SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide - Georgia

LC 39 5097S/hrcs → SB 384/AP* · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Georgia's vehicle registration laws to support a new optional five-year registration program. It clarifies that emission inspection certificates must be submitted annually even during the five-year registration period, allows for electronic notices of suspension for eligible drivers, and explicitly prohibits refunds for early cancellations of these five-year registrations.

Scope change

The bill maintains the existing scope but clarifies the requirements for the optional five-year registration program, specifically mandating annual emission inspections and removing the ability to get refunds for early cancellation of these long-term registrations.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that owners with five-year registrations must still submit a valid emission inspection certificate every year, not just at the end of the five-year term.

Added authority for the Department of Revenue to send electronic notices regarding emission inspection failures and potential suspensions for drivers who chose the five-year registration option.

DEFINITION

Formally defined 'eligible motor vehicle' as one that has paid the alternative ad valorem tax, while explicitly excluding commercial and alternative-fueled vehicles.

FISCAL

Established a rule that owners cannot receive a credit or refund for fees paid on a five-year registration if they cancel, transfer, or have the vehicle suspended before the term ends.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated penalties for counties that register vehicles without proof of emission inspection, ensuring they can withhold state funding from non-compliant counties.

As Passed Senate → LC 39 5097S/hrcs · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was replaced with a House substitute version that adds new tax categories to the official code, removes a requirement to display annual revalidation decals, and updates the definition of eligible vehicles for five-year registration to explicitly include alternative ad valorem taxes.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly amends Code Section 48-5C-1 regarding alternative ad valorem taxation and title ad valorem tax fees, expanding the scope of referenced tax laws.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement to display a revalidation decal as evidence of annual motor vehicle registration renewal.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'eligible motor vehicle' to specify that required taxes must be paid in accordance with the alternative ad valorem tax set forth in Code Section 48-5C-1.

SCOPE

Added Code Section 48-5C-1 and title ad valorem tax fee to the list of laws being amended by the bill.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a typo in the electronic notice statement by changing 'CERTIFICATION' to 'CERTIFICATIONS'.

As introduced LC 39 4826 → As Passed Senate · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify that vehicle owners who choose a five-year registration term automatically agree to receive electronic notifications about emission inspection failures and potential registration suspensions. Additionally, the law was updated to deny fee refunds in more situations, including when a license plate is removed for reasons other than cancellation or suspension.

Scope change

The scope of electronic notification consent was expanded to be tied specifically to the choice of a five-year registration term, and the scope of fee forfeiture was broadened to include plate removal for any reason.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for electronic notification consent was changed from a general agreement to a specific condition: owners must elect a five-year registration term to agree to electronic communications regarding emission inspections.

A new rule was added authorizing the Department of Revenue to adopt rules and regulations to implement the bill's provisions.

ENFORCEMENT

The list of situations where vehicle registration fees are non-refundable was expanded to include the removal of a license plate for any reason, not just cancellation, termination, suspension, or revocation.

Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide

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