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-SB33 INTRODUCED
-Page 0
-SB33
-I3PCYZZ-1
-By Senator Kitchens
-RFD: Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety
-First Read: 13-Jan-26
-PFD: 17-Dec-25
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-I3PCYZZ-1 09/09/2025 ZAK (L)ZAK 2025-2641
+FN-KHBII55-2
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-PFD: 17-Dec-25
-SYNOPSIS:
-Under existing law, veterans who were exposed to
-dangerous levels of radiation due to the atomic bomb
-and weapon testing from 1944 to 1962 may be issued a
-distinctive license tag for a motor vehicle.
-This bill would expand the list of veterans
-eligible to receive a distinctive license tag based on
-exposure to dangerous levels of radiation.
-A BILL
-TO BE ENTITLED
-AN ACT
-Relating to license tags; to amend Section 32-6-350,
-Code of Alabama 1975, to include additional veterans who were
-exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to their service
-to those eligible to receive a distinctive license tag.
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
-Section 1.  Section 32-6-350, Code of Alabama 1975, is
-amended to read as follows:
-"§32-6-350
-(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish an
-Alabama Veteran Tag Program to recognize certain veterans.
-(b)(1) The owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident
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-SB33 INTRODUCED
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-(b)(1) The owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident
-of this state and who is an eligible veteran pursuant to
-subsection (c) may be issued a distinctive license tag
-pursuant to this division. The veteran shall : (i)  make
-application to the judge of probate or commissioner of
-licenses ,; (ii)  comply with state motor vehicle laws relating
-to registration and licensing of motor vehicles ,; (iii)  pay
-the regular license fee for a tag as provided by law for a
-private passenger or pleasure motor vehicle ,; and  (iv)  pay an
-additional fee of three dollars ($3) for the initial issuance
-of the tag except a Vietnam veteran's tag.
-(2) In the case of a Vietnam veteran's tag, the
-additional fee for the initial issuance of the tag shall be
-six dollars ($6), three dollars ($3) of which shall be
-distributed to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Alabama
-State Council, to be used to assist Vietnam veterans. For each
-renewal year, an additional fee of three dollars ($3) shall be
-paid for the Vietnam veterans tag. The additional fee of three
-dollars ($3) shall be distributed to the Vietnam Veterans of
-America, Inc., Alabama State Council, to be used to assist
-Vietnam veterans.
-(c) The distinctive license tags in the Alabama Veteran
-Tag Program shall include  all of the following:
-(1)veterans  Veterans  of the United States Armed Forces
-exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to the atomic
-bomb and weapon testing from 1944 to 1962,  who:
-a. Directly participated in the detonation of an atomic
-weapon or device;
-b. Directly participated in the cleanup of radioactive
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-SB33 INTRODUCED
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-b. Directly participated in the cleanup of radioactive
-material resulting from  any  atmospheric detonation of or
-accident associated with an atomic weapon; or
-c. Were exposed to ionizing radiation resulting from
-the operational use of atomic weapons during World War II.
-(2) Vietnam veterans ,.
-(3) Korean War veterans ,.
-(4) World War II veterans ,.
-(5) veterans  Veterans  of the Battle of the Bulge ,.
-(6) veterans  Veterans  of  Desert Shield/Desert Storm,
-Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
-(7) veterans  Veterans  of Operation Iraqi Freedom ,.
-(8) veterans  Veterans  of Operation Enduring
-Freedom-Afghanistan ,.
-(9) veterans  Veterans  of the Cold War serving at any
-time between September 2, 1945, and December 26, 1991 , and .
-(10)  veterans  Veterans  of Operation Inherent Resolve.
-(d) The distinctive tags shall be issued, printed, and
-processed in the same manner as other distinctive tags as
-provided in this chapter. The payment of the required motor
-vehicle license fees and taxes when required by this section
-for a year during which a new vehicle license plate is not
-issued shall be evidenced as provided in Section 32-6-63.
-(d)(e) The Vietnam Veterans of America,  Inc.,  Alabama
-State Council , for the Vietnam veterans distinctive tag, and
-the Department of  Veterans'  Veterans  Affairs for the other
-distinctive veteran tags shall each respectively design or
-have designed the distinctive veteran tags, subject to
-approval by the Commissioner of Revenue and compliance with
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-SB33 INTRODUCED
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-approval by the Commissioner of Revenue and compliance with
-all laws and rules. An applicant for a Vietnam veteran tag
-shall be a Vietnam era veteran, and the local veteran's
-affairs officer in the county in which application is made for
-the distinctive tag shall certify all Vietnam veterans
-eligible for a Vietnam veteran distinctive tag. An applicant
-for other veteran distinctive tags shall be a veteran of the
-appropriate conflict or otherwise qualify for a veteran tag as
-authorized by this section , and shall be certified as eligible
-by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
-(e)(f) The distinctive license tags shall not be
-transferable between motor vehicle owners and shall be subject
-to the same provisions of law related to the transferring of
-distinctive motor vehicle tags provided in Section 32-6-154 or
-as otherwise provided by law or rule of the Department of
-Revenue."
-Section 2.  This act shall become effective on October
-1, 2026.
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+FISCAL NOTE
+Senate Bill 33
+Committee: Military and Veterans' Affairs Sponsor: Senator Wes Kitchens
+Analyst: Jennifer Farish Date: 01/22/2026
+Senate Bill 33 as passed the Senate would expand the Alabama Veteran Tag Program to include
+veterans who were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation due to their service. The required
+issuance fee to obtain this license plate is the same as for standard license plates $23.00
+annually, and there is an additional issuance fee of $3.00 in years when the actual metal plate is
+issued (initially and every five years thereafter). The standard fee is distributed as follows:
+State General Fund $10.00
+Public Road and Bridge Fund $ 9.30
+Municipalities $ 2.52
+Counties $ 1.18
+Total $23.00
+Finally, this bill could increase the administrative obligations of the Department of Veterans
+Affairs to provide certificates of eligibility to license plate applicants.