Vessel Registration; amends boater registration fees and their distribution
HB 79 consolidates Alabama's current vessel registration fees - previously split between a variable fee based on boat length and a $5 fixed fee - into a single, unified fee. The bill maintains the existing fund distribution: $5 from each registration continues to fund the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund, with remaining fees going to the State Water Safety Fund. This change directly affects all boat owners in Alabama who register their vessels annually, simplifying the fee structure without altering the amounts paid. The bill also updates the code language for clarity and consistency, with no changes to fee amounts or fund purposes.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 17, 2025
Last action Feb 3, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Crawford Motion to Substitute SB35 for HB79 a Companion Bill - Adopted Voice Vote
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 (Ways and Means General Fund)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Danny Crawford
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 79
Scope: AL
Hi! I can help you understand HB 79. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline