HB208: HB208 Special license plates; support state parks and historic sites; establish

Georgia law currently allows disabled veterans to receive one free license plate per qualifying vehicle. House Bill 208 rewrites the state's veteran license plate rules (O.C.G.A. §§ 40-2-69, 40-2-70, and 40-2-71) so that totally disabled veterans and other qualifying disabled veterans can receive free plates for up to two motorcycles or passenger cars used for personal purposes, rather than just one vehicle. It also updates how 'totally disabled veteran' is defined and adjusts the annual proof requirements for veterans whose disability is not permanent. The bill also creates new specialty license plates, including one to support the Department of Natural Resources' state parks and historic sites division, one benefiting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, one honoring the Shepherd Center, and others tied to Southern University Alumni, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Alabama State University alumni, plus a plate supporting black bass conservation. Because free license plates involve a tax-related exemption, the bill requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers, which it received. Most of the bill takes effect July 1, 2025, but the veteran plate sections take effect January 1, 2026.

• Allows totally disabled veterans to receive free license plates for up to two motorcycles or passenger cars for personal use, instead of just one vehicle.
• Extends the same two-vehicle free plate benefit to veterans who are disabled but do not qualify as totally disabled under Georgia's property tax disability standard (O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48).
• Updates the definition of 'totally disabled veteran' and revises the annual proof-of-disability process for veterans whose condition is not permanent.
• Raises the cap on vehicles a disabled veteran may register with free plates from one to two vehicles under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-71.
• Creates a new specialty license plate supporting the Department of Natural Resources' state parks and historic sites division, with proceeds going to that division.
• Establishes five more specialty plates: honoring the Shepherd Center, the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, Southern University Alumni, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alabama State University alumni, and black bass conservation, each funding a named organization.

Disabled and totally disabled veterans in Georgia who register vehicles for personal use, their surviving spouses and minor children in some cases, and Georgians who might buy the new specialty plates supporting the Shepherd Center, the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, university alumni groups, a sorority, state parks, or black bass conservation.

Qualifying disabled veterans who own two personal vehicles would no longer have to pay license plate fees on the second vehicle, easing a cost some previously bore. The new specialty plates also give Georgia drivers more ways to direct plate purchase proceeds toward specific causes, including state parks upkeep and veterans' services.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 40-2-69 so totally disabled veterans get free plates for up to two motorcycles or passenger cars, and updates the definition of totally disabled veteran.
• Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 40-2-70 to extend the same two-vehicle free plate benefit to veterans who are disabled but not totally disabled.
• Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 40-2-71 to raise the limit on vehicles eligible for free disabled veteran plates from one to two.
• Section 4 adds paragraph (71) to O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86, creating a specialty plate honoring the Shepherd Center, with proceeds going to Shepherd Center, Inc.
• Section 5 adds specialty plates for the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation, Southern University Alumni, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alabama State University alumni, the state parks and historic sites division, and black bass conservation, each naming the recipient of the funds.
• Section 6 requires the Act to pass by a two-thirds vote in both chambers under the Georgia Constitution's tax exemption provision (Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(n)).
• Section 7 sets most of the Act effective July 1, 2025, but delays the veteran license plate sections (1, 2, 3, and 5) until January 1, 2026.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date 2025-05-13
2. 2025-05-13Act 187
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-08House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-31House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2025-03-27Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-03-27Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-03-21Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)Primary sponsor
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• Trey Rhodes (R, HD-124)
• Jesse Petrea (R, HD-166)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 26, 2025

   167 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #81

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 27, 2025

   55 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #300

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   164 yea, 0 nay (7 not voting, 9 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #353

• veterans benefits
• license plates
• state parks
• disabled veterans
• specialty license plates