Bill
Bill > HB551
GA HB551
GA HB551Motor vehicles; conditions, procedures, and limitations for issuance of temporary operating permits; provide
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
03/04/2025
03/04/2025
Passed
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/14/2025
05/14/2025
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for conditions, procedures, and limitations for issuance of temporary operating permits for motor vehicles; to revise provisions relative to the operation of an unregistered motor vehicle or vehicle without a current license plate, revalidation decal, county decal, or temporary operating permit; to authorize the development and maintenance by third parties of an electronic temporary operating permit issuance system for issuance of temporary operating permits; to provide for utilization of such system by dealers for issuance of temporary operating permits; to provide for the suspension of access to such system by the department for certain violations; to provide standards for the issuance of dealer master plates; to authorize access to certain information with the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers for certain purposes; to revise and provide for a definition; to provide for notice and hearings; to amend Code Section 43-47-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to definitions relative to used motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts dealers, so as to revise the definition of established place of business; to amend Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to property, so as to authorize the regulation of motor vehicle immobilization operators by the Department of Public Safety; to limit the immobilization of trespassing vehicles to jurisdictions that have authorized such HB 551/AP activity by ordinance or resolution; to provide for fees; to provide for notice requirements; to provide for licenses; to remove authority to impose a civil penalty; to amend Code Section 48-5C-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alternative ad valorem tax on motor vehicles, so as to provide for enhanced penalty for an owner of a passive entity that fails to pay alternative ad valorem tax; to provide for a definition; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill comprehensively reforms Georgia's motor vehicle registration, temporary operating permit, and dealer licensing regulations. It establishes an electronic system for dealers to issue temporary operating permits, with strict oversight and potential penalties for misuse. The bill defines a "dealer" as someone engaged in selling motor vehicles with at least five annual sales and creates new standards for dealer master plates and temporary operating permits. Key provisions include allowing third-party development of an electronic permit issuance system, authorizing the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend a dealer's access to this system for violations, and establishing procedures for dealers to challenge such suspensions. The bill also updates requirements for vehicle registration, title transfers, and county decals, and adds provisions about immobilizing trespassing vehicles. Additional changes include modifying definitions for established places of business for used car dealers, enhancing penalties for failing to register vehicles, and allowing the sharing of certain confidential vehicle information between government agencies. The bill will become effective on January 1, 2026, and aims to streamline vehicle registration processes while preventing fraud and improving regulatory oversight in the motor vehicle sales industry.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (6)
John Corbett (R)*,
Rick Jasperse (R)*,
Todd Jones (R)*,
Danny Mathis (R)*,
Jason Ridley (R)*,
Jason Anavitarte (R),
Last Action
Effective Date 2026-01-01 (on 05/14/2025)
Taxonomy
Banking, Finance, and Domestic Commerce
- ‐ Automotive Industry
Macroeconomics
- ‐ Taxation, Tax Policy, and Tax Reform
Transportation
- ‐ General Transportation
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70588 | 02/20/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/239070 | 04/04/2025 |
| Floor Amendment AM 39 0472 | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/238169 | 03/31/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/237722 | 03/28/2025 |
| Sen Floor Amend 1 AM 39 0461 | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/237690 | 03/28/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/236576 | 03/20/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/235231 | 03/04/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/233777 | 02/26/2025 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/233216 | 02/20/2025 |
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