TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As Florida’s legislative session draws near, a flurry of activity is already underway with lawmakers diligently preparing and filing a plethora of new bills for upcoming discussions.
Among the array of proposals set to be debated are several new designs for specialty license plates, potentially offering Florida drivers a wider variety of personalized options. These specialty plates not only add a touch of individuality to vehicles but also serve a charitable purpose.
Each specialty plate carries an additional annual cost ranging from $15 to $25. A portion of this fee is allocated to organizations linked with the specific plate, ensuring that the funds support meaningful causes.
Should these bills receive approval, they are scheduled to become effective on October 1, marking a new chapter in Florida’s specialty plate offerings.
As of January 9, the proposed list of new specialty plates includes several options, with proceeds earmarked for various charitable efforts.
- SB 246 — Ultimate Fighting Championship
For instance, one plate directs its annual use fees to the UFC Foundation. The foundation is tasked with channeling these funds to support a range of charitable endeavors, including children’s hospitals, assistance for first responders and military personnel, and programs focused on youth mentorship.
According to the legislation, the words “UFC Lives Here” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
While this plate already exists, the legislation would increase its annual use fees to $25.
However, there is an exception for any owners who purchased the specialty plate for over 10 vehicles. In that case, the fees are $15 per plate.
- SB 470 — Fraternal Order of Police
While this plate already exists, the legislation would remove provisions that the plate can only be issued to members of the Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
- HB 571 — Motorcycle License Plate
This bill would establish an “Endless Summer” license plate designed specifically for motorcycles.
According to the legislation, any department-approved image must be placed on the far left side of a plate for display on a motorcycle.
- SB 592 — Miami Carol City Alumni
Annual use fees from the sale of this plate would go to the Chief Hall Association, which must use the proceeds to fund academic programs, athletic programs, extracurricular activities, and auxuliar programs for students attending Miami Carol City Senior High School.
According to the legislation, the words “Miami Carol City Senior High School Alumni” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
- SB 880 — Miami Northwestern Alumni
Annual use fees from the sale of this plate would go to the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, which must use the proceeds to fund academic programs, athletic programs and need-based scholarship programs.
This funding would be to the benefit of Miami Northwestern Senior High School students and the school’s Performing and Visual Arts Center.
According to the legislation, the words “Miami Northwestern Alumni Association” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
Annual use fees from the sale of this plate would go to the Feature Florida Partnerships, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing film, television and digital media production to Florida.
According to the legislation, the words “Film Legacy” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
- HB 1513 — Italian-American Culture
Annual use fees from the sale of this plate would go to Il Circola, a nonprofit that promotes Italian culture in the state.
According to the legislation, the words “Italian Heritage” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
Annual use fees from the sale of this plate would go to the Hoober Brothers Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing public spaces throughout the state.
According to the legislation, the word “OUTSIDER” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
IF APPROVED, WHEN WILL THESE NEW SPECIALTY PLATES BE AVAILABLE?
In short: drivers can begin buying any new plates starting on Oct. 1, though it might take a while before drivers will actually receive one.
According to state officials, each plate’s respective organization is supposed to begin offering pre-sale vouchers when any new laws go into effect on Oct. 1.
Starting on that date, the organizations will have two years to sell 3,000 vouchers before the license plate will be manufactured.
If the pre-sale period ends without an organization hitting that target, their respective specialty plate will instead be deauthorized, meaning it won’t actually be produced.
In that case, anyone who bought a pre-sale voucher for the plate can apply for a refund.
WHAT WILL THEY ALL LOOK LIKE?
Each respective organization is responsible for submitting a proposed art design to the Division of Motorist Services (DMS) within 60 days of Oct. 1, when any new laws officially take effect.
The DMS will then be responsible for developing the specialty plate based on state requirements. While designs haven’t been released yet, they can be printed in one of two ways: center and left-hand.
The state specifications for specialty plate designs are as follows:
The characters on the plate will be roll-coated in black, blue, green, red, or white ink.
Contrast between the plate’s background colors and the characters must be defined enough for law enforcement officers to be able to clearly read the characters during both nighttime and daytime.
The word “FLORIDA” must be printed at the top of the plate in “Arial” font and size 75 point. Meanwhile, the bottom words must be in “Arial Bold.”
IS IT A CENTER DESIGN?
The center graphic must be no larger than 2.5 inches wide by 3 inches high.
The license plate number must have three characters to the left and three to the right of the centered graphic design.
IS IT A LEFT-SIDE DESIGN?
The graphic must instead be on the left side of the license plate and be no larger than 3.5 inches wide by 3 inches high.
The license plate is limited to five characters printed on the right side of the graphic.
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