Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vehicle Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel advances plan to lengthen license‑plate cycle to 10 years; sponsor cites $7.32M savings
Summary
Senate Bill 189 would extend motor vehicle plate reissuance from five to 10 years to reduce manufacturing and postage costs; sponsor told the committee the per‑plate cost is $1.83 and estimated $7,320,000 in statewide savings in 2027. The committee adopted a revenue amendment and issued a separate report.
Senate Bill 189 was presented to the committee as a cost‑saving measure to extend the reissue cycle for motor vehicle license plates from five years to 10 years.
The sponsor, Senator Weaver, said the Alabama Correctional Industries’ cost to manufacture a plate — including decal and shipping — is $1.83, and that in 2027 roughly 4,000,000 plates would be up for reissuance under the current five‑year cycle. “So estimated cost savings of $7,320,000 just by moving it from 5 years to 10 years,” the sponsor told the committee.
Committee members asked how the projected savings would be distributed and whether the savings were earmarked. The sponsor said the estimate was not earmarked and provided a Shelby County example, noting that Shelby County’s projected postage savings would be about $416,000 at the county level. The sponsor said individuals with damaged plates would still be able to obtain replacements.
A revenue amendment that changes an effective date was filed and adopted; Senator Kelly moved the amendment and Senator Coleman Madison seconded. The committee then gave SB189 a separate report to move it forward in the process.
