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AlabamaSB352026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Vessel Registration; amends boater registration fees and their distribution

Sponsored By: Wes Kitchens (Republican)

Enacted

Waters & Boating

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More flexible registration for boat owners

Beginning January 1, 2027, initial Alabama boat registrations can start in any month and last less than one year. Later registrations are annual, with renewal months based on the first letter of the owner's last name. Registrations expire on the last day of the month before renewal. For November renewals, expiration moves from September 30 to October 31. Base fees are $23 for boats under 16 feet; $28 for 16–under 26 feet; $78 for 26–under 40 feet; and $103 for 40 feet or longer. These fees replace the separate $5 charge, so total charges stay unchanged; the additional $2 issuance fee still applies. The state sends $5 from each Class 1–4 fee to the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund. The rest of the base fee goes to the State Water Safety Fund.

Boat dealers face registration use limits

Beginning January 1, 2027, boat dealers and manufacturers may use their special registration certificates and numbers only for demonstrations or testing. This limit applies to certificates and numbers issued under the dealer and manufacturer registration rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Wes Kitchens

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 274 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 232

Yes: 102 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 103 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/15/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 22

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/15/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    2/10/2026Senate

  2. Delivered to Governor

    2/5/2026Senate

  3. Signature Requested

    2/5/2026House

  4. Third Reading in Second House

    2/3/2026House

  5. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 232

    2/3/2026House

  6. Ready to Enroll

    2/3/2026Senate

  7. Enrolled

    2/3/2026Senate

  8. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    1/21/2026House

  9. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/21/2026House

  10. Third Reading in House of Origin

    1/15/2026Senate

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 22

    1/15/2026Senate

  12. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund

    1/15/2026House

  13. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    1/15/2026House

  14. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/14/2026Senate

  15. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/14/2026Senate

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government

    1/13/2026Senate

  17. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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