HB261: HB261 Motor vehicles; annual reduction of licensing fees for alternative fueled vehicles; provide

25 LC 39 4561 House Bill 261 By: Representatives Frye of the 122nd, Campbell of the 35th, Draper of the 90th, Sanchez of the 42nd, Romman of the 97th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as to provide for annual reduction of licensing2 fees for alternative fueled vehicles; to provide for a waiver of the fee for an alternative fueled3 specialty license plate upon proof of payment of the required l icensing fee; to provide for4 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and8 licensing of motor vehicles, is amended in Code Section 40-2-86.1, relating to license plates9 promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit c orporations or issued to10 qualified motor vehicles or owners with proceeds deposited in the general fund, by revising11 paragraph (7) of subsection (l) as follows:12 "( 7 ) ( A ) A s p e c i a l l i c e n s e pl a t e t o b e i s s u e d f o r a l t e r n a t i v e f ueled vehicles, which13 license plate shall be similar in design to the license plate issued to all other residents14 of this state except that the commissioner shall place a distinctive logo or emblem on15 the license plate which shall distinguish the vehicle as an alt ernative fueled vehicle16 H. B. 261 - 1 - 25 LC 39 4561 eligible to travel in travel lanes designated for such vehicles under paragraph (4) of17 subsection (a) of Code Section 32-9-4. The words 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall be18 imprinted on such special license plate in lieu of the county n ame decal. The funds19 raised by the sale of this license plate shall be deposited in the general fund.20 (B) As used in this paragraph, the term:21 (i) 'Alternative fuel' means electricity, natural gas, and propane.22 (ii) 'Alternative fueled vehicle' means any vehicle fueled solely by alternative fuel as23 defined in division (i) of this subparagraph, bi-fuel, or dual fuel.24 (C) Pursuant to paragraph (19) of subsection (a) of Code Secti on 40-2-151, the25 applicant for a special license plate for any alternative fuele d vehicle shall provide26 proof that he or she has paid the registration fee prescribed therein prior to the issuance27 of any special license plate under this paragraph. Upon showin g proof of such28 payment, any fees associated with the issuance, manufacture, an d renewal of such29 special license plate shall be waived."30 SECTION 2.31 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-151, relating to annual license fees for32 operation of vehicles, fee for permanent licensing of certain t railers, and fee for new33 passenger car with paid title ad valorem taxes, by revising paragraph (19) of subsection (a)34 as follows:35 "(19)(A)(i) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle not operated36 for commercial purposes .......................................37 200.00 (ii) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle operat ed for38 commercial purposes .........................................39 300.00 (iii) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle that is a low-speed40 v e h i c l e.....................................................41 100.00 H. B. 261 - 2 - 25 LC 39 4561 (B)(i) As used in this paragraph, the term 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall42 have the same meaning as in division (l)(7)(B)(ii) of Code Section 40-2-86.1;43 provided, however, that the fees in this paragraph shall not be assessed on44 vehicles which operate primarily on compressed natural gas, liq uefied45 natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas.46 (ii) The fees in this paragraph shall be in addition to any other fee imposed47 on the vehicle by this Code section.48 (iii) The fees in this paragraph shall be automatically adjusted on an annual49 basis by multiplying the percentage of increase or decrease in fuel efficiency50 from the previous year as measured by using the average of combined miles51 per gallon published in the United States Department of Energy Fuel52 Economy Guide against the current fee, and the resulting increa se or53 decrease shall be added or subtracted from the fee. This preli minary fee54 adjustment shall then be multiplied by the increase or decrease in the55 Consumer Price Index percentage for the applicable year, and the result will56 be added or subtracted from the preliminary fee to produce the fee for the57 year reducing the fee by 5 percent annually until such fee equals zero. The58 first adjustment shall be calculated and implemented on July 1, 2016 2026."59 SECTION 3.60 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.61 H. B. 261 - 3 -