§45-11-201. Notice of refusal; retrieval and voiding of license; records.

(a) In Chilton County, when a negotiable instrument, such as a check or draft, given for a motor vehicle license, boat license, driver's license, privilege license, or conservation license is found to be noncollectible for any reason, the judge of probate or the tax collector, or other like official, or their 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 within 10 days of the mailing of the notice to the maker or drawer, then the license shall be subject to retrieval or voided by the judge of probate or tax collector, or other like official, 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 of the license 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, then the judge of probate or tax collector, or other like official, shall notify the license inspector or the sheriff who shall make a reasonable attempt to retrieve the license.

(c) In the event the license cannot be retrieved through reasonable measures, the license inspector or the sheriff shall state this fact in writing to the judge of probate or tax collector, or other like official, and the statement shall constitute authorization for the judge of probate or tax collector, or other like official, to void the license.

(d) Once the license has been voided, the judge of probate or the tax collector, or other like official, shall receive credit for the cost of the license, sales tax, and the issuance fee. The appropriate state office or offices shall mark all pertinent records pertaining to the license which has been voided 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) The provisions of this section are supplemental and cumulative to existing law 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 or the tax collector, or other like official, or any of their employees, agents, or assignees who comply with this section shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for all actions taken pursuant to this section.

(Act 2002-89, p. 268, §§1-6.)