25 LC 39 4771S
The Senate Committee on Transportation offered the following
substitute to HB 551:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and1
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
- 1 - 25 LC 39 4771S
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 registered26
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. Any person who fails to comply with this29
subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of $100.00 for each day30
in which the vehicle is in violation. Any person owning or operating any vehicle described31
in Code Section 40-2-20 on any public highway or street without complying with that Code32
section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, provided that a person shall register his or her33
motor vehicle within 30 days after becoming a resident of this state. Any person renting,34
leasing, or loaning any vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-20 which is being used on35
any public highway or street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty of36
a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $100.00 for37
each violation; and each day that such vehicle is operated in violation of Code Section38
40-2-20 shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.39
(b)(1) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle40
required to be registered in this state pursuant to Code Section 40-2-20 without a valid41
numbered license plate properly validated with a current revalidation decal, unless such42
operation is otherwise permitted under this chapter; and provided, further, that the43
purchaser of a new vehicle or a used vehicle from a dealer of new or used motor vehicles44
- 2 - 25 LC 39 4771S
who displays a temporary operating permit issued as provided by paragraph (2) of this45
subsection Code Section 40-2-8.1 may operate such vehicle on the public highways and46
streets of this state without a current valid license plate during the period within which47
the purchaser is required by Code Section authorized by Code Sections 40-2-8.148
and 40-2-20. An owner acquiring a motor vehicle from an entity that is not a new or used49
vehicle dealer shall register such vehicle as provided for in Code Section 40-2-29 unless50
such vehicle is to be registered under the International Registration Plan pursuant to51
Article 3A of this chapter.52
(2)(A) Any dealer of new or used motor vehicles shall issue to the purchaser of a53
vehicle at the time of sale thereof, unless such vehicle is to be registered under the54
International Registration Plan, a temporary operating permit as provided for by55
department rules or regulations which may bear the dealer's name and location and shall56
bear an expiration date 45 days from the date of purchase. The expiration date of such57
a temporary operating permit may be revised and extended by the county tag agent58
upon application by the dealer, the purchaser, or the transferee if an extension of the59
purchaser's initial registration period has been granted as provided by Code60
Section 40-2-20. Such temporary operating permit shall not resemble a license plate61
issued by this state and shall be issued without charge or fee. The requirements of this62
paragraph shall not apply to a dealer whose primary business is the sale of salvage63
motor vehicles and other vehicles on which total loss claims have been paid by insurers.64
(B) All temporary operating permits issued by dealers to purchasers of vehicles shall65
be of a standard design prescribed by regulation promulgated by the department. The66
department may provide by rule or regulation for the sale and distribution of such67
temporary operating permits by third parties in accordance with paragraph (3) of this68
subsection.69
(3) All sellers and distributors of temporary operating permits shall maintain an70
inventory record of temporary operating permits by number and name of the dealer.71
- 3 - 25 LC 39 4771S
(4)(2) The purchaser and operator of a vehicle shall not be subject to the penalties set72
forth in this Code section during the period allowed for the registration of such vehicle. 73
If the owner of such vehicle presents evidence that such owner has properly applied for74
the registration of such vehicle, but that the license plate or revalidation decal has not75
been delivered to such owner, then the owner shall not be subject to the penalties76
enumerated in this subsection.77
(c) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle78
required to be registered in the State of Georgia this state without a valid county decal79
designating the county where the vehicle was last registered, unless such operation is80
otherwise permitted under this chapter. Any person convicted of such offense shall be81
punished by a fine of $25.00 for a first offense and $100.00 for a second or subsequent82
such offense. However, a A county name decal shall not be required if there is no space83
provided for a county name decal on the current license plate. Any person convicted of a84
violation of this subsection shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $25.00 if that person85
shows to the court having jurisdiction of the offense that the proper revalidation decal had86
been obtained prior to the time of the offense.87
(d) No violation of this Code section shall have occurred upon presentation of evidence88
that the owner had properly applied for the registration of such vehicle, but that the license89
plate or revalidation decal had not been delivered to such owner at the time the uniform90
traffic citation was issued.91
(e) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to92
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."93
SECTION 2.94
Said title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-2-8.1, relating to operation of95
vehicle without revalidation decal on license plate, as follows:96
- 4 - 25 LC 39 4771S
"40-2-8.1.97
Notwithstanding Code Section 40-2-8 or any other provision of law, a person who operates98
