SB291: SB291 Special License Plates; establish an "America First" specialty license plate

Georgia law already lets the Department of Revenue issue specialty license plates for various causes, groups, and themes under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86.1. This bill adds a new plate to that list: an "America First" plate showing an American flag, meant to represent patriotism and national pride. Normally the department needs 1,000 prepaid applications before it will produce a new specialty plate design, but this bill lets the department start making the America First plate right away, without waiting for that threshold to be met first. However, if fewer than 1,000 applications come in by January 1, 2028, the department must stop manufacturing the plate. Money raised from selling the plate goes into the state's general fund rather than to a specific charity or program. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026.

• Adds a new specialty license plate option called "America First," featuring an American flag image, to Georgia's list of special plates under O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86.1.
• Allows the Department of Revenue to begin producing the plate immediately, waiving the usual requirement of 1,000 prepaid applications before manufacturing starts.
• Requires the department to stop making the plate if it has not received 1,000 applications by January 1, 2028.
• Directs that all money collected from sales of the America First plate be deposited into the state's general fund rather than a dedicated cause or nonprofit.
• Sets the law's effective date as January 1, 2026.

Georgia vehicle owners who want to purchase the America First specialty plate, and the Department of Revenue, which must produce, track applications for, and potentially discontinue the plate depending on demand.

Drivers gain another specialty plate option to display on their vehicles, and the state gets a new, if likely modest, funding stream into its general fund. The 1,000-application deadline means the plate could disappear from circulation if demand is too low.

• Section 1 amends subsection (l) of O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86.1 to add paragraph (12), creating the America First license plate with an American flag design.
• The new plate is exempt from the standard rule requiring 1,000 prepaid applications before the department manufactures a specialty plate.
• If 1,000 applications are not submitted by January 1, 2028, the department must stop manufacturing the plate.
• Revenue from plate sales goes to the state's general fund, not to a specific nonprofit or program.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as January 1, 2026.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date 2026-01-01
2. 2025-05-14Act 301
3. 2025-05-14Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-04-02House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-04-02House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-04-02House Third Readers (House)

• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)Primary sponsor
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   34 yea, 22 nay

   Adoption Of Amend #1a By Sen From The 14th To Amend #1 By Sen From The 14th: Senate Vote #189

2. FailedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   24 yea, 32 nay

   Adoption Of The Amendment By The Sen From The 14th As Amended: Senate Vote #190

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   33 yea, 23 nay

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #191

4. PassedHouse voteApril 2, 2025

   95 yea, 68 nay (2 not voting, 15 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #393

5. PassedSenate voteApril 4, 2025

   33 yea, 21 nay (0 not voting, 2 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #472

• license plates
• vehicle registration
• Georgia Department of Revenue
• state revenue