25 LC 39 4561 House Bill 261 By: Representatives Frye of the 122 nd , Campbell of the 35 th , Draper of the 90 th , Sanchez of the 42 nd , Romman of the 97 th , 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 1 registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as to provide for annual reduction of licensing2 fees for alternative fueled vehicles; to provide for a waiver of the fee for an alternative fueled3 specialty license plate upon proof of payment of the required licensing fee; to provide for4 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and8 licensing of motor vehicles, is amended in Code Section 40-2-86.1, relating to license plates9 promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations or issued to10 qualified motor vehicles or owners with proceeds deposited in the general fund, by revising11 paragraph (7) of subsection (l) as follows:12 "(7)(A) A special license plate to be issued for alternative fueled vehicles, which13 license plate shall be similar in design to the license plate issued to all other residents14 of this state except that the commissioner shall place a distinctive logo or emblem on15 the license plate which shall distinguish the vehicle as an alternative fueled vehicle16 H. B. 261 - 1 - 25 LC 39 4561 eligible to travel in travel lanes designated for such vehicles under paragraph (4) of 17 subsection (a) of Code Section 32-9-4. The words 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall be18 imprinted on such special license plate in lieu of the county name decal. The funds 19 raised by the sale of this license plate shall be deposited in the general fund.20 (B) As used in this paragraph, the term:21 (i) 'Alternative fuel' means electricity, natural gas, and propane.22 (ii) 'Alternative fueled vehicle' means any vehicle fueled solely by alternative fuel as23 defined in division (i) of this subparagraph, bi-fuel, or dual fuel.24 (C) Pursuant to paragraph (19) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-2-151, the25 applicant for a special license plate for any alternative fueled vehicle shall provide26 proof that he or she has paid the registration fee prescribed therein prior to the issuance27 of any special license plate under this paragraph. Upon showing proof of such28 payment, any fees associated with the issuance, manufacture, and renewal of such29 special license plate shall be waived."30 SECTION 2.31 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 40-2-151, relating to annual license fees for32 operation of vehicles, fee for permanent licensing of certain trailers, and fee for new33 passenger car with paid title ad valorem taxes, by revising paragraph (19) of subsection (a)34 as follows:35 "(19)(A)(i) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle not operated36 for commercial purposes.......................................37 200.00 (ii) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle operated for 38 commercial purposes.........................................39 300.00 (iii) Upon registration of an alternative fueled vehicle that is a low-speed 40 vehicle.....................................................41 100.00 H. B. 261 - 2 - 25 LC 39 4561 (B)(i) As used in this paragraph, the term 'alternative fueled vehicle' shall 42 have the same meaning as in division (l)(7)(B)(ii) of Code Section 40-2-86.1;43 provided, however, that the fees in this paragraph shall not be assessed on44 vehicles which operate primarily on compressed natural gas, liquefied45 natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas.46 (ii) The fees in this paragraph shall be in addition to any other fee imposed47 on the vehicle by this Code section.48 (iii) The fees in this paragraph shall be automatically adjusted on an annual49 basis by multiplying the percentage of increase or decrease in fuel efficiency 50 from the previous year as measured by using the average of combined miles51 per gallon published in the United States Department of Energy Fuel52 Economy Guide against the current fee, and the resulting increase or53 decrease shall be added or subtracted from the fee. This preliminary fee54 adjustment shall then be multiplied by the increase or decrease in the55 Consumer Price Index percentage for the applicable year, and the result will56 be added or subtracted from the preliminary fee to produce the fee for the57 year reducing the fee by 5 percent annually until such fee equals zero. The58 first adjustment shall be calculated and implemented on July 1, 2016 2026."59 SECTION 3.60 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.61 H. B. 261 - 3 -