SB 246: Specialty License Plates - Florida

S 246 e2 → S 246 er · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Florida's specialty license plate laws to require organizations receiving fees to submit financial projections and annual reports, with a penalty of deauthorization if they fail to comply. It also establishes new plates for specific groups like the UFC Foundation and Bay Area Legal Services, while clarifying rules for existing plates like the Endless Summer and Fraternal Order of Police designs.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of specialty license plates by authorizing new designs for specific organizations and clarifies how certain independent colleges and universities can share a standard plate template.

REQUIREMENT

Organizations must now submit a 5-year financial projection and a list of third-party recipients for fees within 60 days of approval.

Fees collected for specialty plates generally cannot be used for commercial or for-profit activities, with specific exceptions for certain military and veterans-related plates.

ENFORCEMENT

Specialty license plates will be automatically deauthorized if the organization fails to submit the required financial information on time.

TIMELINE

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature by December 31 summarizing financial projections and withheld revenues.

FISCAL

New specialty license plates are created for the UFC Foundation, Bay Area Legal Services, and several other specific organizations.

Fees from the Endless Summer motorcycle plate must be combined with vehicle plate sales to determine if the plate meets minimum sales requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Independent colleges and universities may now elect to use a standard template plate instead of their own, with sales combined to meet minimum thresholds.

DEFINITION

New restrictions prohibit distributing fees to third parties unless they are domestic or foreign corporations authorized to conduct business in Florida.

S 246 e1 → S 246 e2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly expanded from a minor fee adjustment and plate updates to a comprehensive overhaul of Florida's specialty license plate system. The new version introduces strict financial reporting requirements for organizations, adds a new 'Endless Summer' motorcycle plate, and expands the number of approved specialty plates from 10 to over 30, including new options for high schools and colleges.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from amending two specific statutes to a major revision of three statutes (320.08053, 320.08056, and 320.08058), adding numerous new license plate programs and stricter oversight mechanisms.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement for organizations to submit a 5-year financial projection and design within 60 days of approval, or the plate will be deauthorized.

Mandatory annual reporting by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to the Governor and Legislature regarding financial projections and withheld revenues.

FISCAL

Restrictions added prohibiting the distribution of annual use fees or interest to entities that are not properly incorporated domestic or foreign corporations.

Revision of the Florida Wildflower plate fee structure, maintaining a $25 fee but offering a $15 discount for owners purchasing more than 10 plates.

SCOPE

Creation of a new 'Endless Summer' motorcycle license plate with specific design requirements and fee distribution rules.

Addition of 20+ new specialty license plates, including options for Christopher Columbus High School, Miami Dade College, and various military and veteran organizations.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarification and modification of eligibility rules for Fraternal Order of Police plates, ensuring proceeds go to the Memorial Foundation rather than the Lodge directly.

ENFORCEMENT

Mechanism to deauthorize plates and withhold revenue if an organization fails to submit required financial information or comply with department recommendations.

S 246 c1 → S 246 e1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Florida specialty license plate program by increasing the fee for the Florida Wildflower plate and adding four new plate designs: UFC, Miami Northwestern Alumni, Outsider, and St. Petersburg College. It also removes a previous restriction requiring Fraternal Order of Police applicants to be members of a specific lodge, allowing any member or their family to apply. Additionally, it clarifies how proceeds from these plates are distributed to their respective foundations.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the specialty plate program by adding four new plate designs and modifying the eligibility criteria for the Fraternal Order of Police plate to include family members of lodge members.

FISCAL

The annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower license plate increased from $15 to $25, with a discount to $15 for owners purchasing more than 10 plates.

Defined specific funding allocations for the new plates, directing proceeds to the UFC Foundation, Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Hoober Brothers Foundation, and St. Petersburg College Foundation.

SCOPE

Added four new specialty license plates: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Outsider, and St. Petersburg College.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the restriction that Fraternal Order of Police license plates could only be issued to members of the Florida State Lodge, expanding eligibility to any member or their family.

TIMELINE

Established an effective date of October 1, 2026, for the act.

S 246 Filed → S 246 c1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded from a single provision creating a UFC license plate to a comprehensive package establishing six new specialty plates and modifying two existing ones. This change broadens the scope to include university alumni, local colleges, and first responder mental health initiatives, while also increasing fees for the Florida Wildflower plate and removing eligibility restrictions for the Fraternal Order of Police plate.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from one new specialty plate to six new plates (Miami Northwestern Alumni, Outsider, St. Petersburg College, First Responders Resiliency, plus the existing UFC plate) and two modified plates (Florida Wildflower fee increase, Fraternal Order of Police eligibility expansion).

SCOPE

Added five new specialty license plates: Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Outsider, St. Petersburg College, First Responders Resiliency, and retained the UFC plate.

FISCAL

Increased the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower license plate from its previous amount to $25, with a discount to $15 for owners purchasing more than 10 plates.

Established specific funding allocations for new plates, including 40% of St. Petersburg College fees for scholarships and 50% for workforce development, and dedicated First Responders Resiliency fees to mental health services.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the restriction limiting the Fraternal Order of Police license plate to only members of the Florida State Lodge, allowing family members of members to qualify.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the distribution of fees for the Fraternal Order of Police plate to allow the foundation to retain proceeds until startup costs are recovered before distributing funds for memorial projects.

Specialty License Plates

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