Georgia CommonsHB 261: Motor vehicles; annual reduction of licensing fees for alternative fueled vehicles; provide
Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 6, 2025 · Introduced
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Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
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 to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as to provide for annual reduction of licensing fees for alternative fueled vehicles; to provide for a waiver of the fee for an alternative fueled specialty license plate upon proof of payment of the required licensing fee; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, is amended in Code Section 40-2-86.1, relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations or issued to qualified motor vehicles or owners with proceeds deposited in the general fund, by revising paragraph (7) of subsection (l) as follows:
"(7)(A) A special license plate to be issued for alternative fueled vehicles, which license plate shall be similar in design to the license plate issued to all other residents of this state except that the commissioner shall place a distinctive logo or emblem on the license plate which shall distinguish the vehicle as an alternative fueled vehicle eligible to travel in travel lanes designated for such vehicles under paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Code Section 32-9-4. The words 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall be imprinted on such special license plate in lieu of the county name decal. The funds raised by the sale of this license plate shall be deposited in the general fund.
(B) As used in this paragraph, the term:
(i) 'Alternative fuel' means electricity, natural gas, and propane.
(ii) 'Alternative fueled vehicle' means any vehicle fueled solely by alternative fuel as defined in division (i) of this subparagraph, bi-fuel, or dual fuel.
(C) Pursuant to paragraph (19) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-151, the applicant for a special license plate for any alternative fueled vehicle shall provide proof that he or she has paid the registration fee prescribed therein prior to the issuance of any special license plate under this paragraph. Upon showing proof of such payment, any fees associated with the issuance, manufacture, and renewal of such special license plate shall be waived."
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-151, relating to annual license fees for operation of vehicles, fee for permanent licensing of certain trailers, and fee for new passenger car with paid title ad valorem taxes, by revising paragraph (19) of subsection (a) as follows:
"(19)(A)(i) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle not operated for commercial purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200.00
(ii) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle operated for commercial purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300.00
(iii) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle that is a low-speed vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 (B)(i) As used in this paragraph, the term 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall have the same meaning as in division (l)(7)(B)(ii) of Code Section 40-2-86.1; provided, however, that the fees in this paragraph shall not be assessed on vehicles which operate primarily on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas.
(ii) The fees in this paragraph shall be in addition to any other fee imposed on the vehicle by this Code section.
(iii) The fees in this paragraph shall be automatically adjusted on an annual basis by multiplying the percentage of increase or decrease in fuel efficiency from the previous year as measured by using the average of combined miles per gallon published in the United States Department of Energy Fuel Economy Guide against the current fee, and the resulting increase or decrease shall be added or subtracted from the fee. This preliminary fee adjustment shall then be multiplied by the increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index percentage for the applicable year, and the result will be added or subtracted from the preliminary fee to produce the fee for the year reducing the fee by 5 percent annually until such fee equals zero. The first adjustment shall be calculated and implemented on July 1, 2016 2026."
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.