Georgia 2025 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HR558 Introduced / Bill

Filed 03/11/2025

                    25 LC 39 4737
House Resolution 558
By: Representatives Corbett of the 174
th
, Powell of the 33
rd
, Ridley of the 6
th
, Jones of the
25
th
, and Mathis of the 133
rd
 
A RESOLUTION
Creating the House Study Committee on the State Board of Registration of Used Motor
1
Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue, there has been a dramatic3
increase in the number of illegal temporary operating permits issued by Georgia licensed4
dealers in this state and in other states; and5
WHEREAS, the department reports that a substantial number of licensed dealers are selling6
temporary operating permits, which is illegal, and improperly issuing multiple temporary7
operating permits to customers when the dealers cannot timely process the title application;8
and9
WHEREAS, lawmakers and industry leaders have expressed concerns over the abuse of10
dealer plates with how the plates are used to avoid the payment of title ad valorem taxes on11
luxury motor vehicles and to avoid personal responsibility for citations for moving violations12
and unpaid tolls; and13
H. R. 558
- 1 - 25 LC 39 4737
WHEREAS, the department reports that it has discovered licensed motor vehicle dealers
14
selling or renting their dealer plates, which is illegal, and even sharing forged copies of their15
dealer plates; and16
WHEREAS, law enforcement officials report that criminals in Georgia and other states have17
used illegally issued temporary operating permits, rented dealer plates, and forged copies of18
dealer plates to move stolen motor vehicles and drugs, avoid payment of title ad valorem tax19
and title and registration fees, operate vehicles without passing required federal emissions20
standards, and operate vehicles without minimum liability insurance; and21
WHEREAS, although temporary operating permits and motor vehicle dealer license plates22
are overseen by the Department of Revenue, used car dealers are currently regulated by the23
State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts24
Dealers which is overseen by the Secretary of State's office; and25
WHEREAS, study is needed to determine whether regulation of the used motor vehicle26
industry would be best suited within the same agency that is responsible for issuing license27
plates that are essential for the operation of such business.28
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:29
(1)  Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee30
on the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor31
Vehicle Parts Dealers.32
(2)  Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of the following33
members:34
(A)  The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint four members of the35
House of Representatives as members of the committee, one of whom shall be the36
H. R. 558
- 2 - 25 LC 39 4737
chairperson of the House Committee on Motor Vehicles and one of whom shall be the
37
chairperson of the House Committee on Regulated Industries.  The Speaker of the38
House of Representatives shall also designate one of such members as chairperson;39
(B)  The Secretary of State or his or her designee;40
(C)  The commissioner of the Department of Revenue or his or her designee; and 41
(D)  One representative from a state or local law enforcement agency with experience42
in motor vehicle crimes, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of43
Representatives.44
(3)  Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,45
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or46
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.47
(4)  Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee48
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or49
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and50
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.51
(5)  Allowances, expenses, and funding.52
(A)  The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided53
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.54
(B)  Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members,55
or state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the committee,56
but they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their57
duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they are reimbursed for58
expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees.59
(C) Members of the committee who are not legislators, state officials, or state60
employees shall receive a daily expense allowance in an amount the same as that61
specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia62
H. R. 558
- 3 - 25 LC 39 4737
Annotated, as well as the mileage or transportation allowance authorized for state
63
employees.64
(D)  The allowances and expenses authorized by this resolution shall not be received65
by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are66
authorized.  Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come67
from funds appropriated to the House of Representatives; except that funds for the68
reimbursement of the expenses of state officials, other than legislative members, and69
state employees shall come from funds appropriated to or otherwise available to their70
respective agencies.71
(6)  Report.72
(A)  In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that73
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the74
same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to75
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.76
(B)  In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for77
proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)78
of this paragraph.79
(C)  No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of80
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 81
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with82
the Clerk of the House of Representatives.83
(D)  In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the84
House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu85
thereof.86
(7)  Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.87
H. R. 558
- 4 -