a vehicle which is required to be registered in this state and which has attached to the rear99
thereof a valid numbered license plate without having the required revalidation decal100
affixed upon that plate, which person is otherwise guilty of a misdemeanor for not having101
such decal affixed to the plate, shall be subject for that offense only to a fine not to exceed102
$25.00 if that person shows to the court having jurisdiction of the offense that the proper103
revalidation decal had been obtained prior to the time of the offense.104
(a) Any dealer of new or used motor vehicles other than a motor vehicle broker, as such105
term is defined in Code Section 43-47-2, shall issue a temporary operating permit without106
charge or fee to the purchaser of a vehicle at the time of sale thereof, unless such vehicle107
is to be registered under the International Registration Plan or such dealer is one whose108
primary business is the sale of salvage motor vehicles and other vehicles on which total109
loss claims have been paid by insurers. Such temporary operating permit shall be of a110
standard design prescribed the department; provided, however, that such permit shall not111
resemble a license plate issued by this state. A temporary operating permit may bear the112
name of the dealer and location and shall include an expiration date which shall be 45 days113
from the date of purchase. The expiration date of a temporary operating permit may be114
revised and extended by the county tag agent upon application by the dealer, purchaser, or115
transferee if an extension of the purchaser's initial registration period has been granted as116
provided by Code Section 40-2-20.117
(b)(1) The department may provide by rule or regulation for the sale and distribution of118
temporary operating permits to dealers by third parties through the development and119
maintenance of an electronic temporary operating permit issuance system and establish120
standards for distribution and issuance of such permits. The department may further121
provide by rule or regulation for standards for authorized access to an electronic122
temporary operating permit issuance system, which may include, but shall not be limited123
- 5 - 25 LC 39 4771S
to, required criminal background checks for any user of the system. Any third party124
authorized to sell and distribute temporary operating permits shall maintain an inventory125
record of such permits by number and name of the dealer.126
(2)(A) The department shall be authorized to suspend access to the electronic127
temporary operating permit issuance system established pursuant to this Code section128
for any dealer found to have issued temporary operating permits for a vehicle which has129
not been sold or intended to be registered or otherwise violated requirements for130
issuance of such permits established by rule or regulation of the department after131
issuance of notice of such violation by electronic means and opportunity for informal132
review as set forth in this subparagraph. Any dealer who has received notice pursuant133
to this subsection of an alleged violation and for whom the department intends to134
suspend access to the electronic temporary operating permit issuance system may135
request an informal review of the allegations with the department. The method for136
making such request shall be developed by the department and may be by electronic137
means. Upon receipt of such request for informal review, the department shall, within138
ten business days, schedule an informal conference with such dealer to review the139
suspected violations. Proceedings under this subparagraph shall not be governed by140
any formal procedural requirements and may be conducted in such manner as the141
department may establish by rule or regulation. The department shall consider the142
historical use of the electronic temporary operating permit issuance system by the143
dealer under consideration for access suspension, together with other pertinent144
information which may be available, and shall render a decision regarding access to the145
electronic temporary operating permit issuance system within seven business days of146
the informal conference. Upon a finding that such dealer violated the requirements of147
this Code section or rules and regulations of the department, the department shall be148
authorized to impose fines or fees as provided by law. The department shall not be149
authorized to suspend access to the temporary operating permit system unless the150
- 6 - 25 LC 39 4771S
department finds a dealer to be substantially out of compliance with the requirements151
of this Code section or the rules and regulations of the department and such dealer has152
failed to produce satisfactory evidence of extenuating circumstances to justify such153
noncompliance.154
(B) If the department suspends a dealer's access to the electronic temporary operating155
permit issuance system established pursuant to this Code section after an informal156
review held pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the suspended dealer shall157
have the right to a formal hearing to review the suspension pursuant to Code158
Section 40-3-6. Such hearing shall be held within 30 days of the department's decision159
to suspend the dealer's access to the electronic temporary operating permit issuance160
system and shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia161
Administrative Procedure Act.' At such hearing, the department may present evidence162
of any instances in which the suspended dealer unlawfully issued temporary operating163
permits or issued fraudulent temporary operating permits. Upon a finding that the164
suspended dealer is in compliance with the requirements of this Code section and has165
issued temporary operating permits predominantly for bona fide motor vehicle sales,166
the department shall provide for the immediate restoration of access to the electronic167
temporary operating permit issuance system for such dealer but shall be authorized to168
impose fines or fees as provided by law for failure to comply with the requirements of169
this chapter. Upon a finding that the suspended dealer violated the requirements of this170
Code section or rules and regulations of the department, the department shall be171
authorized to extend the term of suspension for a period of up to 24 months. Upon a172
finding that a dealer has unlawfully issued temporary operating permits in violation of173
this chapter or rules and regulations of the department, the department shall further be174
authorized to issue a civil monetary penalty in an amount no greater than $100.00 per175
violation, suspend or revoke the registration issued to a dealer pursuant to Code Section176
40-2-39, and suspend, confiscate, or limit issuance of any dealer plates issued pursuant177
- 7 - 25 LC 39 4771S
to Code Section 40-2-38 for a period of up to 24 months. The department shall comply178
with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,' in relation to179
the expedited review provided for in this subparagraph and the suspended dealer shall180
have the right to appeal any decision of the department in accordance with such chapter.181
(c) The commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to182
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."183
SECTION 3.184
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-33, relating to issuance of license plates185
and decals, transfer of registration to a digital license plate, compensation of tag agents, and186
required identification, by revising paragraph (3) of subsection (a) as follows: 187
"(3) At the time of initial application for registration or at any time during the registration188
period, a vehicle owner may file with the county tag agent, on a form or electronic form189
prescribed by the commissioner, a request to have a vehicle license plate duplicated on190
a digital license plate purchased from a digital license plate provider. Such request to the191
county tag agent shall include all applicable registration fees. Upon approving the192
application provided in this paragraph, the commissioner or county tag agent shall furnish193
the digital license plate provider with the appropriate licensing information to be194
displayed upon the digital license plate. In accordance with Code Section 40-2-8195
40-2-8.1, a 45 day temporary operating permit shall be issued by the commissioner or196
county tag agent to an applicant for a digital license plate until such license plate is197
received by the applicant."198
SECTION 4.199
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-38, relating to registration and licensing200
of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers and issuance of manufacturer, manufacturer201
- 8 - 25 LC 39 4771S
headquarters, distributor, and dealer plates, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and202
subsections (c) through (f) as follows:203
"(a)(1) Manufacturers, manufacturer headquarters, distributors, and dealers other than204
a motor vehicle broker, as such term is defined in Code Section 43-47-2, engaged in the205
manufacture, sale, or leasing of vehicles required to be registered under Code Section206
40-2-20 shall register by electronic means with the commissioner, making application for207
a distinguishing dealer's number, specifying the name and make of motor vehicle, tractor,208
or trailer manufactured, sold, or leased by them number, upon forms prepared by the209
commissioner for such purposes, and pay therefor a fee of $62.00, which shall210
accompany such application. Upon payment of such fee by a dealer an applicant, the211
commissioner shall furnish to the dealer one master number plate to expire each year in212
accordance with subsection (f) of this Code section, to be known as a dealer's number and213
to based upon the type of master number plate issued. Each additional plate issued214
pursuant to this Code section shall require payment of a $12.00 fee. Each master number215
plate and any additional plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be distinguished216
from the number license plates provided for in this chapter by different and distinguishing217
colors to be determined by the commissioner. The dealer plate for a franchise motor218
vehicle dealer shall be distinguishable from the dealer plate for a used car dealer and from219
the dealer plate for a motor vehicle wholesaler. Except as otherwise authorized by this220
Code section, a dealer's master number plate or additional plates issued pursuant to this221
Code section shall be A dealer's number plate is for the purpose of demonstrating or222
transporting the dealer's vehicles or trailers for sale or lease. Persons engaged in the223
business of transporting vehicles for a dealer under a vehicle's own power shall be224
permitted to use such dealer's plate for the purpose of transporting a vehicle."225
"(c) This Code section shall not apply in any manner to mopeds.226
(d)(c) The license plates issued pursuant to this Code section shall be revoked and227
confiscated upon a determination after a hearing that such dealer, distributor, manufacturer,228
- 9 - 25 LC 39 4771S
or manufacturer headquarters has unlawfully used such license plates in violation of this229
Code section.230
(e)(d) If a license plate issued pursuant to this Code section is lost or stolen, the dealer,231
manufacturer, distributor, manufacturer headquarters, or other party to whom the license232
plate was issued must shall immediately report the lost or stolen plate to local law233
enforcement agencies. If a replacement license plate is sought, the dealer, manufacturer,234
distributor, manufacturer headquarters, or other party to whom the license plate was issued235
shall file a notarized affidavit with the department requesting a replacement plate. Such236
affidavit shall certify under penalty of perjury that the license plate has been lost or stolen237
and that the loss has been reported to a local law enforcement agency.238
(f)(1)(e) Except as otherwise provided for in this Code section, the The expiration of a239
license plate issued pursuant to this Code section shall be the last day of the registration240
period as provided in division (a)(1)(A)(ii) of Code Section 40-2-21, except that for the241
purposes of this subsection, the registration period shall be determined by the first letter of242
the legal name of the business listed on the application for registration or renewal of243
registration. An application for renewal of registration shall not be submitted earlier than244
90 days prior to the last day of the registration period. A penalty of 25 percent of the total245
registration fees due shall be assessed any person registering pursuant to this Code section246
who, prior to the expiration of such person's registration period, fails to apply for renewal247
or if having applied fails to pay the required fees.248
(2) A transition period shall commence on October 1, 2007, and conclude on December249
31, 2007, for all existing registrations and any new registration applications presented250
prior to January 1, 2008. On or after January 1, 2008, new applications for registration251
shall be submitted and remain valid until the expiration of such registration as specified252
in paragraph (1) of this subsection."253
- 10 - 25 LC 39 4771S
SECTION 5.254
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-2-130, relating to records of certificates of255
registration, by revising subsection (c) as follows:256
"(c) The motor vehicle registration records which the commissioner is required to maintain257
under this Code section or any other provision are exempt from the provisions of any law258
of this state requiring that such records be open for public inspection; provided, however,259
that, subject to subsection (d) of this Code section, the records may be disclosed for use as260
provided in the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 123, and261
by the following:262
(1) Any licensed dealer of new or used motor vehicles;263
(2) Any tax collector, tax receiver, or tax commissioner;264
(3) The director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural265
Resources or his or her designee;266
(4) Any private person who has met the requirements of Code Section 40-2-25, provided267
that the information shall be used for the sole purpose of effectuating the registration or268
renewal of motor vehicles by electronic or similar means and that the private person269
requesting the information has entered into an agreement to provide electronic services270
to the commissioner or a county tag agent; provided, further, that the information made271
available pursuant to this paragraph for such purpose shall be limited to the vehicle272
identification number, the license tag number, the date of expiration of registration, and273
the amount of tax owed; and274
(5) A person or entity authorized by the commissioner for use in providing notice to the275
owners of towed or impounded vehicles; and276
(6) The board established pursuant to Chapter 47 of Title 43 for use in carrying out its277
functions."278
- 11 - 25 LC 39 4771S
SECTION 6.279
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-3-23, relating to issuance of certificate of280
title, maintenance of record of certificates issued, public inspection, furnishing records for281
fee, and electronic format, by revising subsection (d) as follows:282
"(d) The motor vehicle records which the commissioner or the commissioner's duly283
authorized county tag agent is required to maintain under this Code section or any other284
provision are exempt from the provisions of any law of this state requiring that such285
records be open for public inspection; provided, however, that, subject to subsection (f) of286
this Code section, the records may be disclosed for use as provided in the federal Driver's287
Privacy Protection Act of 1994, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 123, and by the following:288
(1) Any licensed dealer of new or used motor vehicles;289
(2) Any tax collector, tax receiver, or tax commissioner; and290
(3) A person or entity authorized by the commissioner for use in providing notice to the291
owners of towed or impounded vehicles; and292
(4) The board established pursuant to Chapter 47 of Title 43 for carrying out its293
functions."294
SECTION 7.295
Said title is further amended in Code Section 40-3-33, relating to transfer of vehicle to or296
from dealer, records to be kept by dealers, electronic filing, and application for title where297
dealer located, by revising subsections (a) and (b) and by adding new subsections to read as298
follows:299
"(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a dealer who buys a300
vehicle and holds it for resale need not apply to the commissioner for a new certificate301
of title but may retain the delivered certificate delivered to him. Upon transferring the302
vehicle to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, such dealer303
shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer. Such assignment304
- 12 - 25 LC 39 4771S
and warranty shall show the names and addresses of the transferee and any holder of a305
security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of his the306
security agreement, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the307
commissioner prescribes. Transfers of vehicles under this Code section shall otherwise308
conform with Code Section 40-3-32. A dealer selling a previously registered vehicle for309
which under this chapter need not have a certificate of title is not required under this310
chapter need not furnish a purchaser of such a vehicle a certificate of title. After a311
previously registered vehicle has been brought under the terms of this chapter, a dealer,312
when selling that vehicle, shall conform to all provisions of this chapter.313
(2)(A) As used in this paragraph, the term 'franchise dealer' means a dealer who under314
a contract or franchise agreement with a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, or315
importer is authorized to sell new motor vehicles of or for such manufacturer,316
distributor, wholesaler, or importer and who is authorized to use trademarks or service317
marks associated with one or more makes of motor vehicles in connection with such318
sales.319
(B) A dealer who is not a franchise dealer who acquires a vehicle for which the original320
certificate of title has not been issued and who holds such vehicle for resale shall not321
be exempt from the requirement to obtain a certificate of title in such dealer's name as322
provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection. Such dealer shall, as provided in Code323
Section 40-3-32, obtain a certificate of title in such dealer's name prior to selling or324
otherwise transferring said vehicle to any other person or dealer.325
(b) Every dealer shall maintain a record, in the form the commissioner prescribes, of every326
vehicle bought, sold, or exchanged by him, or received by him for sale or exchange. Such327
record shall be kept for three years and shall be open to inspection by a representative of328
the commissioner during reasonable business hours. The information contained in records329
maintained by a dealer pursuant to this subsection shall be an accurate representation of the330
transaction, and no alternative versions of records shall be produced for a purchaser with331
- 13 - 25 LC 39 4771S
information which differs from that contained in records maintained for inspection by the332
department."333
"(f) The department shall be authorized to assess a civil penalty against a dealer of up to334
$500.00 for each sales transaction conducted in violation of subsection (b) of this Code335
section.336
(g) The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to337
effectuate the provisions of this Code section."338
SECTION 8.339
Code Section 43-47-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions340
relative to used motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts dealers, is amended by revising341
paragraph (3) as follows:342
"(3) 'Established place of business' means a salesroom or sales office in a building or on343
an open lot of a retail used car dealership or at which a permanent business of bartering,344
trading, offering, displaying, selling, buying, dismantling, or rebuilding wrecked or used345
motor vehicles or parts is carried on, or the place at which the books, records, and files346
necessary to conduct such business are kept. Each such place of business shall be at least347
250 square feet, furnished with a working telephone listed in the name of the licensee for348
use in conducting the business, and shall be marked by an appropriate permanent sign as349
prescribed by the appropriate division under this chapter."350
SECTION 9.351
Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad352
valorem tax on motor vehicles, is amended by adding a new paragraph to subsection (a), by353
revising paragraph (9) of subsection (d), and by adding a new subsection to read as follows:354
"(3.1) 'Passive entity' means a person, other than an individual, formed under the laws355
of another state that does not have an established place of business in this state, owns no356
- 14 - 25 LC 39 4771S
real property, and conducts no trade or business other than the holding of assets for357
investment and income."358
"(9)(A) Any owner of any motor vehicle who fails to submit within 30 days of the date359
such owner is required by law to register such vehicle in this state an application for a360
first certificate of title under Code Section 40-3-21 or a certificate of title under Code361
Section 40-3-32 shall be required to pay a penalty in the amount of 10 percent of the362
state title ad valorem tax fees and 10 percent of the local title ad valorem tax fees363
required under this Code section and, if such state and local title ad valorem tax fees364
and the penalty are not paid within 60 days following the date such owner is required365
by law to register such vehicle, interest at the rate of 1 percent per month shall be366
imposed on the state and local title ad valorem tax fees due under this Code section,367
unless a temporary permit has been issued by the tax commissioner. The tax368
commissioner shall grant a temporary permit in the event the failure to timely apply for369
a first certificate of title is due to the failure of a lienholder to comply with Code370
Section 40-3-56, regarding release of a security interest or lien, and no penalty or371
interest shall be assessed. Such penalty and interest shall be in addition to the penalty372
and fee required under Code Section 40-3-21 or 40-3-32, as applicable.373
(B) The penalties provided for in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be double374
for any resident of this state who owns at least 50 percent of a passive entity that owns375
a motor vehicle that fails to submit within 60 days of the date such owner is required376
by law to register such vehicle in this state an application for a first certificate of title377
under Code Section 40-3-21 or a certificate of title under Code Section 40-3-32 and378
register such vehicle."379
"(h) The commissioner shall be authorized in his or her sole discretion to share information380
obtained for purposes of this Code section with the board established pursuant to381
Chapter 47 of Title 43. Any confidential information furnished pursuant to this Code382
section shall retain its character as confidential. Any person who divulges confidential383
- 15 - 25 LC 39 4771S
information obtained pursuant to this Code section shall be subject to the same penalties384
as those provided for divulgence of information by employees of the department."385
SECTION 10.386
This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2026.387
SECTION 11.388
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.389
- 16 -