Senate Bill 186 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Motor vehicles, distinctive license plates, issuance of "Invisible Disability" plates, authorized

Summary

SB186 would authorize an 'Invisible Disability' license plate for Alabama residents with invisible disabilities and their primary caregivers, funded by a $40 annual fee to support sensory accessibility programs.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes issuance of a distinctive 'Invisible Disability' license plate to individuals with invisible disabilities and to their primary caregivers. To receive the plate, applicants must provide medical proof of diagnosis, comply with registration laws, and pay the regular plate fees plus a $40 annual fee. The plate would be valid for five years and could be renewed or exchanged for conventional, personalized, or new 'Invisible Disability' plates. Proceeds from the $40 fee, after production and administrative costs, would be sent monthly to KultureCity to support sensory accessibility and inclusion in Alabama; KultureCity would design the plate (subject to Revenue Commissioner approval), and implementing rules could be adopted by the Department of Revenue. The act would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Individuals in Alabama with an invisible disability (as defined in the bill) who want a distinctive license plate; they may apply and must provide medical proof and pay the required fees.
• Primary caregivers of individuals with invisible disabilities in Alabama; they may also apply for the plate and must meet the same requirements and fee payments.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the issuance of an 'Invisible Disability' license plate for eligible individuals and their primary caregivers.
• Defines 'invisible disability' to include listed physical or mental conditions such as communication impediments, hearing loss, blindness or visual impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's/dementia, PTSD, epilepsy, developmental disability, Down syndrome, diabetes, heart condition, or cognitive disability.
• Requires diagnosis proof from a physician and compliance with normal license plate registration and the $40 annual fee; plates valid for five years and renewable or replaceable with other plate types.
• Design of the plate by KultureCity, subject to approval by the Commissioner of Revenue, with monthly remittance of net proceeds to the organization for sensory accessibility and inclusion.
• Department of Revenue may adopt rules to implement the section, and the act takes effect October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic