25 LC 39 4675S
House Bill 551 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Ridley of the 6
th
, Corbett of the 174
th
, Jasperse of the 11
th
, Mathis of the
133
rd
, and Jones of the 25
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and
1
traffic, so as to provide for conditions, procedures, and limitations for issuance of temporary2
operating permits for motor vehicles; to revise provisions relative to the operation of an3
unregistered motor vehicle or vehicle without a current license plate, revalidation decal,4
county decal, or temporary operating permit; to authorize the development and maintenance5
by third parties of an electronic temporary operating permit issuance system for issuance of6
temporary operating permits; to provide for utilization of such system by dealers for issuance7
of temporary operating permits; to provide for the suspension of access to such system by8
the department for certain violations; to authorize access to certain information with the State9
Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers10
for certain purposes; to revise a definition; to provide for notice and hearings; to amend Code11
Section 43-47-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative12
to used motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts dealers, so as to revise the definition of13
established place of business; to amend Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of14
Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad valorem tax on motor vehicles, so as to provide15
for enhanced penalty for an owner of a passive entity that fails to pay alternative ad valorem16
tax; to provide for a definition; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters;17
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.18
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
19
SECTION 1.20
Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, is21
amended by revising Code Section 40-2-8, relating to operation of unregistered vehicle or22
vehicle without current license plate, revalidation decal, or county decal and temporary23
operating permit issued by dealers of new or used motor vehicles, as follows:24
"40-2-8.25
(a) No person shall own, rent, lease, or operate any vehicle required to be registered
26
pursuant to Code Section 40-2-20 upon a highway in this state without registering such27
vehicle. Any person who becomes a resident of this state shall register his or her vehicle28
within 30 days of becoming a resident. Each day that a vehicle is in violation of this Code29
section shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense. Any person convicted of such30
offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of $100.00 for each31
violation. Any person owning or operating any vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-2032
on any public highway or street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty33
of a misdemeanor, provided that a person shall register his or her motor vehicle within 3034
days after becoming a resident of this state. Any person renting, leasing, or loaning any35
vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-20 which is being used on any public highway or36
street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon37
conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $100.00 for each violation; and each day38
that such vehicle is operated in violation of Code Section 40-2-20 shall be deemed to be39
a separate and distinct offense.40
(b)(1) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle41
required to be registered in this state pursuant to Code Section 40-2-20 without a valid42
numbered license plate properly validated with a current revalidation decal, unless such43
operation is otherwise permitted under this chapter; and provided, further, that the44
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purchaser of a new vehicle or a used vehicle from a dealer of new or used motor vehicles
45
who displays a temporary operating permit issued as provided by paragraph (2) of this
46
subsection Code Section 40-2-8.1 may operate such vehicle on the public highways and47
streets of this state without a current valid license plate during the period within which48
the purchaser is required by Code Section authorized by Code Sections 40-2-8.149
and 40-2-20. An owner acquiring a motor vehicle from an entity that is not a new or used50
vehicle dealer shall register such vehicle as provided for in Code Section 40-2-29 unless51
such vehicle is to be registered under the International Registration Plan pursuant to52
Article 3A of this chapter.53
(2)(A) Any dealer of new or used motor vehicles shall issue to the purchaser of a54
vehicle at the time of sale thereof, unless such vehicle is to be registered under the55
International Registration Plan, a temporary operating permit as provided for by56
department rules or regulations which may bear the dealer's name and location and shall57
bear an expiration date 45 days from the date of purchase. The expiration date of such58
a temporary operating permit may be revised and extended by the county tag agent59
upon application by the dealer, the purchaser, or the transferee if an extension of the60
purchaser's initial registration period has been granted as provided by Code61
Section 40-2-20. Such temporary operating permit shall not resemble a license plate62
issued by this state and shall be issued without charge or fee. The requirements of this63
paragraph shall not apply to a dealer whose primary business is the sale of salvage64
motor vehicles and other vehicles on which total loss claims have been paid by insurers.65
(B) All temporary operating permits issued by dealers to purchasers of vehicles shall66
be of a standard design prescribed by regulation promulgated by the department. The67
department may provide by rule or regulation for the sale and distribution of such68
temporary operating permits by third parties in accordance with paragraph (3) of this69
subsection.70
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(3) All sellers and distributors of temporary operating permits shall maintain an71
inventory record of temporary operating permits by number and name of the dealer.72
(4)(2) The purchaser and operator of a vehicle shall not be subject to the penalties set73
forth in this Code section during the period allowed for the registration of such vehicle. 74
If the owner of such vehicle presents evidence that such owner has properly applied for75
the registration of such vehicle, but that the license plate or revalidation decal has not76
been delivered to such owner, then the owner shall not be subject to the penalties77
enumerated in this subsection.78
(c) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle79
required to be registered in the State of Georgia this state without a valid county decal80
designating the county where the vehicle was last registered, unless such operation is81
otherwise permitted under this chapter. Any person convicted of such offense shall be82
punished by a fine of $25.00 for a first offense and $100.00 for a second or subsequent83
such offense. However, a A county name decal shall not be required if there is no space84
provided for a county name decal on the current license plate. Any person convicted of a85
violation of this subsection shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $25.00 if that person86
shows to the court having jurisdiction of the offense that the proper revalidation decal had87
been obtained prior to the time of the offense.88
(d) No violation of this Code section shall have occurred upon presentation of evidence89
that the owner had properly applied for the registration of such vehicle, but that the license90
plate or revalidation decal had not been delivered to such owner at the time the uniform91
traffic citation was issued.92
(e) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to93
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."94
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SECTION 2.
95
Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-8.1, relating to operation of96
vehicle without revalidation decal on license plate, as follows:97
"40-2-8.1.98
Notwithstanding Code Section 40-2-8 or any other provision of law, a person who operates
99
a vehicle which is required to be registered in this state and which has attached to the rear100
thereof a valid numbered license plate without having the required revalidation decal101
affixed upon that plate, which person is otherwise guilty of a misdemeanor for not having102
such decal affixed to the plate, shall be subject for that offense only to a fine not to exceed103
$25.00 if that person shows to the court having jurisdiction of the offense that the proper104
revalidation decal had been obtained prior to the time of the offense.105
(a) Any dealer of new or used motor vehicles other than a motor vehicle broker, as such106
term is defined in Code Section 43-47-2, shall issue a temporary operating permit without107
charge or fee to the purchaser of a vehicle at the time of sale thereof, unless such vehicle108
is to be registered under the International Registration Plan or such dealer is one whose109
primary business is the sale of salvage motor vehicles and other vehicles on which total110
loss claims have been paid by insurers. Such temporary operating permit shall be of a111
standard design prescribed the department; provided, however, that such permit shall not112
resemble a license plate issued by this state. A temporary operating permit may bear the113
name of the dealer and location and shall include an expiration date which shall be 45 days114
from the date of purchase. The expiration date of a temporary operating permit may be115
revised and extended by the county tag agent upon application by the dealer, purchaser, or116
transferee if an extension of the purchaser's initial registration period has been granted as117
provided by Code Section 40-2-20.118
(b)(1) The department may provide by rule or regulation for the sale and distribution of119
temporary operating permits to dealers by third parties through the development and120
maintenance of an electronic temporary operating permit issuance system and establish121
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standards for distribution and issuance of such permits. The department may further122
provide by rule or regulation for standards for authorized access to an electronic123
temporary operating permit issuance system, which may include, but shall not be limited124
to, required criminal background checks for any user of the system. Any third party125
authorized to sell and distribute temporary operating permits shall maintain an inventory126
record of such permits by number and name of the dealer.127
(2)(A) The department shall be authorized to suspend access to the electronic128
temporary operating permit issuance system established pursuant to this Code section129
for any dealer found to have issued temporary operating permits for a vehicle which has130
not been sold or intended to be registered or otherwise violated requirements for131
issuance of such permits established by rule or regulation of the department after132
issuance of notice of such violation by electronic means and opportunity for informal133
review as set forth in this subparagraph. Any dealer who has received notice pursuant134
to this subsection of an alleged violation and for whom the department intends to135
suspend access to the electronic temporary operating permit issuance system may136
request an informal review of the allegations with the department. The method for137
making such request shall be developed by the department and may be by electronic138
means. Upon receipt of such request for informal review, the department shall, within139
ten business days, schedule an informal conference with such dealer to review the140
suspected violations. Proceedings under this subparagraph shall not be governed by141
any formal procedural requirements and may be conducted in such manner as the142
department may establish by rule or regulation. The department shall consider the143
historical use of the electronic temporary operating permit issuance system by the144
dealer under consideration for access suspension, together with other pertinent145
information which may be available, and shall render a decision regarding access to the146
electronic temporary operating permit issuance system within seven business days of147
the informal conference. Upon a finding that such dealer violated the requirements of148
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this Code section or rules and regulations of the department, the department shall be149
authorized to impose fines or fees as provided by law. The department shall not be150
authorized to suspend access to the temporary operating permit system unless the151
department finds a dealer to be substantially out of compliance with the requirements152
of this Code section or the rules and regulations of the department and such dealer has153
failed to produce satisfactory evidence of extenuating circumstances to justify such154
noncompliance.155
(B) If the department suspends a dealer's access to the electronic temporary operating156
permit issuance system established pursuant to this Code section after an informal157
review held pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the suspended dealer shall158
have the right to a formal hearing to review the suspension pursuant to Code159
Section 40-3-6. Such hearing shall be held within 30 days of the department's decision160
to suspend the dealer's access to the electronic temporary operating permit issuance161
system and shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia162
Administrative Procedure Act.' At such hearing, the department may present evidence163
of any instances in which the suspended dealer unlawfully issued temporary operating164
permits or issued fraudulent temporary operating permits. Upon a finding that the165
suspended dealer is in compliance with the requirements of this Code section and has166
issued temporary operating permits predominantly for bona fide motor vehicle sales,167
the department shall provide for the immediate restoration of access to the electronic168
temporary operating permit issuance system for such dealer but shall be authorized to169
impose fines or fees as provided by law for failure to comply with the requirements of170
this chapter. Upon a finding that the suspended dealer violated the requirements of this171
Code section or rules and regulations of the department, the department shall be172
authorized to extend the term of suspension for a period of up to 24 months. Upon a173
finding that a dealer has unlawfully issued temporary operating permits in violation of174
this chapter or rules and regulations of the department, the department shall further be175
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authorized to issue a civil monetary penalty in an amount no greater than $100.00 per176
violation, suspend or revoke the registration issued to a dealer pursuant to Code Section177
40-2-39, and suspend, confiscate, or limit issuance of any dealer plates issued pursuant178
to Code Section 40-2-38 for a period of up to 24 months. The department shall comply179
with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,' in relation to180
the expedited review provided for in this subparagraph and the suspended dealer shall181
have the right to appeal any decision of the department in accordance with such chapter.182
(c) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to183
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."184
SECTION 3.185
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-33, relating to issuance of license plates186
and decals, transfer of registration to a digital license plate, compensation of tag agents, and187
required identification, by revising paragraph (3) of subsection (a) as follows: 188
"(3) At the time of initial application for registration or at any time during the registration189
period, a vehicle owner may file with the county tag agent, on a form or electronic form190
prescribed by the commissioner, a request to have a vehicle license plate duplicated on191
a digital license plate purchased from a digital license plate provider. Such request to the192
county tag agent shall include all applicable registration fees. Upon approving the193
application provided in this paragraph, the commissioner or county tag agent shall furnish194
the digital license plate provider with the appropriate licensing information to be195
displayed upon the digital license plate. In accordance with Code Section 40-2-8196
40-2-8.1, a 45 day temporary operating permit shall be issued by the commissioner or197
county tag agent to an applicant for a digital license plate until such license plate is198
received by the applicant."199
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SECTION 4.
200
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-38, relating to registration and licensing201
of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers and issuance of manufacturer, manufacturer202
headquarters, distributor, and dealer plates, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and203
subsections (c) through (f) as follows:204
"(a)(1) Manufacturers, manufacturer headquarters,
distributors, and dealers other than205
a motor vehicle broker, as such term is defined in Code Section 43-47-2, engaged in the206
manufacture, sale, or leasing of vehicles required to be registered under Code Section207
40-2-20 shall register by electronic means with the commissioner, making application for208
a distinguishing dealer's number, specifying the name and make of motor vehicle, tractor,209
or trailer manufactured, sold, or leased by them number, upon forms prepared by the210
commissioner for such purposes, and pay therefor a fee of $62.00, which shall211
accompany such application. Upon payment of such fee by a dealer an applicant, the212
commissioner shall furnish to the dealer one master number plate to expire each year in213
accordance with subsection (f) of this Code section, to be known as a dealer's number and214
to based upon the type of master number plate issued. Each additional plate issued215
pursuant to this Code section shall require payment of a $12.00 fee. Each master number216
plate and any additional plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be distinguished217
from the number license plates provided for in this chapter by different and distinguishing218
colors to be determined by the commissioner. The dealer plate for a franchise motor219
vehicle dealer shall be distinguishable from the dealer plate for a used car dealer and from220
the dealer plate for a motor vehicle wholesaler. Except as otherwise authorized by this221
Code section, a dealer's master number plate or additional plates issued pursuant to this222
Code section shall be A dealer's number plate is for the purpose of demonstrating or223
transporting the dealer's vehicles or trailers for sale or lease. Persons engaged in the224
business of transporting vehicles for a dealer under a vehicle's own power shall be225
permitted to use such dealer's plate for the purpose of transporting a vehicle."226
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"(c) This Code section shall not apply in any manner to mopeds.227
(d)(c) The license plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be revoked and228
confiscated upon a determination after a hearing that such dealer, distributor, manufacturer,229
or manufacturer headquarters has unlawfully used such license plates in violation of this230
Code section.231
(e)(d) If a license plate issued pursuant to this Code section is lost or stolen, the dealer,232
manufacturer, distributor, manufacturer headquarters, or other party to whom the license233
plate was issued must shall immediately report the lost or stolen plate to local law234
enforcement agencies. If a replacement license plate is sought, the dealer, manufacturer,235
distributor, manufacturer headquarters, or other party to whom the license plate was issued236
shall file a notarized affidavit with the department requesting a replacement plate. Such237
affidavit shall certify under penalty of perjury that the license plate has been lost or stolen238
and that the loss has been reported to a local law enforcement agency.239
(f)(1)(e) Except as otherwise provided for in this Code section, the The expiration of a240
license plate issued pursuant to this Code section shall be the last day of the registration241
period as provided in division (a)(1)(A)(ii) of Code Section 40-2-21, except that for the242
purposes of this subsection, the registration period shall be determined by the first letter of243
the legal name of the business listed on the application for registration or renewal of244
registration. An application for renewal of registration shall not be submitted earlier than245
90 days prior to the last day of the registration period. A penalty of 25 percent of the total246
registration fees due shall be assessed any person registering pursuant to this Code section247
who, prior to the expiration of such person's registration period, fails to apply for renewal248
or if having applied fails to pay the required fees.249
(2) A transition period shall commence on October 1, 2007, and conclude on December250
31, 2007, for all existing registrations and any new registration applications presented251
prior to January 1, 2008. On or after January 1, 2008, new applications for registration252
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shall be submitted and remain valid until the expiration of such registration as specified253
in paragraph (1) of this subsection."254
SECTION 5.255
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-130, relating to records of certificates of256
registration, by revising subsection (c) as follows:257
"(c) The motor vehicle registration records which the commissioner is required to maintain258
under this Code section or any other provision are exempt from the provisions of any law259
of this state requiring that such records be open for public inspection; provided, however,260
that, subject to subsection (d) of this Code section, the records may be disclosed for use as261
provided in the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 123, and262
by the following:263
(1) Any licensed dealer of new or used motor vehicles;264
(2) Any tax collector, tax receiver, or tax commissioner;265
(3) The director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural266
Resources or his or her designee;267
(4) Any private person who has met the requirements of Code Section 40-2-25, provided268
that the information shall be used for the sole purpose of effectuating the registration or269
renewal of motor vehicles by electronic or similar means and that the private person270
requesting the information has entered into an agreement to provide electronic services271
to the commissioner or a county tag agent; provided, further, that the information made272
available pursuant to this paragraph for such purpose shall be limited to the vehicle273
identification number, the license tag number, the date of expiration of registration, and274
the amount of tax owed; and275
(5) A person or entity authorized by the commissioner for use in providing notice to the276
owners of towed or impounded vehicles; and277
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(6) The board established pursuant to Chapter 47 of Title 43 for use in carrying out its278
functions."279
SECTION 6.280
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-3-23, relating to issuance of certificate of281
title, maintenance of record of certificates issued, public inspection, furnishing records for282
fee, and electronic format, by revising subsection (d) as follows:283
"(d) The motor vehicle records which the commissioner or the commissioner's duly284
authorized county tag agent is required to maintain under this Code section or any other285
provision are exempt from the provisions of any law of this state requiring that such286
records be open for public inspection; provided, however, that, subject to subsection (f) of287
this Code section, the records may be disclosed for use as provided in the federal Driver's288
Privacy Protection Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 123, and by the following:289
(1) Any licensed dealer of new or used motor vehicles;290
(2) Any tax collector, tax receiver, or tax commissioner; and291
(3) A person or entity authorized by the commissioner for use in providing notice to the292
owners of towed or impounded vehicles; and293
(4) The board established pursuant to Chapter 47 of Title 43 for carrying out its294
functions."295
SECTION 7.296
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-3-33, relating to transfer of vehicle to or297
from dealer, records to be kept by dealers, electronic filing, and application for title where298
dealer located, by revising subsections (a) and (b) and by adding new subsections to read as299
follows:300
"(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a dealer who buys a301
vehicle and holds it for resale need not apply to the commissioner for a new certificate302
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of title but may retain the delivered certificate delivered to him. Upon transferring the303
vehicle to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, such dealer304
shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer. Such assignment305
and warranty shall show the names and addresses of the transferee and any holder of a306
security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of his the307
security agreement, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the308
commissioner prescribes. Transfers of vehicles under this Code section shall otherwise309
conform with Code Section 40-3-32. A dealer selling a previously registered vehicle for310
which under this chapter need not have a certificate of title is not required under this311
chapter need not furnish a purchaser of such a vehicle a certificate of title. After a312
previously registered vehicle has been brought under the terms of this chapter, a dealer,313
when selling that vehicle, shall conform to all provisions of this chapter.314
(2)(A) As used in this paragraph, the term 'franchise dealer' means a dealer who under315
a contract or franchise agreement with a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, or316
importer is authorized to sell new motor vehicles of or for such manufacturer,317
distributor, wholesaler, or importer and who is authorized to use trademarks or service318
marks associated with one or more makes of motor vehicles in connection with such319
sales.320
(B) A dealer who is not a franchise dealer who acquires a vehicle for which the original321
certificate of title has not been issued and who holds such vehicle for resale shall not322
be exempt from the requirement to obtain a certificate of title in such dealer's name as323
provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection. Such dealer shall, as provided in Code324
Section 40-3-32, obtain a certificate of title in such dealer's name prior to selling or325
otherwise transferring said vehicle to any other person or dealer.326
(b) Every dealer shall maintain a record, in the form the commissioner prescribes, of every327
vehicle bought, sold, or exchanged by him, or received by him for sale or exchange. Such328
record shall be kept for three years and shall be open to inspection by a representative of329
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the commissioner during reasonable business hours. The information contained in records330
maintained by a dealer pursuant to this subsection shall be an accurate representation of the331
transaction, and no alternative versions of records shall be produced for a purchaser with332
information which differs from that contained in records maintained for inspection by the333
department."334
"(f) The department shall be authorized to assess a civil penalty against a dealer of up to335
$500.00 for each sales transaction conducted in violation of subsection (b) of this Code336
section.337
(g) The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to338
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."339
SECTION 8.340
Code Section 43-47-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions341
relative to used motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts dealers, is amended by revising342
paragraph (3) as follows:343
"(3) 'Established place of business' means a salesroom or sales office in a building or on344
an open lot of a retail used car dealership or at which a permanent business of bartering,345
trading, offering, displaying, selling, buying, dismantling, or rebuilding wrecked or used346
motor vehicles or parts is carried on, or the place at which the books, records, and files347
necessary to conduct such business are kept. Each such place of business shall be at least348
250 square feet, furnished with a working telephone listed in the name of the licensee for349
use in conducting the business, and shall be marked by an appropriate permanent sign as350
prescribed by the appropriate division under this chapter."351
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SECTION 9.
352
Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad353
valorem tax on motor vehicles, is amended by adding a new paragraph to subsection (a), by354
revising paragraph (9) of subsection (d), and by adding a new subsection to read as follows:355
"(3.1) 'Passive entity' means a person, other than an individual, formed under the laws
356
of another state that does not have an established place of business in this state, owns no357
real property, and conducts no trade or business other than the holding of assets for358
investment and income."359
"(9)(A) Any owner of any motor vehicle who fails to submit within 30 days of the date360
such owner is required by law to register such vehicle in this state an application for a361
first certificate of title under Code Section 40-3-21 or a certificate of title under Code362
Section 40-3-32 shall be required to pay a penalty in the amount of 10 percent of the363
state title ad valorem tax fees and 10 percent of the local title ad valorem tax fees364
required under this Code section and, if such state and local title ad valorem tax fees365
and the penalty are not paid within 60 days following the date such owner is required366
by law to register such vehicle, interest at the rate of 1 percent per month shall be367
imposed on the state and local title ad valorem tax fees due under this Code section,368
unless a temporary permit has been issued by the tax commissioner. The tax369
commissioner shall grant a temporary permit in the event the failure to timely apply for370
a first certificate of title is due to the failure of a lienholder to comply with Code371
Section 40-3-56, regarding release of a security interest or lien, and no penalty or372
interest shall be assessed. Such penalty and interest shall be in addition to the penalty373
and fee required under Code Section 40-3-21 or 40-3-32, as applicable.374
(B) The penalties provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be double375
for any resident of this state who owns at least 50 percent of a passive entity that owns376
a motor vehicle that fails to submit within 60 days of the date such owner is required377
by law to register such vehicle in this state an application for a first certificate of title378
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under Code Section 40-3-21 or a certificate of title under Code Section 40-3-32 and379
register such vehicle."380
"(h) The commissioner shall be authorized in his or her sole discretion to share information381
obtained for purposes of this Code section with the board established pursuant to382
Chapter 47 of Title 43. Any confidential information furnished pursuant to this Code383
section shall retain its character as confidential. Any person who divulges confidential384
information obtained pursuant to this Code section shall be subject to the same penalties385
as those provided for divulgence of information by employees of the department."386
SECTION 10.387
This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2026.388
SECTION 11.389
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.390
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