Florida Senate - 2021 CS for CS for SB 676
By the Committees on Appropriations; and Transportation; and
Senators Baxley, Pizzo, Harrell, Stewart, Berman, and Garcia
576-04425-21 2021676c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to special and specialty license
3 plates; amending s. 320.08053, F.S.; clarifying when
4 the department may not issue new specialty license
5 plates; amending s. 320.08056, F.S.; providing an
6 exception to the requirement that specialty license
7 plate annual use fees and interest earned from those
8 fees be expended only in this state; amending s.
9 320.08058, F.S.; revising legislative intent; revising
10 distribution and application of annual use fees from
11 the sale of Florida Indian River Lagoon license
12 plates; revising distribution of annual use fees from
13 the sale of Wildlife Foundation of Florida license
14 plates; revising distribution of annual use fees from
15 the sale of Divine Nine license plates; providing
16 eligibility requirements for issuance of such plates;
17 authorizing such plates to be personalized;
18 prohibiting the transfer of such plates between
19 vehicle owners; requiring the Department of Highway
20 Safety and Motor Vehicles to develop certain specialty
21 license plates; providing for the distribution and use
22 of fees collected from the sale of such plates;
23 amending s. 320.0807, F.S.; revising requirements for
24 the issuance of certain special license plates;
25 amending s. 320.089, F.S.; authorizing the department
26 to issue Army of Occupation license plates; specifying
27 qualifications and requirements for the license
28 plates; providing an effective date.
29
30 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
31
32 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
33 320.08053, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
34 320.08053 Establishment of specialty license plates.—
35 (3)
36 (b) If the Legislature has approved 150 or more specialty
37 license plates, the department may not issue make any new
38 specialty license plates available for design or issuance until
39 a sufficient number of plates are discontinued pursuant to s.
40 320.08056(8) such that the number of plates being issued does
41 not exceed 150. Notwithstanding s. 320.08056(8)(a), the 150
42 license-plate limit includes license plates above the minimum
43 sales threshold and those exempt from that threshold.
44 Section 2. Paragraph (a) of subsection (10) of section
45 320.08056, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
46 320.08056 Specialty license plates.—
47 (10)(a) A specialty license plate annual use fee collected
48 and distributed under this chapter, or any interest earned from
49 those fees, may not be used for commercial or for-profit
50 activities nor for general or administrative expenses, except as
51 authorized by s. 320.08058 or to pay the cost of the audit or
52 report required by s. 320.08062(1). The fees and any interest
53 earned from the fees may be expended only for use in this state
54 unless the annual use fee is derived from the sale of United
55 States Armed Forces and veterans-related specialty license
56 plates pursuant to paragraph (3)(d) for the Support Our Troops,
57 and American Legion, and Honor Flight license plates; paragraphs
58 (4)(b), (q), and (v) for the Florida Salutes Veterans, United
59 States Marine Corps, and Military Services license plates,
60 respectively; and s. 320.0891 for the U.S. Paratrooper license
61 plate.
62 Section 3. Subsections (10), (46), and (101) of section
63 320.08058, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (112)
64 through (125) are added to that section, to read:
65 320.08058 Specialty license plates.—
66 (10) FLORIDA INDIAN RIVER LAGOON LICENSE PLATES.—
67 (a) Because the Indian River Lagoon system has been
68 targeted by the state as a priority water body for restoration
69 and preservation since the 1987 Surface Water Improvement and
70 Management Act, and because the St. Johns River and South
71 Florida Water Management Districts have joined with local,
72 regional, and state partners to create the Indian River Lagoon
73 (IRL) Council by Interlocal Agreement in 2015 to serve as the
74 host agency for the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary
75 Program, and because the program has worked with local, state,
76 and federal partners to develop and adopt the Indian River
77 Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan in 2019,
78 and because the St. Johns River Water Management District has
79 been distributing funds collected from the plate from Volusia,
80 Brevard, and Indian River Counties to support competitive local
81 cost-share projects in each of these counties administered by
82 the IRL Council, including jointly developed a management plan
83 that includes water quality improvement, habitat restoration,
84 and public awareness and education, and because the United
85 States Environmental Protection Agency has declared the Indian
86 River Lagoon to be an estuary of national significance, and
87 because coastal lagoon activities relating to saltwater fishing
88 account for a multibillion dollar economic base, and because the
89 Legislature supports the restoration efforts of the Indian River
90 Lagoon National Estuary Program and its partners water
91 management districts, the Legislature intends for the
92 establishes a Florida Indian River Lagoon license plate to
93 provide for the purpose of providing a continuous funding source
94 to support this worthwhile effort and to heighten public
95 awareness of this economically significant resource. Florida
96 Indian River Lagoon license plates must contain the fish
97 “snook,” which has been used as the Indian River Lagoon Surface
98 Water Improvement and Management logo, suspended over seagrass,
99 and must bear the colors and design approved by the department.
