The 2024 Florida state legislature voted passed a bill that would provide even more license plate options for state residents. According to the House Staff Analysis, currently, there are 113 specialty license plates available for sale and an additional 30 in presale. Specialty license plates are available to the owner or lessee of any motor vehicle who is willing to pay an annual use fee, in addition to the required license tax and fees. The collected fees are distributed by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to statutorily-designated organizations in support of a particular
cause or charity. 

​The bill — HB 403 — passed through the Senate unanimously and the House by an overwhelming majority, with 6 legislators voting against it: Beltran, Fine, Gregory (as always), Killebrew, Overdorf and Sirois.and was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 27, 2024. From the effective date of October 1, 2024, the organization has 60 days to submit the proposed art design for the specialty license plate to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Within 120 days of the specialty license plate becoming law, DHSMV must establish a method to issue presale vouchers for the specialty license plate. The applicant for a specialty license plate pays a $5 processing fee, a $2.50 service charge, a $.50 branch fee, and the annual use fee. All other applicable fees are paid at the time of issuance of the specialty license plate.

After the presale vouchers are established, the organization has 24 months to obtain a minimum of
3,000 voucher sales before manufacturing of the plate can begin. If the minimum sales requirement
has not been met by the end of the 24-month presale period, the specialty license plate is deauthorized,

The number of specialty license plates issued cannot exceed 135. If the Legislature approves more
than 135 specialty license plates, DHSMV cannot issue any new specialty license plates until a sufficient number of plates are discontinued in order to not exceed the limit.

That bill directs the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to proceed with the design and required presale of the plates.

The full list of license plates and changes approved in the bill are as follows:

Collegiate (themed around state and independent universities in Florida)
Funds will go toward corresponding universities as determined by the purchaser.

“Live the Dream”
The CEO/Executive Director of the Dream Foundation, and former lobbyist, Michael Dobson has been arrested and charged with embezzlement of over $250,000.00 and the state legislature has voted to cancel any funding to those organizations previously listed, including Sickle Cell Disease Association and instead award up to 5% of the funds to the Atlanta-based King Center as royalty fees for the use of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s image. The remaining funds will be placed into an account within the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund to support research for abandoned African-American cemeteries. According to the House Staff Analysis, On December 13, 2023, DHSMV issued a report which indicated that revenues associated with the 'Live The Dream' specialty license plate were being withheld as a result of unresolved audit findings. The report noted that the board of directors of the Dream Foundation, Inc., was non-operational, and, as of September 2023, the Dream Foundation, Inc., was listed as inactive with the Florida Division of Corporations. As of December 6, 2023, DHSMV was withholding $179,843, and there were 5,585 active 'Live The Dream' specialty license plates.
The House Staff Analysis stated that their would be a positive fiscal impact To the extent that if sales continue for the 'Live the Dream' License Plate, the Historical Resources Operating Trust Fund within the DOS will see an increase of revenues for the purpose of supporting the Historic Cemeteries Program. 
“American Eagle” 
The annual use fees from the sale of the plate must be distributed to the American Eagle Foundation for deposit in the foundation’s national endowment fund.

Divine Nine
The legislators changed the existing law to only Divine Nine members or their immediate family members are eligible for this license plate.

“Universal Orlando Resort”
Funds will be given to the Give Kids The World nonprofit, which seeks to provide “week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.”

Once the specialty license plate goes into production, organizations authorized for a distribution from the proceeds of the sale of the respective license plate will benefit. Therefore, the following organizations may see an increase in revenues:
 Various in-state colleges and universities
 Eligible grant entities under the Historic Cemeteries Program
 The American Eagle Foundation
 Nine Member Organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (Divine Nine)
 United Negro College Fund, Inc.
 Association to Preserve African American Society, History, and Tradition, Inc.
 Give Kids The World, Inc.
 SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc.
 Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Inc.
 Aerospace Center for Excellence
 The Villages Charter School, Inc.
 The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Inc.
 JDRF International Incorporated
 The UF Foundation, Inc.
 Recycle Florida Today Foundation, Inc.
 Captain Sandy Yawn, Inc.
 Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma, Inc.
 United Service Organizations, Inc

​The Florida Legislature is studying proposals to memorialize the late singer Jimmy Buffett by naming a state highway and a specialty license plate for him. They’ve also held “Jimmy Buffett Day” at their Capitol in Tallahassee.

