HB 1073: Special license plates; Jackson State University; establish

Georgia law allows the state to issue special license plates that support various agencies, funds, and nonprofit organizations, with the Department of Revenue's motor vehicle division handling the plates and directing proceeds to the named group. This bill adds a new entry to that list of plates by amending O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86. The new plate would honor Jackson State University, a historically Black university located in Jackson, Mississippi. Money raised from selling the plate would go to the Jackson State University National Alumni Association Inc., Metro Atlanta Chapter, rather than to the university itself. Because Georgia's constitution requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate for bills creating this kind of dedicated funding, the bill would only become law if it clears that higher threshold. If passed, it would take effect January 1, 2027.

• Adds a new paragraph to Georgia's special 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 in both the Georgia House and Senate to satisfy a state constitutional rule on dedicated funding.
• Sets the effective date as January 1, 2027 if the bill is enacted.

Georgia vehicle owners who want to purchase the new Jackson State University plate, the Georgia Department of Revenue which administers special license plates, and the Jackson State University National Alumni Association's Metro Atlanta Chapter, which would receive the sale proceeds.

Georgia drivers with ties to Jackson State University would gain another option for showing school affiliation on their vehicles, and each plate purchase would generate a small, ongoing revenue stream for the university's Atlanta-area alumni chapter rather than for the university itself.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-2-86(l) by adding paragraph (76), creating the Jackson State University special license plate and naming the Metro Atlanta Chapter of its national alumni association as the recipient of proceeds.
• Section 2 requires a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers under the Georgia Constitution's rule on laws creating dedicated funding streams.
• 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 (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2026-02-25House Withdrawn, Recommitted (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-02-10House Committee Favorably Reported (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-01-29House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
6. 2026-01-28House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Doreen Carter (D, HD-093)Patrocinador principal
• 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
• alumni fundraising