100 (b) The license plate annual use fees are to be distributed
101 annually as follows:
102 1. The first $5 million collected annually must be
103 transferred to the IRL Council, which must separately St. Johns
104 River Water Management District. The district shall account for
105 the transferred these funds, and such separate from all other
106 funds received. These funds must be distributed as follows:
107 a. Based on Florida Indian River Lagoon license plate sales
108 data from each county tax collector for Volusia, Brevard, Indian
109 River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties, each county’s
110 total number of Florida Indian River Lagoon license plates sold
111 between October 1 and September 30 must represent a percentage
112 of the six-county total, calculated as follows: the total number
113 sold for county A divided by the total number sold for counties
114 A, B, C, D, E, and F is multiplied by 100. The percentage
115 determined for St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach Counties must
116 be totaled, and that total percentage of the statewide Florida
117 Indian River Lagoon license plate revenues must be transferred
118 to the South Florida Water Management District special Indian
119 River Lagoon License Plate Revenue Account and distributed
120 proportionately among St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach
121 Counties. The remaining funds in the IRL Council St. Johns River
122 Water Management District Revenue Account must be divided
123 proportionately between Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River
124 Counties.
125 b. The IRL Council shall administer Each water management
126 district is responsible for administering projects in Volusia,
127 Brevard, and Indian River its respective Counties from funds
128 derived from funded with the appropriate percentage of license
129 plate revenues. The South Florida Water Management District
130 shall administer projects in St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach
131 Counties.
132 2. Up to 5 percent of the proceeds from the annual use fee
133 may be used for continuing promotion and marketing of the
134 license plate.
135 3. Any additional fees must be deposited into the General
136 Revenue Fund. Fees are not to be deposited into the general
137 revenue funds of the IRL Council water management districts.
138 (c) The application of Florida Indian River Lagoon license
139 plate annual use fees is to be administered by the IRL Council
140 St. Johns River and the South Florida Water Management District
141 Districts for Indian River Lagoon projects and in accordance
142 with their contracting and purchasing policies and procedures,
143 with the following restrictions:
144 1. An annual amount of the total license plate use fees
145 must be earmarked for each of the six lagoon basin counties, as
146 determined in sub-subparagraph (b)1.a., to be expended in those
147 counties on habitat restoration, including water quality
148 improvement, monitoring, and environmental education projects.
149 At least 80 percent of the use fees must be used for restoration
150 projects, and not more than 20 percent may be used for
151 environmental education and monitoring projects in each county.
152 These project funds may serve as matching funds for other local,
153 state, or federal funds or grants. Unencumbered funds from one
154 year may be carried over to the following year but must be
155 dedicated to a project within 2 years in the form of a contract,
156 an interlocal agreement, or an approved plan by the governing
157 board of the respective district.
158 2. Florida Indian River Lagoon license plate annual use
159 fees may not be used for administrative salaries or overhead
160 within the IRL Council or the South Florida Water Management
161 District; the water management districts, nor for any general
162 coordination fees or overhead that outside of the districts
163 which is not specifically related to a project;, nor for any
164 projects which are considered to be research, studies,
165 inventories, or evaluations; or, nor for administrative salaries
166 or overhead related to environmental education or ongoing
167 regular maintenance. Annual use fees may be used for acquisition
168 of rights-of-way specific to the implementation of restoration
169 or improvement projects, if acquisition expenditures do not
170 exceed 20 percent of a county’s appropriation.
171 3. In Volusia County, project implementation may occur in
172 all estuarine waters extending north to and including the Indian
173 River Lagoon National Estuary Program’s Indian River Lagoon
174 Halifax River planning boundary amendments that include the
175 Tomoka Basin.
176 4. In Palm Beach County, first priority must be given to
177 projects within the Indian River Lagoon. Second priority must be
178 given to projects within adjacent estuarine waters, including
179 the Loxahatchee River and other tributaries to the Indian River
180 Lagoon.
181 (d) It is the intent of the Legislature that revenues
182 generated by the Florida Indian River Lagoon license plate
183 annual use fees must not be used as replacement funds for other
184 available funding sources Surface Water Improvement and
185 Management Act funds, but must be used solely for the
186 enhancement of the Indian River Lagoon and tributaries in the
187 Indian River Lagoon watershed as defined by the Indian River
188 Lagoon National Estuary Program project boundary defined in the
189 Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management
190 Plan or as provided in this subsection area.
191 (46) WILDLIFE FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA LICENSE PLATES.—
192 (a) The department shall develop a Wildlife Foundation of
193 Florida license plate as provided in this section. The word
194 “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the words
195 “Wildlife Foundation of Florida” must appear at the bottom of
196 the plate.
197 (b) The annual revenues from the sales of the license plate
198 shall be distributed to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of
199 Florida, Inc., a citizen support organization created pursuant
200 to s. 379.223. Such annual revenues must be used in the
201 following manner:
202 1. Seventy-five percent must be encumbered used to fund
203 programs and projects within the state that preserve open space
204 and wildlife habitat, promote conservation, promote hunting and
205 shooting sports, improve wildlife habitat, and establish open
206 space for the perpetual use of the public. Unencumbered funds
207 from one year may be carried over to the following year, but
208 must be spent within 2 years of receipt or dedicated to a
209 project within 2 years of receipt in the form of a contract, a
210 grant award, or an approved plan by the governing board of the
211 Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc.
212 2. Twenty-five percent may be used for promotion,
213 marketing, and administrative costs directly associated with
214 operation of the foundation.
215 (c) When the provisions of subparagraph (b)1. are met,
216 those annual revenues shall be used for the purposes of
217 subparagraph (b)2.
218 (101) DIVINE NINE LICENSE PLATES.—
219 (a) The department shall develop a Divine Nine license
220 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053 using a
221 standard template and a unique logo, graphic, or color for each
222 of the organizations listed in sub-subparagraphs (b)3.a.-i.
223 (b)2.a.-i. The plate must bear the colors and design approved by
224 the department, and must include the official logo, graphic, or
225 color as appropriate for each organization. The word “Florida”
226 must appear at the top of the plate, and the words “Divine Nine”
227 must appear at the bottom of the plate.
228 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
229 distributed as follows:
230 1. Five percent of the proceeds shall be distributed to the
231 United Negro College Fund, Inc., for college scholarships for
232 Florida residents attending Florida’s historically black
233 colleges and universities.
234 2. Ten percent of the proceeds shall be distributed to the
235 Association to Preserve African American Society, History and
236 Tradition, Inc., solely for the marketing of the plate.
237 3.2. The remaining 85 95 percent of the proceeds shall be
238 distributed to one of the following organizations as selected by
239 the purchaser of the plate who, upon fulfilling the requirements
240 of paragraph (c), shall receive a license plate with the logo,
241 graphic, or color associated with the appropriate recipient
242 organization:
243 a. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.—
244 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the Florida
245 Federation of Alpha Chapters, Inc., to promote community
246 awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural
247 service activities within this state.
248 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the Florida
249 Federation of Alpha Chapters, Inc., solely for the marketing of
250 the plate.
251 b. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.—
252 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the Alpha
253 Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc., to promote
254 community awareness and action through educational, economic,
255 and cultural service activities within this state.
256 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the Alpha Kappa
257 Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc., solely for the
258 marketing of the plate.
259 c. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.—
260 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the
261 Southern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., to
262 promote community awareness and action through educational,
263 economic, and cultural service activities within this state.
264 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the Southern
265 Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., solely for the
266 marketing of the plate.
267 d. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.—
268 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the State
269 of Florida Omega Friendship Foundation, Inc., to promote
270 community awareness and action through educational, economic,
271 and cultural service activities within this state.
272 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the State of
273 Florida Omega Friendship Foundation, Inc., solely for the
274 marketing of the plate.
275 e. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.—
276 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the Delta
277 Research and Educational Foundation, Inc., to promote community
278 awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural
279 service activities within this state.
280 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the Delta Research
281 and Educational Foundation, Inc., solely for the marketing of
282 the plate.
283 f. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.—
284 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the TMB
285 Charitable Foundation, Inc., to promote community awareness and
286 action through educational, economic, and cultural service
287 activities within this state.
288 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the TMB Charitable
289 Foundation, Inc., solely for the marketing of the plate.
290 g. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.—
291 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the Florida
292 Pearls, Inc., to promote community awareness and action through
293 educational, economic, and cultural service activities within
294 this state.
295 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the Florida
296 Pearls, Inc., solely for the marketing of the plate.
297 h. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.—
298 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the Sigma
299 Gamma Rho Sorority National Education Fund, Inc., to promote
300 community awareness and action through educational, economic,
301 and cultural service activities within this state.
302 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the Sigma Gamma
303 Rho Sorority National Education Fund, Inc., solely for the
304 marketing of the plate.
305 i. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.—
306 (I) Eighty-five percent shall be distributed to the
307 National Iota Foundation, Inc., to promote community awareness
308 and action through educational, economic, and cultural service
309 activities within this state.
