PRIA Logo™
GeorgiaHB 2082025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Special license plates; support state parks and historic sites; establish

Sponsored By: James Burchett (Republican), John Corbett (Republican), Jesse Petrea (Republican), Trey Rhodes (Republican), Lynn Smith (Republican), Ron Stephens (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Motor VehiclesPublic SafetyGeneral Bill

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Free plates for totally disabled veterans

Totally disabled veterans get free plates and renewal decals for up to two personal-use motorcycles or passenger cars. Eligibility follows Georgia Code Section 48-5-48(a)(1), and applicants must provide proof, including a Veterans Affairs letter. Future-year benefits cover vehicles owned by the veteran or jointly with a spouse or minor child. Veterans whose disability is not permanent must submit a Veterans Affairs letter each year. Renewal benefits require that the original plates have not been lost. After the veteran dies, an unremarried surviving spouse or minor child can keep receiving free plates or decals until remarriage or death.

Lower plate costs for disabled veterans

Veterans with any degree of disability who are not totally disabled get special plates without the regular plate fee. Renewal decals are also free for up to two personal-use motorcycles or passenger cars registered in their name. Applicants must be Georgia citizens and residents, currently serving or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and follow vehicle licensing laws. Nonpermanent disabilities require yearly proof through a Veterans Affairs letter. Veterans without Veterans Affairs disability certification can submit discharge papers and a licensed doctor's certified statement to Veterans Service. If the statement shows disabilities meeting Veterans Affairs standards, Veterans Service must notify the State Revenue Commissioner that the veteran qualifies. Plates can transfer to another vehicle as state law allows. Disabled veteran plates are red, white, and blue and show the state, year, serial number, disability access symbol, and “Disabled Veteran” or “Disabled Vet.” Across Georgia Code Sections 40-2-69, 40-2-70, and 40-2-71, owners cannot have more than two vehicles with free plates.

New plates fund nonprofits and alumni

The law creates five specialty plates with proceeds going to named organizations. Shepherd Center plate proceeds go to Shepherd Center, Inc.; Georgia Veterans and Their Families plate proceeds go to Georgia Veterans Service Foundation. Southern University Alumni plate proceeds go to Atlanta Metropolitan Chapter of Southern University Alumni Federation of Georgia, Inc. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. plate proceeds go to Delta Life Development Center. Alabama State University alumni plate proceeds go to Alabama State University Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter. The law does not state plate prices or how much these sales will raise. The law's general effective date is July 1, 2025; Sections 1, 2, 3, and 5 take effect January 1, 2026.

New plates support parks and fish

The law creates specialty plates supporting Georgia state parks, historic sites, and black bass conservation. Parks plate proceeds go to the Department of Natural Resources for its state parks and historic sites division. The money supports resource protection, management, maintenance, public enjoyment, and education. The parks plate can display “Georgia State Parks” instead of a county name decal. Black bass plate proceeds go to Georgia Natural Resources Foundation for research, restoration, habitat improvements, stocking, and related fish management. The law does not state plate prices or how much these sales will raise.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • James Burchett

    Republican • House

  • John Corbett

    Republican • House

  • Jesse Petrea

    Republican • House

  • Trey Rhodes

    Republican • House

  • Lynn Smith

    Republican • House

  • Ron Stephens

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 386 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 55 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 167 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  2. Act 187

    5/13/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/13/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/8/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/31/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/21/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/20/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    2/27/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    2/26/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/26/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/21/2025House

  14. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    2/18/2025House

  15. House Second Readers

    2/4/2025House

  16. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/4/2025House

  17. House First Readers

    2/3/2025House

  18. House Hopper

    1/30/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 208/AP* (v13)

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation