(a) In Houston County, when a negotiable instrument, such as a check or draft, given for a motor vehicle license is found to be noncollectible for any reason, the judge of probate, or his or her designee, shall notify the maker or drawer of the negotiable instrument, in writing, that payment of the negotiable instrument was refused by the drawee and that if the maker or drawer does not pay the holder thereof the amount due thereon, together with a service charge of not more than twenty dollars ($20), within 10 days of the mailing of the notice to the maker or drawer, then the motor vehicle license shall be subject to being retrieved or voided by the judge of probate without further notice. Written notice by regular mail to the address printed on the instrument or given by the maker or drawer at the time of issuance shall be conclusively deemed sufficient and equivalent to notice having been received by the person making, drawing, uttering, or delivering the instrument.
(b) If the maker or drawer of the instrument fails to timely pay the amounts due pursuant to subsection (a), then the judge of probate shall notify the license inspector who shall make a reasonable attempt to retrieve the license in question.
(c) In the event the motor vehicle license cannot be retrieved, the license inspector shall state this fact in writing to the judge of probate and the statement shall constitute authorization for the judge of probate to void the motor vehicle license.
(d) Once the motor vehicle license has been voided, the judge of probate shall receive credit for the cost of the motor vehicle license, sales and use tax, and the issuance fee. The appropriate state office or offices shall mark all pertinent records pertaining to the void license accordingly and upon inquiry by any law enforcement agency or officer shall notify the agency or officer that the party in question is operating under a void license. All violations shall be prosecuted in accordance with current law.
(e) This section is supplemental and cumulative and the remedies provided in this section are in addition to any other criminal or civil penalty provided by law for the negotiating of worthless negotiable instruments.
(f) In addition to any other applicable immunity protections, the judge of probate, license inspector, or any of their employees, agents, or assigns who comply with this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for all actions taken pursuant to this section.
Last modified: May 3, 2021