310 (II) Ten percent shall be distributed to the National Iota
311 Foundation, Inc., solely for the marketing of the plate.
312 (c)1. To be eligible for issuance of a Divine Nine license
313 plate representing an organization listed in sub-subparagraphs
314 (b)3.a.-i., a person must be a resident of this state who is the
315 registered owner of a motor vehicle and who is a member of the
316 applicable organization. The person must also present proof of
317 membership in the organization, which may be established by:
318 a. A card distributed by the organization indicating the
319 person’s membership in the organization; or
320 b. A written letter on the organization’s letterhead which
321 is signed by the organization’s national president or his or her
322 designated official and which states that the person was
323 inducted into the organization.
324 2. Proof of membership in an organization listed in sub
325 subparagraphs (b)3.a.-i. is required only for initial issuance
326 of a Divine Nine license plate. A person need not present such
327 proof for renewal of the license plate.
328 (d) A Divine Nine license plate:
329 1. May be personalized.
330 2. May not be transferred between vehicle owners.
331
332 License plates created pursuant to this subsection shall have
333 their plate sales combined for the purpose of meeting the
334 minimum license plate sales threshold in s. 320.08056(8)(a) and
335 for determining the license plate limit in s. 320.08053(3)(b).
336 License plates created pursuant to this subsection must be
337 ordered directly from the department.
338 (112) FLORIDA STATE PARKS LICENSE PLATES.—
339 (a) The department shall develop a Florida State Parks
340 license plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The
341 plate must bear the colors and design approved by the
342 department. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the
343 plate, and the words “Explore Our State Parks” must appear at
344 the bottom of the plate.
345 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
346 distributed to the Florida State Parks Foundation, Inc., a
347 nonprofit Florida corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal
348 Revenue Code, to be used to preserve, protect, sustain, and grow
349 Florida state parks. Up to 10 percent of the proceeds may be
350 used for marketing of the plate and costs directly associated
351 with administration of the foundation.
352 (113) SUPPORT HEALTHCARE HEROES LICENSE PLATES.—
353 (a) The department shall develop a Support Healthcare
354 Heroes license plate as provided in this section and s.
355 320.08053. The plate must bear the colors and design approved by
356 the department. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the
357 plate, and the words “Support Healthcare Heroes” must appear at
358 the bottom of the plate.
359 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
360 distributed annually into the Emergency Medical Services Trust
361 Fund within the Department of Health to provide financial
362 support for prehospital medical services pursuant to s. 401.113.
363 (114) INTER MIAMI CF LICENSE PLATES.—
364 (a) The department shall develop an Inter Miami CF license
365 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
366 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
367 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
368 words “Inter Miami CF” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
369 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
370 distributed to Inter Miami CF Foundation Corporation, a
371 nonprofit corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
372 Code, which may use a maximum of 10 percent of the proceeds to
373 promote and market the plate. The remainder of the proceeds
374 shall be used by Inter Miami CF Foundation Corporation to plan
375 and execute sports-based development and direct-service
376 community programs, initiatives, and events.
377 (115) TOASTMASTERS LICENSE PLATES.—
378 (a) The department shall develop a Toastmasters license
379 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
380 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
381 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
382 words “www.Toastmasters.org” must appear at the bottom of the
383 plate.
384 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
385 distributed to the Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund of
386 Toastmasters International, a s. 501(c)(3) nonprofit
387 organization, of which:
388 1. Twenty-five percent shall be used to develop charitable
389 and educational programs for the indigent, homeless, visually
390 and hearing disabled, incarcerated, and youth populations that
391 are unable to afford or to participate in established
392 Toastmasters programs. Up to 5 percent of this distribution may
393 be used for administrative expenses.
394 2. Seventy-five percent shall be proportionally
395 redistributed to the divisions of Districts 47, 48, 77, and 84
396 of Toastmasters International which reside in this state. Up to
397 5 percent of this distribution may be used for marketing of the
398 plate, and the remainder shall be used for educators,
399 nonprofits, governmental organizations, scholarships, materials,
400 and computers and other equipment for the purpose of
401 implementing the charitable and educational programs for the
402 indigent, homeless, visually and hearing disabled, incarcerated,
403 and youth populations that are unable to afford or to
404 participate in the established Toastmasters programs.
405 (116) GOPHER TORTOISE LICENSE PLATES.—
406 (a) The department shall develop a Gopher Tortoise license
407 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
408 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
409 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
410 words “Protect the Gopher Tortoise” must appear at the bottom of
411 the plate.
