Georgia-2011-HB732-Introduced

To amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles generally, so as to provide that temporary plates or "drive-out tags" may be issued for trailers; to provide that temporary transporter plates issued to motor vehicles may also be issued for the temporary transport of trailers; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prestige license plates and special plates for certain persons and vehicles, so as to allow for veterans deemed partially disabled to qualify for a free license plate and annual revalidation decal; to include persons still serving in the armed services; to provide for images to disabled veterans license plates; to add veterans who served in certain wars; to provide for special license plates for veterans and service members awarded certain distinguished service medals; to provide for license plates to promote prostate cancer awareness; to provide for a special license plate to promote lung cancer awareness, research, and treatment of lung cancer; to provide for a special license plate for supporting nurses in Georgia and the nursing profession; to provide for procedures; to provide that persons issued special license plates as certified firefighters shall be exempt from paying an annual special license plate renewal fee; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles generally, is amended by revising Code Section 40-2-38.1, relating to transporter license plate, as follows:

(a) A person engaged in the business of the limited operation of a motor vehicle or trailer for any of the following purposes may obtain a transporter plate authorizing the movement of the vehicle for the specific purpose:

(1) To facilitate the delivery of new or used motor vehicles, trucks, trailers, or buses between manufacturers, distributors, dealers, sellers, or purchasers;

(2) To move a mobile office, a mobile classroom, a mobile or manufactured home, or a house trailer;

(3) To drive a motor vehicle or pull a trailer that is part of the inventory of a dealer to and from a motor vehicle or trailer trade show or exhibition or to, during, and from a parade in which the motor vehicle or trailer is used; or

(4) To drive special mobile equipment in any of the following circumstances:

(A) From the manufacturer of the equipment to a facility of a dealer; or

(B) From one facility of a dealer to another facility of a dealer.

(b) This Code section shall not be construed to require a motor vehicle or trailer dealer to obtain transporter plates in order to transport vehicles for sale or lease.

(c) A person may obtain a transporter plate by filing an application with the Department of Revenue and paying the required fee. The fee for an initial transporter plate shall be $62.00 and the fee for all additional plates shall be $12.00. An application for a transporter plate must be on a form provided by the department and must contain the information required by the department. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations consistent with this Code section.

(d) Transporter plates issued under this Code section shall be distinguishable from dealer, wholesaler, manufacturer, or distributor plates, as provided for in Code Section 40-2-38.

(e) During the year for which it is issued, a person may transfer a transporter plate from one vehicle to another so long as the vehicle is driven or pulled only for a purpose authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section. In order to obtain a transporter plate, an applicant must demonstrate to the department compliance with all applicable federal and state laws.

(f) The license plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be revoked and confiscated upon a determination after a hearing that an applicant has unlawfully used such license plates for purposes other than those expressly permitted by this Code section.

(g) If a license plate issued pursuant to this Code section is lost or stolen, the dealer, manufacturer, distributor, or other party to whom the license plate was issued must immediately report the lost or stolen plate to local law enforcement agencies. If a replacement license plate is sought, the dealer, manufacturer, distributor, or other party to whom the license plate was issued shall file a notarized affidavit with the department requesting a replacement plate. Such affidavit shall certify under penalty of perjury that the license plate has been lost or stolen and that the loss has been reported to a local law enforcement agency.

(h) This Code section shall not in any way apply to farm tractors.

(i)(1) The expiration of a license plate issued pursuant to this Code section shall be the last day of the registration period as provided in division (a)(1)(A)(ii) of Code Section 40-2-21, except that for the purposes of this subsection, the registration period shall be determined by the first letter of the legal name of the business listed on the application for registration or renewal of registration. An application for renewal of registration shall not be submitted earlier than 90 days prior to the last day of the registration period. A penalty of 25 percent of the total registration fees due shall be assessed any person registering pursuant to this Code section who, prior to the expiration of such person's registration period, fails to apply for renewal or if having applied fails to pay the required fees.

(2) A transition period shall commence on October 1, 2007, and conclude on December 31, 2007, for all existing registrations and any new registration applications presented prior to January 1, 2008. On or after January 1, 2008, new applications for registration shall be submitted and remain valid until the expiration of such registration as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(j) The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations for the implementation of this Code section."

Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prestige license plates and special plates for certain persons and vehicles, is amended by revising Code Section 40-2-70, relating to free license plates and revalidation decals for disabled veterans, as follows:

(a) Any citizen and resident of the State of Georgia who has been discharged from the armed forces under conditions other than dishonorable or who is currently serving in the armed forces, who is disabled to any degree specified and enumerated in Code Section 40-2-69, and who is the owner of a private passenger motor vehicle, but who cannot qualify under Code Section 40-2-69, shall be entitled to a special and distinctive automobile license plate. Such license plate shall be transferred to another vehicle acquired by such veteran or jointly by such veteran and his or her spouse as provided in Code Section 40-2-80. Such veteran shall be entitled to such plate regardless of whether he or she is suffering from a service connected or nonservice connected disability.

(b) Such veteran must apply for such license plate and, upon compliance with the state motor vehicle laws for licensing of motor vehicles and without payment of the regular license fee for plates as prescribed under Article 7 of this chapter, such veteran shall be issued similar license plates as prescribed in Code Section 40-2-71 for private passenger cars. There shall be no charge for the additional plate issued such veteran under this Code section. There shall be no charge for revalidation decals for such plates.

(c) If a veteran has not been certified as disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, such veteran may submit to the Department of Veterans Service such veteran's discharge papers and a certified statement from a physician, licensed under Chapter 34 of Title 43, certifying that in the opinion of such physician such veteran is disabled to a degree enumerated in Code Section 40-2-69. If the certificate from the physician indicates the qualifying disabilities which meet the standards of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the commissioner of veterans service shall submit a letter to the state revenue commissioner indicating that the veteran meets the requirements of this Code section and qualifies for a special license plate as provided in this Code section."

Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-71, relating to design of disabled veteran plates and restrictions on issuance and transfer, as follows:

(a) The commissioner is directed to furnish the license plates provided for in Code Sections 40-2-69 and 40-2-70. Such plates shall be printed in three colors: red, white, and blue. The commissioner is authorized and directed to design the license plate. Each plate shall contain, in bold characters, the name of the state, or abbreviation thereof, the year, the serial number, and either the words 'Disabled Veteran' or 'Disabled Vet.' Vet,' and an image of the International Symbol of Access which is at least one inch in height and is white on a blue background.

(b) Such license plates so issued shall be transferred to another vehicle as provided in Code Section 40-2-80.

(c) No disabled veteran shall be entitled to own or operate more than one vehicle with the free license plates provided by Code Sections 40-2-69, 40-2-70, and this Code section."

Said article is further amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-84, relating to the issuance of license plates to veterans awarded Purple Hearts, as follows:

"(a)(1) Motor vehicle or motorcycle owners who are veterans of the armed forces of the United States who have been awarded the Purple Heart citation shall be eligible to receive a special and distinctive vehicle license plate for a private passenger car, motorcycle, trailer, or truck used for personal transportation, provided that the requisite number of applications are is received by the commissioner as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section. Such license plate shall be issued in compliance with the state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles as prescribed in Article 2 of this chapter.

(2) For purposes of this Code section, the term 'veteran' shall include a member of the armed forces or reserves who is still serving on active duty after being awarded the Purple Heart citation."

Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-85.1, relating to special and distinctive license plates for veterans, as follows:

(a) For purposes of this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Military medal award' means the following medals, decorations, or other recognition of honor for military service awarded by a branch of the United States military:

(B) Bronze Star Medal;

(D) Distinguished Service Cross;

(F) Air Force Cross;

(G) Defense Distinguished Service Medal;

(H) Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal;

(I) Distinguished Service Medal;

(J) Navy Distinguished Service Medal;

(K) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal;

(L) Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal;

(M) Defense Superior Service Medal;

(N) Legion of Merit;

(O) Distinguished Flying Cross;

(P) Purple Heart; and

(2) 'Served during active military combat' means active duty service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, the Global War on Terrorism as defined by Presidential Executive Order 13289, Section 2, the war in Afghanistan, or the war in Iraq, which includes either Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.

(b)(1) Motor vehicle and trailer owners who are retired veterans of the armed forces of the United States, or who have received a military medal award, or persons who served during active military combat World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or Operation Desert Storm shall be eligible to receive special and distinctive vehicle license plates for private passenger cars, trucks, or recreational vehicles used for personal transportation. Eligibility to receive a special and distinctive vehicle license plate for persons who are no longer serving in the United States military shall be conditioned on such person having been discharged from military service under honorable conditions. Such license plates shall be issued in compliance with the state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles as prescribed in Article 2 of this chapter.

(2)(A) Motor vehicle and trailer owners who retired from active duty with the armed forces of the United States or have received a military medal award or served during active military combat shall be issued upon application for and upon compliance with the state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles a retired veteran's license plate, military medal award recipient license plate, or commemorative service license plate for service during active military combat. One such retired veteran's license plate shall be issued without the requisite registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual registration fee.

(B) Each retired member or former member of the armed forces listed in subsection (b) of this Code section shall be entitled to no more than one such free license plate at a time; provided, however, that upon payment of a manufacturing fee of $25.00, a member shall be entitled to one additional such license plate. For each additional license plate for which a $25.00 manufacturing fee is required, there shall be an additional annual registration fee of $25.00 which fee shall be collected by the county tag agent at the time of collection of other registration fees and shall be remitted to the state as provided in Code Section 40-2-34.

(b)(c) The commissioner shall design a retired veteran's license plate, a military medal award recipient license plate, and or a distinctive license plate to commemorate service by with the United States armed forces in wars during active military combat listed in subsection (a) of this Code section. The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to enforce compliance with all state license laws relating to the use and operation of private passenger cars, and trucks, and trailers before issuing these license plates in lieu of the regular Georgia license plates. The manufacturing fee for such special and distinctive license plates shall be $25.00. The commissioner is specifically authorized to promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to ensure compliance in instances where such vehicles have been transferred or sold. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, such plates shall be nontransferable.

(c)(d) The special and distinctive vehicle license plates shall be as prescribed in Article 2 of this chapter for private passenger cars, and trucks, and trailers used for personal transportation. Such plates shall contain such words or symbols, in addition to the numbers and letters prescribed by law, so as to identify distinctively the owners as retired veterans of the armed forces of the United States, or recipients of a military medal award, or persons who served during active military combat World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or Operation Desert Storm and shall additionally, for such plates manufactured after July 1, 2001, identify distinctly the owner as a veteran of one of the following branches of the armed forces: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or Coast Guard.

(d)(e) The license plate issued pursuant to this Code section shall be transferred between vehicles as provided in Code Section 40-2-80. The spouse of a deceased retired veteran of the armed forces of the United States or of a deceased person who received a military medal award or who served during active military combat World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or Operation Desert Storm shall continue to be eligible to be issued a distinctive personalized license plate as provided in this Code section for any vehicle owned by such veteran ownership of which is transferred to the surviving spouse or for any other vehicle owned by such surviving spouse either at the time of the qualifying veteran's death or acquired thereafter, so long as such person does not remarry.

(e)(f) Special license plates issued under this Code section, except as provided in subparagraph (a)(2)(A) of this Code section, shall be renewed annually with a revalidation decal as provided in Code Section 40-2-31 without payment of an additional $25.00 annual registration fee. It shall be a requirement that a county name decal shall be affixed and displayed on license plates issued under this Code section."

Said article is further amended by revising paragraph (2) of subsection (a) and by adding three new paragraphs to subsection (m) of Code Section 40-2-86, relating to special license plates promoting certain beneficial projects and supporting certain worthy agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations, to read as follows:

"(2) In accordance with Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(n) of the Constitution, the General Assembly has determined that the issuance of special license plates to support an agency or fund or a program beneficial to the people of this state that is administered by a nonprofit corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code and dedicating a portion of the funds raised from the sale of these special license plates is in the best interests of the people of this state. Any new special license plates adopted on or after July 1, 2010, that share a portion of the revenue raised with any agency, fund, nonprofit organization, or other similar entity shall allocate the revenue in accordance with the formula contained in subsection (l) of this Code section."

"(10) A special license plate to support prostate cancer related awareness and research programs. The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection notwithstanding, from the additional $35.00 special license plate fee or special license plate renewal fee charged for the issuance and renewal of prostate cancer license plates authorized under this paragraph, $13.00 shall be deposited in the general fund and $22.00 shall be disbursed to the Georgia Prostate Cancer Coalition to fund prostate cancer awareness, research, screening, and treatment related programs.

(11) A special license plate to support lung cancer related awareness and research programs. The funds raised by the sale of this special license plate shall be disbursed as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection to the Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund to fund lung cancer awareness, screening, research, and treatment related programs.

(12) A special license plate to support Georgia nurses and charitable and philanthropic efforts to support, advance, and promote the nursing profession. The funds raised by the sale of this special license plate shall be disbursed as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection to the Georgia Nurses Foundation of the Georgia Nurses Association for carrying out such programs and purposes."

Said article is further amended by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 40-2-86.1, relating to special license plates promoting certain beneficial projects and supporting certain worthy agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations, as follows:

"(d) Any Georgia resident who is the owner of a motor vehicle, except a vehicle registered under the International Registration Plan, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon the payment of a manufacturing fee of $25.00 and a special license plate fee of $35.00, in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, shall be able to apply for a special license plate listed in subsection (l) of this Code section. Revalidation decals shall be issued for special license plates in the same manner as provided for general issue license plates, with the addition of a $35.00 special license plate renewal fee, provided that special license plates issued pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (l) of this Code section shall be exempt from such special license plate renewal fee."