Committee members discussed a request from the Freemasons to change their specialty plate back to members‑only issuance and asked staff to gather more information before acting.
David Baxley, director of the Motor Vehicle Division at the Alabama Department of Revenue, described the group’s request and read the statutory language the organization relies on for a membership requirement. Baxley said the relevant statute specifies that a Freemason plate may be issued only to “members in good standing of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Alabama,” and that a valid membership card is required at issuance. He said county offices will require proof of membership when the plate is requested and that the plate must maintain at least 1,000 registrations to remain in production.
“No action is required today; this is a point of interest,” Chair April Weaver said, and committee members asked staff and the probate judges present about practical issues for verifying membership. One probate official summarized: “Show membership. That’s what they have to show us.”
The committee did not adopt a rule or change statute at the meeting. Members said they would review additional information and revisit the proposal at the committee’s spring meeting, asking staff to provide details on acceptable proof and on how county probate offices would verify membership at issuance.
Because the committee did not vote on the proposal, no issuance policy change is in effect. Staff and county probate officials will report back with recommendations and operational guidance before the committee’s next scheduled meeting.