412 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
413 distributed to Wildlands Conservation, Inc., a nonprofit
414 corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to
415 fund gopher tortoise and commensal species research, education,
416 and conservation, as well as upland habitat protection,
417 restoration, and management in this state. Up to 10 percent of
418 the funds received by Wildlands Conservation, Inc., may be used
419 for marketing of the plate and costs directly associated with
420 the administration of the gopher tortoise protection program.
421 Wildlands Conservation, Inc., shall use and distribute the funds
422 to eligible Florida-based scientific, conservation, and
423 educational organizations for gopher tortoise and upland habitat
424 research, conservation, and management.
425 (117) ORLANDO UNITED LICENSE PLATES.—
426 (a) The department shall develop an Orlando United license
427 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
428 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
429 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
430 words “Orlando United” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
431 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
432 distributed as follows:
433 1. Five percent shall be distributed to the Mental Health
434 Association of Central Florida, Inc., to be used for marketing
435 of the license plate.
436 2. Thirty-one percent shall be distributed to the Mental
437 Health Association of Central Florida, Inc. Of this amount, up
438 to 5 percent may be used for administrative expenses, and the
439 remainder shall be used to offer free personalized counseling to
440 any person affected by the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in
441 Orlando on June 12, 2016.
442 3. Two percent shall be distributed to onePULSE Foundation,
443 Inc., a charitable, nonprofit organization under s. 501(c)(3) of
444 the Internal Revenue Code, to be used for marketing of the
445 license plate.
446 4. Thirty-one percent shall be distributed to onePULSE
447 Foundation, Inc. Of this amount, up to 5 percent may be used for
448 administrative expenses, and the remainder shall be used to
449 support the construction and maintenance of the onePULSE
450 Foundation Memorial.
451 5. Thirty-one percent shall be distributed to 26 Health,
452 Inc. Of this amount, up to 5 percent may be used for
453 administrative expenses, and the remainder shall be used to
454 offer free personalized counseling to any person affected by the
455 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016.
456 (118) BISCAYNE BAY LICENSE PLATES.—
457 (a) The department shall develop a Biscayne Bay license
458 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
459 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
460 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
461 words “Protect Biscayne Bay” must appear at the bottom of the
462 plate.
463 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
464 distributed to The Miami Foundation, Inc., a Florida nonprofit
465 corporation, to be used as follows:
466 1. Up to 10 percent of the fees may be used for promotion
467 and marketing of the license plate and for direct reimbursement
468 for administrative costs, startup costs, and costs incurred in
469 the development and approval process of the license plate. All
470 vendors associated with administrative costs shall be selected
471 by competitive bid.
472 2. The remaining fees shall be used to raise awareness and
473 support the mission and efforts of conserving Biscayne Bay. The
474 Miami Foundation Board of Trustees must approve and is
475 accountable for all such expenditures.
476 (119) DISEASE PREVENTION & EARLY DETECTION LICENSE PLATES.—
477 (a) The department shall develop a Disease Prevention &
478 Early Detection license plate as provided in this section and s.
479 320.08053. The plate must bear the colors and design approved by
480 the department. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the
481 plate, and the words “Disease Prevention & Early Detection” must
482 appear at the bottom of the plate.
483 (b) The license plate annual use fees shall be distributed
484 to The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate,
485 Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation, which may use a maximum
486 of 10 percent of the proceeds to promote and market the plate.
487 The remainder of the proceeds shall be used by The Women’s
488 Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate, Inc., to provide
489 increased education and awareness relating to early detection,
490 prevention, and screening of breast and heart issues.
491 (120) HONOR FLIGHT LICENSE PLATES.—
492 (a) The department shall develop an Honor Flight license
493 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
494 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
495 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
496 words “Honor Flight” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
497 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
498 distributed equally among the Honor Flight Network hubs in this
499 state, each of which is a nonprofit corporation under s.
500 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to be used as follows:
501 1. Up to 10 percent of the fees may be used for promotion
502 and marketing of the license plate.
503 2. The remaining fees shall be used to further the Honor
504 Flight Network’s mission of transporting military veterans to
505 Washington, D.C., in order to visit the memorials dedicated to
506 honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the United
507 States.
508 (121) ETHICAL ECOTOURISM LICENSE PLATES.—
509 (a) The department shall develop an Ethical Ecotourism
510 license plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The
511 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and words
512 approved by the department must appear at the bottom of the
513 plate.
514 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate must be
515 distributed equally between the Florida Society for Ethical
516 Ecotourism and Paddle Florida, Inc., each of which may use up to
517 10 percent of such proceeds for administrative costs and the
518 marketing of the plate. The remaining proceeds must be used by
519 the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism to provide
520 environmental education and awareness that encourage behaviors
521 that contribute to the sustainability of Florida’s natural
522 ecosystems and resources and by Paddle Florida, Inc., to raise
523 awareness about water conservation, wildlife preservation,
524 restoration of springs, and protection of waterways in this
525 state.
526 (122) PROTECT MARINE WILDLIFE LICENSE PLATES.—
527 (a) The department shall develop a Protect Marine Wildlife
528 license plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The
529 plate must bear the colors and design approved by the
530 department. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the
531 plate, and the words “Protect Marine Wildlife” must appear at
532 the bottom of the plate.
533 (b) The annual use fees shall be distributed to the Protect
534 Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., which may use up to 10 percent of
535 the proceeds for administration, promotion, and marketing of the
536 plate. All remaining proceeds shall be used by the Protect Wild
537 Dolphins Alliance, Inc., to fund its conservation, research, and
538 educational programs that focus on the conservation of Florida’s
539 threatened and protected marine wildlife species.
540 (123) MARGARITAVILLE LICENSE PLATES.—
541 (a) The department shall develop a Margaritaville license
542 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
543 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
544 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the word
545 “Margaritaville” must appear at the bottom or the side of the
546 plate.
547 (b) The annual use fees shall be distributed to the SFC
548 Charitable Foundation, Inc., which may use up to 10 percent of
549 the proceeds for administration, promotion, and marketing of the
550 specialty license plate. All remaining proceeds shall be used by
551 the SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc., to provide grants to
552 nonprofit organizations in communities impacted by natural or
553 manmade disasters for purposes of recovery, rebuilding, and
554 future sustainability and to promote and inspire local
555 grassroots leaders who work to improve the quality of life in
556 those communities and other communities in this state.
557 (124) 30A.COM/SCENIC WALTON LICENSE PLATES.—
558 (a) The department shall develop a 30A.com/Scenic Walton
559 license plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The
560 plate must bear the colors and design approved by the
561 department. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the
562 plate, and the words “Support Scenic Walton” must appear at the
563 bottom of the plate.
564 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
565 distributed to Scenic Walton, Inc., a nonprofit Florida
566 corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to
567 be used to preserve and enhance the beauty and safety of Walton
568 County. Up to 10 percent of the fees may be used for marketing
569 of the plate and costs directly associated with administration
570 of Scenic Walton, Inc.
571 (125) FLORIDA SWIMS LICENSE PLATES.—
572 (a) The department shall develop a Florida Swims license
573 plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate
574 must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The
575 word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the
576 words “Swim for Life” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
577 (b) The annual use fees from the sale of the plate shall be
578 distributed to Swimming Pool Education and Safety Foundation,
579 Inc., doing business as Florida Swims, a nonprofit organization
580 under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which may use
581 up to 10 percent of the fees for administration and marketing of
582 the plate. The remaining proceeds shall be used by Swimming Pool
583 Education and Safety Foundation, Inc., doing business as Florida
584 Swims, to promote swimming pool and water safety and to provide
585 grants and scholarships for childhood swimming lessons in
586 Florida.
587 Section 4. Subsection (5) of section 320.0807, Florida
588 Statutes, is amended to read:
589 320.0807 Special license plates for Governor and federal
590 and state legislators.—
591 (5) Upon application by any current or former President of
592 the Senate and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805,
593 the department may issue a license plate stamped “Senate
594 President” followed by the number assigned by the department or
595 chosen by the applicant if it is not already in use. Upon
596 application by any current or former Speaker of the House of
597 Representatives and payment of the fees prescribed by s.
598 320.0805, the department may issue a license plate stamped
599 “House Speaker” followed by the number assigned by the
600 department or chosen by the applicant if it is not already in
601 use. The applicant must have served as President of the Senate
602 or Speaker of the House of Representatives prior to January 1,
603 2021.
604 Section 5. Section 320.089, Florida Statutes, is amended to
605 read:
606 320.089 Veterans of the United States Armed Forces; members
607 of National Guard; survivors of Pearl Harbor; Purple Heart medal
608 recipients; Bronze Star recipients; active or retired United
609 States Armed Forces reservists; Combat Infantry Badge, Combat
610 Medical Badge, or Combat Action Badge recipients; Combat Action
611 Ribbon recipients; Air Force Combat Action Medal recipients;
612 Distinguished Flying Cross recipients; former prisoners of war;
613 Korean War Veterans; Vietnam War Veterans; Operation Desert
614 Shield Veterans; Operation Desert Storm Veterans; Operation
615 Enduring Freedom Veterans; Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans;
616 Women Veterans; World War II Veterans; and Navy Submariners; and
617 Army of Occupation Veterans; special license plates; fee.—
618 (1)(a) Each owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
619 private use or recreational vehicle as specified in s.
