Section 48-2-19. Modernization and improvement of licensing, registration, valuation, and titling functions; utilization of tag and title information in electronic form

   (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the state revenue commissioner shall have total responsibility for the administration of the laws of the state relating to the licensing, registration, valuation, and titling of motor vehicles and that the commissioner shall carry out a complete modernization and improvement of such functions.

(b) The state revenue commissioner shall have total responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive and detailed plan to accomplish the modernization and improvement of the functions specified in subsection (a) of this Code section. Such plan shall include:

   (1) A detailed analysis of personnel, equipment, motor vehicles, and facilities necessary for the administration of the laws relating to the licensing, registration, valuation, and titling of motor vehicles;

   (2) A detailed analysis of the funding necessary to administer such functions of the department;

   (3) Detailed recommendations for the most effective methods of carrying out the functions provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section, bearing in mind that the citizens of the State of Georgia should have a right to expect prompt, courteous, and cost-efficient service with respect to such functions;

   (4) Recommendations for any changes in the relevant laws needed to accomplish the goals referred to in paragraph (3) of this subsection; and

   (5) A suggested timetable for the completion of such recommendations.

(c) The state revenue commissioner shall from time to time report to the presiding officers of the Senate and House of Representatives with respect to:

   (1) The progress of implementation of the plan provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section;

   (2) Any deficiencies or inefficiencies noted by the state revenue commissioner in the current carrying out of the functions provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section; and

   (3) Any interim improvements which should be made in the carrying out of such functions pending completion of the plan provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section.

(d) The state revenue commissioner shall obtain the necessary equipment and personnel in order to utilize effectively motor vehicle registration, licensing, and title information submitted in electronic form by the tax collectors and tax commissioners of the various counties of this state. All counties which have the technological capability of submitting such registration, licensing, and title information in an electronic form shall do so and all other counties are encouraged to develop such capabilities. The state revenue commissioner may promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of standardizing the format of such electronic information to be submitted by the tax collectors and tax commissioners of the various counties, provided that such rules and regulations shall provide for the use of one or more electronic formats currently utilized by local taxing officials.

Code 1981, § 48-2-19, enacted by Ga. L. 1994, p. 514, § 3.