HB630: HB630 State Board of Registration; remove used car division and the used parts division; provisions

Georgia currently regulates used motor vehicle dealers and used motor vehicle parts dealers through a single State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers, but the board is split into two internal divisions, a used car division and a used parts division, that handle licensing and discipline separately. HB 630 removes both divisions and gives all of their powers, such as issuing licenses, investigating complaints, and imposing fines, directly to the full board. The bill also changes who sits on the board. It increases the number of at-large public members from one to three and the number of used parts dealer members from two to three, while removing dedicated seats for an auto salvage pool operator, a rebuilder, and a pawnbroker. It updates licensing rules in O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8, clarifies definitions such as 'used motor vehicle dealer' and 'established place of business,' and rewrites enforcement provisions so the board, rather than a division, investigates complaints, revokes licenses, and pursues civil penalties. Members already serving as of June 30, 2025 keep serving out their current terms.

• Eliminates the used car division and the used parts division of the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers, giving their powers to the full board.
• Changes board membership by adding two more public at-large members and one more used parts dealer member while dropping separate seats for an auto salvage pool operator, a rebuilder, and a pawnbroker.
• Rewrites licensing procedures in O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8, covering training, background checks, bonding, and insurance requirements for dealers applying for a license.
• Shifts enforcement powers, such as investigating complaints, suspending or revoking licenses, and imposing fines up to $500 per violation, from the divisions to the board.
• Lets members currently serving as of June 30, 2025 finish their terms under the old structure before the new membership rules apply to future appointments.
• Sets a minimum bond of $35,000 for used car dealers and $10,000 for used parts dealers, and requires liability insurance of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.

Used car dealers, used auto parts dealers, motor vehicle auction companies, automobile insurance industry representatives, pawnbrokers who deal in vehicle titles, and the members and staff of the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers are all affected by these changes.

Dealers and parts sellers would deal with one unified board instead of two separate divisions for licensing, complaints, and discipline, which could change how quickly cases move and who decides them. The reshuffled board membership also changes which industry voices, such as salvage pool operators and rebuilders, have a guaranteed seat.

• Section 1 revises definitions in O.C.G.A. § 43-47-2, including 'established place of business' and 'used motor vehicle dealer,' and adds a definition for 'division director.'
• Section 2 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 43-47-3 to eliminate the used car and used parts divisions and change board composition, membership categories, and terms.
• Sections 3 through 5 update O.C.G.A. §§ 43-47-4 through 43-47-6 so the division director, member reimbursement, and general board powers reference the board rather than separate divisions.
• Section 7 repeals and replaces O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8 with updated rules for license applications, required bonds, insurance amounts, and biennial renewal.
• Section 8 sets a $100 fee for temporary site permit applications as established by the board.
• Section 10 rewrites O.C.G.A. § 43-47-10 so the board, rather than each division, investigates licensees and can suspend, revoke, or fine licenses for listed violations.
• Section 12 allows the board or a division to impose fines up to $500 per violation under O.C.G.A. § 43-47-14.
• Section 14 updates O.C.G.A. § 43-47-21 so civil penalties for chapter violations can be pursued by the division, the board, the Attorney General, or local prosecutors.

1. 2025-05-09Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-09Act 90
3. 2025-05-09House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-10House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-04-04House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-04-02Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-04-02Senate Taken from Table (Senate)

• Marcus Wiedower (R, HD-121)Primary sponsor
• Jason Ridley (R, HD-006)
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Lehman Franklin (R, HD-160)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2025

   165 yea, 3 nay (4 not voting, 8 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #257

2. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #429

3. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

   173 yea, 1 nay (1 not voting, 5 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #421

• used car dealers
• auto parts dealers
• occupational licensing
• consumer protection
• state regulatory boards