620 320.08(9)(c) or (d), which is not used for hire or commercial
621 use, who is a resident of the state and a veteran of the United
622 States Armed Forces, a Woman Veteran, a World War II Veteran, a
623 Navy Submariner, an active or retired member of the Florida
624 National Guard, a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, a
625 recipient of the Purple Heart medal, a recipient of the Bronze
626 Star, an active or retired member of any branch of the United
627 States Armed Forces Reserve, or a recipient of the Combat
628 Infantry Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Action Badge,
629 Combat Action Ribbon, Air Force Combat Action Medal, or
630 Distinguished Flying Cross, upon application to the department,
631 accompanied by proof of release or discharge from any branch of
632 the United States Armed Forces, proof of active membership or
633 retired status in the Florida National Guard, proof of
634 membership in the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association or proof of
635 active military duty in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, proof
636 of being a Purple Heart medal recipient, proof of being a Bronze
637 Star recipient, proof of active or retired membership in any
638 branch of the United States Armed Forces Reserve, or proof of
639 membership in the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, Inc., proof
640 of being a recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, Combat
641 Medical Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat Action Ribbon, Air
642 Force Combat Action Medal, or Distinguished Flying Cross, and
643 upon payment of the license tax for the vehicle as provided in
644 s. 320.08, shall be issued a license plate as provided by s.
645 320.06 which, in lieu of the serial numbers prescribed by s.
646 320.06, is stamped with the words “Veteran,” “Woman Veteran,”
647 “WWII Veteran,” “Navy Submariner,” “National Guard,” “Pearl
648 Harbor Survivor,” “Combat-wounded veteran,” “Bronze Star,” “U.S.
649 Reserve,” “Combat Infantry Badge,” “Combat Medical Badge,”
650 “Combat Action Badge,” “Combat Action Ribbon,” “Air Force Combat
651 Action Medal,” or “Distinguished Flying Cross,” as appropriate,
652 and a likeness of the related campaign medal or badge, followed
653 by the serial number of the license plate. Additionally, the
654 Purple Heart plate may have the words “Purple Heart” stamped on
655 the plate and the likeness of the Purple Heart medal appearing
656 on the plate.
657 (b) The military members listed in paragraph (a) are
658 eligible to be issued special veteran’s motorcycle license
659 plates. The veteran’s motorcycle license plate design shall be
660 the same as the design for the motor vehicle “Veteran” and
661 “Woman Veteran” special license plate. The word “Veteran” or
662 “Woman Veteran” shall be displayed at the bottom of the
663 motorcycle license plate.
664 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
665 contrary, beginning with fiscal year 2002-2003 and annually
666 thereafter, the first $100,000 in general revenue generated from
667 the sale of license plates issued under this section shall be
668 deposited into the Grants and Donations Trust Fund, as described
669 in s. 296.38(2), to be used for the purposes established by law
670 for that trust fund. Any additional general revenue generated
671 from the sale of such plates shall be deposited into the
672 Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund within the Department of
673 Veterans’ Affairs and used to support program operations that
674 benefit veterans or the operation, maintenance, or construction
675 of domiciliary and nursing homes for veterans, subject to the
676 requirements of chapter 216.
677 (d) Any revenue generated from the sale of Woman Veteran
678 license plates must be deposited into the Operations and
679 Maintenance Trust Fund administered by the Department of
680 Veterans’ Affairs pursuant to s. 20.375(3) and must be used
681 solely for the purpose of creating and implementing programs to
682 benefit women veterans. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to
683 the contrary, an applicant for a Pearl Harbor Survivor license
684 plate or a Purple Heart license plate who also qualifies for a
685 disabled veteran’s license plate under s. 320.084 shall be
686 issued the appropriate special license plate without payment of
687 the license tax imposed by s. 320.08.
688 (2) Each owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
689 private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a
690 recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d),
691 which is not used for hire or commercial use who is a resident
692 of this state and who is a former prisoner of war, or his or her
693 unremarried surviving spouse, upon application to the
694 department, shall be issued a license plate as provided in s.
695 320.06, stamped with the words “Ex-POW” followed by the serial
696 number. Each application shall be accompanied by proof that the
697 applicant meets the qualifications specified in paragraph (a) or
698 paragraph (b).
699 (a) A citizen of the United States who served as a member
700 of the Armed Forces of the United States or the armed forces of
701 a nation allied with the United States who was held as a
702 prisoner of war at such time as the Armed Forces of the United
703 States were engaged in combat, or his or her unremarried
704 surviving spouse, may be issued the special license plate
705 provided for in this subsection without payment of the license
706 tax imposed by s. 320.08.
