HB1073: HB1073 Special license plates; Jackson State University; establish

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86) lets the state issue special license plates that support specific agencies, funds, or nonprofit groups, with proceeds split between the state's general fund and the named organization. This bill adds a new plate to that list: one honoring Jackson State University, a historically Black university located in Mississippi. Money raised from selling the new plate would go to the Jackson State University National Alumni Association Inc., Metro Atlanta Chapter, a Georgia-based alumni group. Because it creates a new type of specialty plate, the bill needs a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to become law, as Georgia's Constitution requires for this kind of legislation. If passed, it would take effect January 1, 2027.

• Adds a new paragraph to Georgia's specialty license plate law (O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86) creating a plate honoring Jackson State University.
• Directs that proceeds from selling the plate go to the Jackson State University National Alumni Association Inc., Metro Atlanta Chapter.
• Requires the bill to pass by a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate under the Georgia Constitution's rules for this type of law.
• Sets the effective date as January 1, 2027, if the bill passes and receives the required vote.

Georgia drivers who want to purchase the new specialty plate, the Georgia Department of Revenue or tag offices that administer license plates, and the Jackson State University National Alumni Association's Metro Atlanta Chapter, which would receive the sales proceeds.

Georgia residents with ties to Jackson State University would gain a new option to display school pride on their vehicles, and each plate purchase would generate ongoing funding for the university's Metro Atlanta alumni chapter rather than only the state's general fund.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86(l) by adding paragraph (76), creating the Jackson State University special license plate.
• Section 1 specifies that sale proceeds go to the Jackson State University National Alumni Association Inc., Metro Atlanta Chapter.
• Section 2 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, per Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(n) of the Georgia Constitution, since the bill affects fund disbursement.
• Section 3 sets the effective date at January 1, 2027.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-03House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2026-02-25House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2026-02-10House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
4. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (House)
5. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
6. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Doreen Carter (D, HD-093)Primary sponsor
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Dewey McClain (D, HD-109)
• Demetrius Douglas (D, HD-078)
• Alan Powell (R, HD-033)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)

• license plates
• Jackson State University
• vehicle registration
• university alumni funding