate design is permanent and not subject to the standard 5-year redesign cycle (not governed by Section 32-6-62).
• The act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles