SB37 By Senator Holley RFD Veterans and Military Affairs Rd 1 03-MAR-15

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, any member of the immediate family of a person who died while on active duty in any branch of the United States military, upon payment of the regular license fees and taxes for motor vehicles and an additional fee of three dollars, may receive an "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive license tag.

This bill would provide that an immediate family member of a person who died while on active duty in any branch of the United States military could receive one distinctive "Alabama Gold Star Family" license tag at no additional cost and would be exempt from payment of the motor vehicle registration fee for that vehicle.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Relating to the "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive license tag; to amend Sections 32-6-630 and 40-12-244, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that a person who qualifies for the "Alabama Gold Star Family" license tag would receive one tag at no additional cost and would be exempt from payment of the motor vehicle registration fee for that vehicle.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. This act shall be known as the Corporal Matthew T. Bolar Act.Section 2. Sections 32-6-630 and 40-12-244, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§32-6-630.

"(a) Notwithstanding Sections 32-6-64, 32-6-67, and 32-6-68, a distinctive license plate category shall be established entitled "Alabama Gold Star Family." The distinctive plates shall be issued, printed, and processed in the same manner as other distinctive plates provided for in this chapter.

"(b) Any member of the immediate family of a person who died while on active duty of any branch of the United States military may apply receive one "Alabama Gold State Family" distinctive tag at no cost or registration fee for the tag by applying to the judge of probate or other county license plate issuing official, present documentation pursuant to subsection (c), pay and paying the required motor vehicle license fees and taxes as provided by law for license plates for private passenger, pickup trucks, or pleasure motor vehicles, and pay an additional fee of three dollars ($3) for the initial issuance of the plate and be issued the "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive license plate. Payment of required license fees and ad valorem taxes for the years during which a new tag or plate is not issued shall be evidenced as provided for in Section 32-6-63. Each family member shall be entitled to receive only one distinctive tag at no cost and shall be exempt from the payment of the motor vehicle registration fee for only one vehicle. Additional distinctive tags may be purchased upon payment of regular required motor vehicle fees and taxes and an additional fee of three dollars ($3) for the distinctive tag.

"(c) The following documents shall be presented to the judge of probate or other county license plate issuing official to receive the "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive license plate:

"(1) DD Form 2064 - Overseas Death Certificate or prior era Department of Defense death certificate; or

"(2) DD Form 1300 - Report of Casualty.

"(3) In the event that the applicant is not identified as the next of kin on one of the documents listed in subsection (c) (1) and (2), the applicant must also submit a notarized affidavit obtained from the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization, certifying applicant's relationship to the deceased service member.

"(d) The "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive license plate shall be designed by the Alabama Gold Star Family Organization and approved by the Department of Revenue.

"(e) As used in this section, the phrase member of the immediate family shall mean all of the following:

"(1) A spouse.

"(2) A parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent.

"(3) A foster parent in loco parentis.

"(4) A sibling, to include whole or half-blood, or by adoption.

"(5) A child, including those by adoption, or a stepchild.

"(6) Grandparent or other legal guardian.

"(7) Any other immediate family members designated as next of kin by the Department of Defense.

"(f) The Department of Revenue may promulgate any rules necessary to administer the provisions of this section.

§40-12-244.

"There shall be exempt from the operation of the privilege or license tax and registration fee now or hereinafter to be levied on automobiles and motor vehicles by the State of Alabama one passenger vehicle owned by any of the following:

"(1)a. An active member of the Alabama National Guard or the Alabama State Guard, when organized in lieu of the National Guard or for any service-connected disabled veteran. The exemption for only one vehicle extends only to distinctive National Guard or service-connected disabled veterans' license tags and shall be claimed upon presentation of proper identification on forms prescribed by the Adjutant General. Active members of the National Guard may obtain additional distinctive license tags for other passenger vehicles which they own by paying the regular privilege or license tax provided by law.

"b. A retired member of the Alabama National Guard with 20 years or more service. The exemption for only one vehicle extends only to distinctive National Guard license tags and shall be claimed upon presentation of proper identification on forms prescribed by the Adjutant General. Retired members of the Alabama National Guard may obtain additional distinctive license tags for passenger vehicles which they own upon presentation and proper identification on forms prescribed by the Adjutant General and by paying the regular privilege or license tax and registration fee as provided by law.

"(2) An officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person serving as an active member of any United States armed forces reserve organization or any service-connected disabled veterans who were residents of Alabama at the time of entering the service and who are still residents of Alabama at the time the exemption is claimed. The exemption shall be claimed by presentation of proper identification and proof of residence requirements on forms prescribed by the state Department of Revenue.

"(3) A member of a volunteer rescue squad.

"(4) The Civil Air Patrol; including those vehicles owned by the national headquarters and those owned by the Alabama wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

"(5) A volunteer firefighter who is a resident of Alabama and who is entitled to the distinctive firefighter tag issued pursuant to Section 32-6-272. The exemption for one vehicle extends only to the firefighter distinctive license plate.

"(6) A recipient of the "Alabama Gold Star Family" distinctive tag, with respect to the registration fee only. The exemption from the registration fee extends only to one vehicle for each family member."

Section 3. This act shall become effective October 1, 2015.

Motor Vehicles

Distinctive License Tags

Revenue Department

Veterans

Military

Alabama God Star Family Tag

Popular Names

Code Amended