HB 102 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Disabled veteran license plates; surviving spouses authorized to receive distinctive spouse's plate

HB 102 allows surviving spouses of disabled veterans to retain a special license plate after the veteran's death. It authorizes the issuance of a new "Disabled Veteran Spouse" plate upon returning the original plate, providing proof of marriage, and paying a $5 fee. The plate remains valid for the spouse's lifetime or until remarriage, replacing the need for regular registration fees. This change directly affects spouses of veterans who previously held "Disabled Veteran" plates and updates existing code language to reflect the provision. The bill does not alter parking privileges for these plates.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Last action Mar 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 11, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was amended to clarify that surviving spouses of disabled veterans receive new 'Disabled Veteran Spouse' license plates rather than retaining the veteran's original plates. The effective date of the law was extended from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027.
Scope change
The bill's scope was modified to explicitly authorize the issuance of a new 'Disabled Veteran Spouse' license plate category, replacing the previous language that allowed spouses to retain the deceased veteran's plate.
ELIGIBILITY

Changed the entitlement from retaining the original 'Disabled Veteran' plate to being issued a new 'Disabled Veteran Spouse' plate.

TIMELINE

Extended the bill's effective date from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for spouses to return the original plate, provide proof of marriage, and pay a $5 issuance fee to receive the new plate.

TECHNICAL

Removed the previous provision allowing spouses to retain the original plate under the same terms as the recipient.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 852
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 851
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Introduced
Public Safety and Homeland Security 1st Substitute Offered (Public Safety and Homeland Security)
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bubba Underwood
Bubba Underwood
RRepublican
AL
3