SB394: SB394 Motor Vehicles; operation of alternative fueled vehicles and make conforming changes; remove a fee

26 LC 39 4859 Senate Bill 394 By: Senators Parent of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th, Rahman of the 5th, Jackson of the 41st, Harrell of the 40th 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 remove a fee for the operation of2 alternative fueled vehicles and make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to3 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and7 licensing of motor vehicles, is amended in Code Section 40-2-38, relating to registration and8 licensing of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers and issua nce of manufacturer,9 manufacturer headquarters, distributor, and dealer plates, by r evising paragraph (5) of10 subsection (a) as follows:11 "(5) The commissioner shall include a distinctive logo or emblem for any manufacturer's,12 distributor's, or manufacturer headquarters' license plate to be attached to an alternative13 fueled vehicle, as such term is defined in paragraph (7) of sub section (l) of Code14 Section 40-2-86.1. Alternative fuel vehicles bearing a special license plate pursuant to15 this subsection shall be subject to the alternative fuel vehicl e fees as set forth in16 paragraph (19) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-151 at the time of initial issuance17 S. B. 394 - 1 - 26 LC 39 4859 and annually thereafter in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Display of a special18 license plate issued pursuant to this paragraph shall authorize travel by such alternative19 fueled vehicle in lanes for exclusive or preferential use desig nated pursuant to Code20 Section 32-9-4."21 SECTION 2.22 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-86.1, relating to special license plates23 promoting or supporting certain worthy agencies, funds, or nonp rofit corporations and24 qualified motor vehicles or drivers with proceeds deposited into the general fund, by revising25 paragraph (7) of subsection (l) as follows:26 "( 7 ) ( A ) A s p e c i a l l i c e n s e p l a t e t o b e i s s u e d f o r al t e r n a t i v e f ueled vehicles, which27 license plate shall be similar in design to the license plate issued to all other residents28 of this state except that the commissioner shall place a distinctive logo or emblem on29 the license plate which shall distinguish the vehicle as an alt ernative fueled vehicle30 eligible to travel in travel lanes designated for such vehicles under paragraph (4) of31 subsection (a) of Code Section 32-9-4. The words 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall be32 imprinted on such special licen se plate in lieu of the county n ame decal. The funds33 raised by the sale of this license plate shall be deposited in the general fund.34 (B) As used in this paragraph, the term:35 (i) 'Alternative fuel' means electricity, natural gas, and propane.36 (ii) 'Alternative fueled vehicle' means any vehicle fueled solely by alternative fuel as37 defined in division (i) of this subparagraph, bi-fuel, or dual fuel.38 (C) Pursuant to paragraph (19) of subsection (a) of Code Secti on 40-2-151, the39 applicant for a special license plate for any alternative fuele d vehicle shall provide40 proof that he or she has paid the registration fee prescribed therein prior to the issuance41 of any special license plate under this paragraph."42 S. B. 394 - 2 - 26 LC 39 4859 SECTION 3.43 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-151, relating to annual license fees for44 operation of vehicles, fee for permanent licensing of certain t railers, and fee for new45 passenger car with paid title ad valorem taxes, by repealing paragraph (19) of subsection (a)46 in its entirety.47 SECTION 4.48 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-151.2, relating to Transportation Trust49 Fund established, funding, and accounting, by revising subsection (b) as follows:50 "(b) Under the authority granted and subject to the conditions imposed by Article III,51 Section IX, Paragraph VI(r) of the Constitution of Georgia, for the period beginning on52 July 1, 2022, and ending on June 30, 2032, all of the money col lected pursuant to53 paragraph (19) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-151, Code Section 40-2-151.1, and54 subsection (b) of Code Section 48-13-50.3 shall be annually app ropriated to the55 Transportation Trust Fund established by this Code section and such funds shall not lapse56 as otherwise required by Article III, Section IX, Paragraph IV( c) of the Constitution of57 Georgia. Each annual appropriation shall be made through the General Appropriations Act58 and shall include all of the money collected from such sources during the most recently59 completed fiscal year."60 SECTION 5.61 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.62 S. B. 394 - 3 -