SB 293 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

License Plates for Certain Veterans; the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans; increase

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-85.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to license plates for certain veterans, so as to increase the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Signed May 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 39 5060S/hss → SB 293/AP* · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to update the legislative text from a House substitute version to the final Senate version, incorporating new provisions for annual operating permits for unregistered vehicles and revised fee structures for dealer license plates. The scope of the bill was expanded to include these new permit requirements and fee adjustments, while the core penalties for license plate violations and used car dealer regulations remained consistent.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include authority for the Department of Revenue to issue annual permits for operating unregistered motor vehicles and to revise fees for various dealer license plates.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions authorizing the Department of Revenue to issue annual permits for operating unregistered motor vehicles upon state highways, including application requirements, violation penalties, and permit suspension authority.

Added new sections detailing conditions and limitations for the operation of unregistered vehicles under annual permits.

FISCAL

Revised the bill's purpose statement to include updated fee structures for manufacturer, manufacturer headquarters, distributor, and dealer license plates.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header and section numbering to reflect the final Senate version (SB 293/AP) rather than the House substitute version (LC 39 5060S).

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

55–0

Passed

Total votes 55

Mar 6, 2025

D Democratic22

22 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican33

33 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 11, 2026

Signed into law

Act 503

upper

May 11, 2026

Signed into law

Senate Date Signed by Governor

upper

Mar 31, 2026

Introduced

House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

lower

Mar 27, 2026

Introduced

Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

36 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role

Legislator

Party

State

District