MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) – Governor Robert Bentley ordered the Department of Revenue to not charge any additional fee for Alabamians who choose the God Bless America license plate.
The announcement said there were some concerns raised that the God Bless America tag would cost 50 dollars beginning January 2016. The governor said his administration re-examined legislation passed in the 2015 Regular Session and found it was not clear whether additional fees would apply to this tag.
The God Bless America tag falls into a special category of distinctive license plates for which there is no current additional fee associated with the purchase of the tag. Legislation passed in the 2015 Regular Session increased the issuance fee for distinctive license plates but did not specify whether the additional fee should apply to the God Bless America tag.
A release from the governor’s office says given the ambiguity of the law, the Governor has ordered the Department of Revenue to advise local tag issuing officials in Alabama not to impose any fees on the issues of the God Bless America tag. Additionally, the Governor’s Office will work with the Speaker of the House and other legislators during the next legislative session to further clarify of the law.
“Approximately 1.1 million Alabamians have chosen to proudly display their patriotism with the God Bless America license plate,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “At a time when our country is facing so many unprecedented issues, these tags are a reminder of the blessings God has bestowed on our state and nation.
