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Bill > HB296

GA HB296

GA HB296
Motor vehicles; presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format; provisions

summary

Introduced
02/05/2025
In Committee
03/11/2025
Crossed Over
03/03/2025
Passed
04/10/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/14/2025

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Code Section 21-2-417 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to presentation of proper identification to poll workers, swearing of statement when unable to produce, use of provisional ballots, and penalty for false swearing, so as to require the presentation of a Georgia driver's license as proper identification at a polling place be in a physical format; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hunting, trapping, or fishing, so as to require the presentation of driver's license in physical format for issuance of a fishing, hunting, or trapping license or lifetime sportsman's license; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to provide that presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format satisfies the requirement to possess a driver's license while operating a motor vehicle; to prohibit the compelling of a licensee to produce a wireless telecommunications device to a law enforcement officer; to require the provision of equipment and the implementation of technology capable of verifying validity of driver's licenses in such electronic formats; to amend Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and title ad valorem tax fee, so as to provide for an alternative method for payment of title ad valorem tax for certain modified HB 296/AP rental vehicles; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill introduces several key changes related to driver's licenses and identification in Georgia. It requires that driver's licenses be presented in a physical format when voting, purchasing hunting or fishing licenses, and in certain other official contexts. However, the bill also allows for electronic driver's licenses to be used while operating a motor vehicle, with the provision that law enforcement officers must have equipment to verify electronic licenses by July 1, 2027. Importantly, the bill prohibits law enforcement from compelling individuals to hand over their wireless devices when displaying an electronic driver's license. The legislation also includes a new provision for alternative tax payment methods for specific types of rental vehicles, such as for-hire charter buses and specially modified rental vehicles, allowing them to pay title ad valorem tax fees in two 50% installments. The changes aim to modernize driver's license usage while maintaining physical identification requirements in certain official settings, balancing technological convenience with existing identification protocols.

Committee Categories

Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Effective Date 2025-07-01 (on 05/14/2025)

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