HB590: HB590 Professions and businesses; regulation of trailer manufacturers; provide

Right now Georgia does not have a specific state licensing system for companies that build trailers meant to be towed on public roads. This bill would add a new chapter to Title 43 of Georgia's professions and businesses code creating the State Board of Trailer Manufacturers, a nine-member board including industry representatives, a public member, and the commissioners of public safety and driver services. Manufacturers would have to apply for a license, pay a $150 application fee, carry insurance, maintain an established place of business, and hold a federal manufacturer identifier. Licensed manufacturers would pay an annual $1,500 fee, keep vehicle identification and sales records for five years, submit yearly sales reports, and allow inspections of their facilities. Operating without a license would be a misdemeanor, and the board could seek a court injunction against unlicensed manufacturers. Violations by licensees must be fixed within 90 days or the license is suspended for a year.

• Creates a nine-member State Board of Trailer Manufacturers, including three industry members, three trade association members, a public member, and two state commissioners as voting ex officio members.
• Requires anyone who manufactures trailers for use on Georgia public roads to obtain a license from the board before operating.
• Sets a $150.00 application fee and a $1,500.00 annual licensing fee, with license renewal required each year.
• Requires licensees to keep vehicle identification numbers and sales records for five years and submit annual sales reports to the board.
• Allows the board or its designees, including peace officers, to inspect manufacturing facilities and required records during reasonable business hours.
• Makes unlicensed trailer manufacturing a misdemeanor crime and lets the board go to court to stop unlicensed manufacturing as a public nuisance.

Trailer manufacturing companies in Georgia, their employees, and trade associations representing them; the Governor, who appoints most board members; the commissioners of public safety and driver services, who serve on the board; and consumers who buy trailers built in the state.

Trailer builders would face a new licensing process, ongoing fees, insurance and record-keeping requirements, and facility inspections that do not currently exist under this specific chapter. Building or operating without a license could bring misdemeanor charges or a court order shutting the business down.

• Code Section 43-45A-3 sets up the nine-member board and describes how members are appointed and replaced.
• Code Section 43-45A-7 makes it unlawful to operate as a trailer manufacturer in Georgia without a board-issued license.
• Code Section 43-45A-8 lists application requirements including a $150.00 fee, insurance, an established place of business, and a federal manufacturer identifier.
• Code Section 43-45A-9 sets licenses to expire annually and outlines hearing rights under the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act if a license is denied, suspended, or revoked.
• Code Section 43-45A-10 authorizes inspections and sets the $1,500.00 annual licensing fee, deposited into the state general fund.
• Code Section 43-45A-11 requires licensees to keep vehicle identification and sales records for five years and file annual sales lists with the board.
• Code Section 43-45A-12 lets the board seek a court injunction against unlicensed manufacturers, makes unlicensed manufacturing a misdemeanor, and requires licensees to fix violations within 90 days or face a one-year suspension.

1. 2026-01-16House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-02-26House Second Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-24House First Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-21House Hopper (House)

• Jaclyn Ford (R, HD-170)Primary sponsor
• James Burchett (R, HD-176)
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Lauren McDonald (R, HD-026)
• Marcus Wiedower (R, HD-121)
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-011)

• trailer manufacturing
• business licensing
• state regulatory boards
• consumer safety
• vehicle manufacturing