2016 Code of Alabama
Title 33 - NAVIGATION AND WATERCOURSES.
Chapter 5 - REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF VESSELS.
Article 1 - General Provisions.
Section 33-5-11 - Certificates of registration and numbers generally - Application for and issuance of certificate and number; certificate requirements; five-year distinctive identification stickers.

Section 33-5-11Certificates of registration and numbers generally - Application for and issuance of certificate and number; certificate requirements; five-year distinctive identification stickers.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), the owner of each vessel requiring numbering by this state shall file an application for a number with the probate judges' offices, or license commissioner, in the county of residence of the purchaser, or the county in which the vessel is domiciled, or in the county where the vessel is purchased, or if purchased out of state, in the county of residence of the purchaser, or in the county where the vessel is domiciled on forms approved by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency. The application shall be filed by the owner of the vessel and shall be accompanied by a fee in accordance with Section 33-5-17. Upon receipt of the application and its approval by the authorized issuing officer, the officer shall enter the same upon the records and issue to the applicant a certificate of registration stating the number awarded to the vessel, the name and address of the owner, and a description of the vessel. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of the vessel the annual identification number issued in such manner as may be prescribed by rules of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, or in lieu thereof, attach to each side of the bow of the vessel an identification number sticker valid for five years, issued as provided by rules of the agency, so that it may be clearly visible and be of such size as required by the Federal Boating Act of 1958 or any subsequent amendment thereto. The number shall be maintained in legible condition. The certificate of registration shall be pocket size and shall be available at all times for inspection on the vessel for which issued whenever the vessel is in operation. Each pair of five-year identification number stickers shall be furnished by the agency for a cost of twenty dollars ($20) plus an additional two dollar ($2) issuance fee. The issuance fee shall be paid to and collected by the issuing officer in each county. The funds shall be used at the sole discretion of the issuing officer for equipment, maintenance, and any services necessary for the improvement of the office of the licensing official. Disbursement of the funds shall be audited by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. The proceeds from the issuance of the stickers, less the issuance fee and cost of production and processing, shall be paid to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources earmarked for the state parks.

(b) In lieu of the regular identification number stickers issued by the agency and subject to certain transition provisions as further provided in subsection (c), the owner of a vessel may request five-year distinctive identification stickers showing support for any organization approved for the issuance of distinctive motor vehicle license tags as provided pursuant to Section 32-6-64. The design and use of the stickers shall be approved by the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on License Tags created pursuant to Section 32-6-67 and the secretary of the agency. The additional cost of distinctive identification stickers for a vessel shall be fifty dollars ($50). Except as provided in subsection (c), twenty-five dollars ($25) of the proceeds shall be distributed to the organization sponsoring the distinctive license tag and twenty-five dollars ($25) less any additional cost of production and processing, shall be distributed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources earmarked for the operation of the state parks.

(c) If the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on License Tags has approved a distinctive design for a motor vehicle license tag that does not currently provide revenue to a sponsoring organization, the fifty dollars ($50) additional cost, less any additional cost of production and processing, shall be distributed to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources earmarked for the operation of the state parks.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the first period for the issuance of a distinctive identification sticker after approval by the joint committee shall be for a period corresponding to the end of the current period of registration for distinctive motor vehicle license tags for the same sponsoring organization. The distinctive identification stickers may then be renewed for five years on the anniversary date for the renewal of a distinctive motor vehicle license tag for the same sponsoring organization.

(Acts 1959, No. 576, p. 1442, §8; Acts 1994, No. 94-622, p. 1162, §9; Act 2016-421, §1.)