HB 0151 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to specialty license plates; amending ss.
3	320.08056 and 320.08058, F.S.; creating the Protect Our
4	Reefs license plate; providing for the distribution of
5	annual use fees received from the sale of such plates;
6	providing for audit by the Auditor General; providing an
7	effective date.
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9	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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11	Section 1. Paragraph (mm) is added to subsection (4) of
12	section 320.08056, Florida Statutes, to read:
13	320.08056 Specialty license plates.--
14	(4) The following license plate annual use fees shall be
15	collected for the appropriate specialty license plates:
16	(mm) Protect Our Reefs license plate, $25.
17	Section 2. Subsection (39) is added to section 320.08058,
18	Florida Statutes, to read:
19	320.08058 Specialty license plates.--
20	(39) PROTECT OUR REEFS LICENSE PLATES.--
21	(a) The department shall develop a Protect Our Reefs
22	license plate as provided in this section. Protect Our Reefs
23	license plates must bear the colors and design approved by the
24	department. The word "Florida" must appear at the top of the
25	plate, and the words "Protect Our Reefs" must appear at the
26	bottom of the plate.
27	(b) The proceeds of the annual use fee shall be
28	distributed to Mote Marine Laboratory, Inc., to fund Florida
29	reef research, conservation, and education programs. Up to 15
30	percent of the funds received by Mote Marine Laboratory, Inc.,
31	may be expended for annual administrative costs directly
32	associated with the administration of the Protect Our Reefs
33	program. Up to 10 percent of the funds received by Mote Marine
34	Laboratory, Inc., may be used by Mote Marine Laboratory, Inc.,
35	for the continuing promotion and marketing of the license plate.
36	After reimbursement for documented costs expended in the
37	establishment of the plate, Mote Marine Laboratory, Inc., shall
38	use and distribute the remaining funds to eligible Florida-based
39	scientific, conservation, and education organizations for the
40	collection, analysis, and distribution of scientific,
41	educational, and conservation information to the research
42	community; federal, state, and local government agencies;
43	educational institutions; and the public. Eligible organizations
44	shall be based in Florida and engaged in reef research,
45	conservation, or education.
46	(c) The state Auditor General may examine any records of
47	Mote Marine Laboratory, Inc., and any other organization that
48	receives funds from the sale of the Protect Our Reefs license
49	plate, to determine compliance with law.
50	Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.
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