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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama updates "Helping Schools" license plate design and offers free replacements for 2027
Last action · April 16, 2026: EnactedSponsor: Vivian Figures
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What This Bill Does
Alabama requires "Helping Schools" license plates to feature a white background with red lettering and drawings of a red apple, green book, and yellow ruler, and grants a free replacement plate for the 2027 to individuals who purchased or renewed the plate between March 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.
Motorists who currently hold or recently purchased the "Helping Schools" specialty plate will receive a free updated plate for the 2027 without paying the usual replacement fee.
- Specialty license plates in Alabama require an additional annual fee beyond standard vehicle registration costs, with proceeds typically directed toward specific designated causes or organizations. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Helping Schools license plate holders
Holders subject to the plate redesign will receive a free replacement plate for the 2027 registration year if they purchased or renewed their plates between March 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.
State Department of Revenue
The department is required to issue the new design plates and provide free replacements for qualifying individuals during the 2027 registration year.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the redesigned "Helping Schools" license plate look like?
Who is eligible to receive the replacement license plate for free?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Became law.
Procedural history
22 actions- Apr 16, 2026SenateEnrolledEnacted
- Apr 7, 2026HouseSignature Requested
- Apr 7, 2026SenateEnrolledDelivered to Governor
- Apr 7, 2026SenateEnrolled
- Apr 7, 2026SenateReady to Enroll
- Apr 7, 2026SenateReady to Enroll
Show 16 earlier actions
- Apr 7, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1206
- Apr 7, 2026HouseThird Reading in Second House
- Mar 5, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Mar 4, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Feb 26, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund
- Feb 25, 2026SenateEngrossed
- Feb 25, 2026SenateFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 610
- Feb 25, 2026SenateBell motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 609
- Feb 25, 2026SenateBell 1st Amendment Offered
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCarried Over to the Call of the Chair
- Feb 25, 2026SenateThird Reading in House of Origin
- Feb 19, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 18, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 12, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Feb 12, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1206
Total
105
- Yes
- 104
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 1
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (1)
Show 1 earlier roll call
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 610
Total
35
- Yes
- 33
- No
- 0
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 2
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (1)
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance25How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy5Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment2Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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