SB76: SB76 License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; establish

Georgia already lets certain decorated veterans get free specialty license plates. This bill adds several more military medals and honors, including the Navy Corps Medal, Marine Corps Medal, Airman's Medal, Coast Guard Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, to the list that qualifies a veteran for one of these plates (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-85.1). It also updates the fee and renewal rules for these plates and for spouses of eligible veterans. The bill creates a brand new specialty plate for people who currently serve or formerly served in the United States Navy submarine service, with retired members getting a plate marked 'RETIRED' instead of a county name (new O.C.G.A. § 40-2-85.5). Separately, it changes where multipurpose off-highway vehicles, like certain off-road utility vehicles, can legally be driven on public roads, allowing them on highways with speed limits of 60 miles per hour or less. The changes would take effect July 1, 2027.

• Adds the Navy Corps Medal, Marine Corps Medal, Airman's Medal, Coast Guard Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge to the list of military honors that qualify a veteran for a free specialty license plate.
• Creates a new specialty license plate for current and retired members of the United States Navy submarine service, with retired members' plates marked 'RETIRED' instead of a county name.
• Sets a $25.00 manufacturing fee for the new submarine service plate and allows it to be transferred between vehicles.
• Updates fee and renewal language for veteran license plates and for spouses of eligible veterans, including annual and five-year registration fee options.
• Changes the rules for where multipurpose off-highway vehicles can be driven, permitting them on highways with a maximum speed limit of 60 miles per hour or less.

Georgia veterans and current service members eligible for special license plates, particularly those with certain medals or Navy submarine service backgrounds, along with their spouses. Owners of multipurpose off-highway vehicles and county tag agents who process these license plates are also affected.

More veterans, including submarine service members, would become eligible for specialty plates that recognize their service, while some spouses and renewing plate holders would see updated fee rules. Off-highway vehicle owners would gain more legal road options, potentially affecting where these vehicles can safely share the road with other traffic.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-2-85.1 to add five new military medals and honors to the definition of 'military medal award' that qualifies veterans for a free specialty plate.
• Section 1 also revises fee and renewal rules, including a $25.00 manufacturing fee for an additional plate and annual or five-year registration fee options.
• Section 2 creates new O.C.G.A. § 40-2-85.5, establishing a specialty license plate for current and retired U.S. Navy submarine service members, with a $25.00 manufacturing fee.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-6-362 to change where multipurpose off-highway vehicles may operate, allowing use on highways with speed limits of 60 miles per hour or less.
• Section 4 sets the effective date of the Act as July 1, 2027.
• Section 5 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2027-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 485
3. 2026-05-11Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-04-02House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-04-02House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2026-04-02House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-04-02Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended (Senate)

• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Derrick McCollum (R, HD-030)

1. PassedSenate voteFebruary 13, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #52

2. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   168 yea, 2 nay (4 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #839

3. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2026

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

   Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #970

4. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2026

   168 yea, 2 nay (4 not voting, 2 absent)

   Agree To Senate Amend To House Sub: House Vote #870

• veterans
• license plates
• military honors
• off-road vehicles
• motor vehicle law