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SB186 • 2026

Motor vehicles, distinctive license plates, issuance of "Invisible Disability" plates, authorized

Motor vehicles, distinctive license plates, issuance of "Invisible Disability" plates, authorized

Taxes
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Coleman (M)
Last action
2026-01-20
Official status
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the additional $40 fee will be used or what happens if an individual no longer qualifies for the special license plate after five years.

Invisible Disability License Plates

This bill allows individuals diagnosed with an invisible disability and their primary caregivers to apply for a distinctive 'Invisible Disability' license plate.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows individuals diagnosed with an invisible disability or their primary caregiver to apply for a distinctive 'Invisible Disability' license plate.
  • Requires applicants to provide proof of diagnosis from a licensed physician in Alabama.
  • Sets the cost at $40 annually, on top of regular fees required by law.
  • Specifies that Kulturecity, Incorporated will design the plates with approval from the Commissioner of Revenue.
  • Directs proceeds from additional revenue generated by the special license plate fee to support sensory accessibility and inclusion for individuals with invisible disabilities.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People diagnosed with an invisible disability
  • Primary caregivers of people with invisible disabilities

Terms To Know

invisible disability
A physical or mental condition that may interfere with a person's ability to communicate effectively, such as communication impediments, hearing loss, blindness, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, epilepsy, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, diabetes, heart conditions, and cognitive disabilities.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the additional $40 fee will be used beyond supporting Kulturecity's goals.
  • It is unclear what happens if an individual no longer qualifies for the special license plate after five years.
  • The exact rules and procedures for issuing these plates are left to the Department of Revenue.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

  2. 2026-01-20 Senate

    Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation General Fund

Official Summary Text

Motor vehicles, distinctive license plates, issuance of "Invisible Disability" plates, authorized

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SB186 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB186
2JU3CKK-1
By Senators Coleman, Chambliss
RFD: Finance and Taxation General Fund
First Read: 20-Jan-26
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2JU3CKK-1 12/18/2025 GED (L)ma 2025-3733
Page 1
First Read: 20-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
Existing law authorizes the issuance of
distinctive motor vehicle license plates.
This bill would authorize the issuance of a
distinctive motor vehicle license plate to individuals
who live with invisible disabilities and to the primary
caregivers of those individuals.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicle registration and distinctive
license plates; to authorize the issuance of a distinctive
motor vehicle license plate to individuals who have certain
medical conditions and tp the primary caregivers of those
individuals; and to provide for the distribution of proceeds
from the license plate fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) For purposes of this section, the term
"invisible disability" means a physical or mental condition
that may interfere with an individual's ability to communicate
with a first responder, including:
(1) A communication impediment;
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SB186 INTRODUCED
Page 2
(1) A communication impediment;
(2) Hearing loss;
(3) Blindness or a visual impairment;
(4) Autism spectrum disorder;
(5) Traumatic brain injury;
(6) Schizophrenia;
(7) Alzheimer's disease or dementia;
(8) Post traumatic stress disorder;
(9) Epilepsy;
(10) A developmental disability;
(11) Down syndrome;
(12) Diabetes;
(13) A heart condition; or
(14) A cognitive disability.
(b) Notwithstanding Sections 32-6-64, 32-6-65, 32-6-67,
and 32-6-68, Code of Alabama 1975, an owner of a motor vehicle
who is a resident of Alabama and who has been diagnosed with
an invisible disability or an individual who is the primary
caretaker of an individual who has been diagnosed with an
invisible disability shall be issued a distinctive "Invisible
Disability" license plate upon:
(1) Application to the judge of probate, license
commissioner, or other issuing official;
(2) Compliance with motor vehicle registration and
licensing laws;
(3) Payment of regular fees required by law for license
plates for private passenger or pleasure motor vehicles; and
(4) Payment of an additional annual fee of forty
dollars ($40).
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SB186 INTRODUCED
Page 3
dollars ($40).
(c) To receive an "Invisible Disability" license plate,
the individual shall provide proof of the diagnosis from a
physician licensed to practice medicine in this state.
(d) The "Invisible Disability" license plates shall be
valid for five years and may then be replaced with either
conventional, personalized, or new "Invisible Disability"
license plates.
(e) Payment of required license fees and taxes for the
years during which a new plate is not issued shall be
evidenced as provided in Section 32-6-63, Code of Alabama
1975.
(f) Kulturecity, Incorporated shall be responsible for
the design of the distinctive license plate subject to
approval by the Commissioner of Revenue and compliance with
all laws and rules.
(g) Proceeds from the additional revenues generated by
the forty dollars ($40) minus the production and
administrative costs for the "Invisible Disability" license
plates shall be submitted monthly by the Department of Revenue
or other appropriate official to Kulturecity, Incorporated.
The proceeds shall be used to assist in accomplishing its goal
of creating sensory accessibility and inclusion for
individuals with invisible disabilities within the state.
(h) The Department of Revenue may adopt rules to
implement this section.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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