707 (b) A person who was serving as a civilian with the consent
708 of the United States Government, or a person who was a member of
709 the Armed Forces of the United States while he or she was not a
710 United States citizen and was held as a prisoner of war when the
711 Armed Forces of the United States were engaged in combat, or his
712 or her unremarried surviving spouse, may be issued the special
713 license plate provided for in this subsection upon payment of
714 the license tax imposed by s. 320.08.
715 (3) Each owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
716 private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a
717 recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d),
718 which is not used for hire or commercial use who is a resident
719 of this state and who is the unremarried surviving spouse of a
720 recipient of the Purple Heart medal, upon application to the
721 department accompanied by the payment of the required fees,
722 shall be issued a license plate as provided in s. 320.06 which
723 is stamped with the words “Purple Heart” and the likeness of the
724 Purple Heart medal followed by the serial number. Each
725 application shall be accompanied by proof that the applicant is
726 the unremarried surviving spouse of a recipient of the Purple
727 Heart medal.
728 (4) The owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
729 private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a
730 recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d)
731 which is not used for hire or commercial use who is a resident
732 of this state and a current or former member of the United
733 States Armed Forces who was deployed and served in Korea during
734 the Korean War as defined in s. 1.01(14), upon application to
735 the department accompanied by proof of active membership or
736 former active duty status during the Korean War and payment of
737 the license tax for the vehicle as provided in s. 320.08, shall
738 be issued a license plate as provided by s. 320.06 which, in
739 lieu of the registration license number prescribed by s. 320.06,
740 is stamped with the words “Korean War Veteran” and a likeness of
741 the Korean Service Medal, followed by the registration license
742 number of the plate. Proof that the applicant was awarded the
743 Korean Service Medal is sufficient to establish eligibility for
744 the license plate.
745 (5) The owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
746 private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a
747 recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d)
748 which is not used for hire or commercial use who is a resident
749 of this state and a current or former member of the United
750 States military who was deployed and served in Vietnam during
751 United States military deployment in Indochina, upon application
752 to the department accompanied by proof of active membership or
753 former active duty status during these operations and payment of
754 the license tax for the vehicle as provided in s. 320.08, shall
755 be issued a license plate as provided by s. 320.06 which, in
756 lieu of the registration license number prescribed by s. 320.06,
757 is stamped with the words “Vietnam War Veteran” and a likeness
758 of the Vietnam Service Medal, followed by the registration
759 license number of the plate. Proof that the applicant was
760 awarded the Vietnam Service Medal is sufficient to establish
761 eligibility for the license plate.
762 (6) The owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
763 private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a
764 recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d)
765 which is not used for hire or commercial use who is a resident
766 of this state and a current or former member of the United
767 States military who was deployed and served in Saudi Arabia,
768 Kuwait, or another area of the Persian Gulf during Operation
769 Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm; in Afghanistan during
770 Operation Enduring Freedom; or in Iraq during Operation Iraqi
771 Freedom, upon application to the department accompanied by proof
772 of active membership or former active duty status during one of
773 these operations and payment of the license tax for the vehicle
774 as provided in s. 320.08, shall be issued a license plate as
775 provided by s. 320.06 which, in lieu of the registration license
776 number prescribed by s. 320.06, is stamped with the words
777 “Operation Desert Shield,” “Operation Desert Storm,” “Operation
778 Enduring Freedom,” or “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” as appropriate,
779 and a likeness of the related campaign medal followed by the
780 registration license number of the plate. Proof that the
781 applicant was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq
782 Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or Global War on
783 Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is sufficient to establish
784 eligibility for the appropriate license plate.
785 (7) The owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for
786 private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a
787 recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d)
788 which is not used for hire or commercial use who is a resident
789 of this state and a current or former member of the United
790 States military who was permanently assigned to occupation
791 forces in specific overseas locations during the Cold War
792 between May 9, 1945, and October 2, 1990, upon application to
793 the department accompanied by proof of active membership or
794 former active duty status during this period at one of these
795 locations and payment of the license tax for the vehicle as
796 provided in s. 320.08, shall be issued a license plate as
797 provided by s. 320.06 which, in lieu of the registration license
798 number prescribed by s. 320.06, is stamped with the words “Army
799 of Occupation” and a likeness of the subject medal, followed by
800 the registration license number of the plate. Proof that the
801 applicant was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal is sufficient
802 to establish eligibility for the license plate.
803 Section 6. This act shall take effect October 1, 2021.