With apologies to former coach and football analyst Lee Corso, I say not so fast, my friend. It’s the Mississippi Legislature that should be honoring this Mississippi-born superstar of the cultural arts.

Perhaps Mississippi could honor him with memorial highway signage on U.S. 90 along the Gulf Coast, plus an informational marker set by the Department of Archives and History. Buffett died suddenly on Sept. 1. 

​He was born in Pascagoula on Christmas of 1946 and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969 with a degree in history. He attended Auburn but soon left for Pearl River Community College and then USM. 

Buffett was a member of myriad garage and rock bands in high school and college. He earned daytime money as an apprentice electrician and welder. His “Coral Reefer Band” was founded in 1975.

​In 1969, he embarked on one of the most phenomenal music and business careers of its type in American history. At first he played for cash on New Orleans street corners, then moved to Nashville to play and write music and to work as a reporter for Billboard magazine.

At his death Buffett was worth a reported $1 billion built from the sales of more than 30 million records and revenues generated from the “Margaritaville” brand of restaurants, hotels, casinos and beach-flavored merchandise.

​Buffett’s father was a marine engineer, while his grandfather was a steamship captain. Their lives doubtlessly were the genesis for his song, “Son of a Son of a Sailor.”

Surely, both men’s experiences had a profound influence on Buffett's “island escapism” existence that was pursued by devoted “Parrotheads” living along the coastal waters of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

​“Margaritaville is just what Florida is all about. Jimmy Buffett is the icon of Florida,” the Associated Press quoted Florida State Sen. Gayle Harrell. “No one represents the open sun, beaches and music more than Jimmy Buffett and Margaritaville.” 

​That’s a nice assessment of the visionary entertainer and his Florida connections. However, Buffett never forgot his roots and was always quick to claim Mississippi as his home state. He’s ours. Reportedly, a young Buffett decided at a Biloxi folk-songs concert in 1961 that he wanted to sing for a living.

The AP reported that under the plans being considered at the Florida capitol, State Road A1A, the scenic highway that winds about 340 miles along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, would become Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.

Sponsors of the Florida legislation added an amendment to create a specialty license plate with the word “Margaritaville” — a trademark Buffett song he recorded in 1977 that jump-started his prodigious career as a songwriter and singer.

But, he’s not Florida’s. He was full bore Mississippi, and we mustn’t allow another state to upstage us in reminding the world about him and his unique talent.

The Mississippi Legislature could propose, pass and place a bill memorializing Buffett on Gov. Tate Reeves’ desk quicker than he can rail, “Tax cut!”

​Mac Gordon, a retired newspaperman, is a native of McComb. He can be reached at [email protected].

​The State of Florida has revealed its list of hundreds of personalized license plates considered to be too obscene for the road in 2023, which are rejected by the 3 person panel that reviews them.

The latest list included Florida vanity plates with submissions that included "03MF", "1FART", “BANGER”, “4FKSAKE”, “HARD”, "ICUTU", "MILFX", "MZNASTY”, "TRNS KLR",  "SWASTIK", "SHOOTR", “P00PIE1″ and "ZERO FKS"
Not sure if the FLHSMV is obligated or not to notify law enforcement of the most abusive instances. 
​Specialty plates are available to Floridians and can also be personalized for a fee. Drivers have several options for environmental, collegiate, sports, special interest and military license plates. The state charges a $15 annual fee for personalizing your plate.

​Florida has more than 120 specialty license plates that let drivers show their support for veterans, native species and their favorite sports teams.But now the News Service of Florida is reporting the state's iconic "orange blossom" standard plate design could be on the chopping block.

Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, revealed during a Senate Transportation Committee hearing Wednesday, the change is likely to come in 2025, but discussions about a new design are already underway.And Hooper admits there's a chance someone will propose a new design once lawmakers return to Tallahassee on January 9th.

“Some of us think it might be time to look at redesigning the official non-specialty license plate for the state of Florida, as probably 49 other states have done in the last 50 years,” Hooper said.

Florida’s familiar design with the two oranges has been around since 2003, when it replaced the single orange some people apparently thought looked too much like a peach. The Department of Agriculture added “MyFlorida.com” across the top and the bottom of the plate varies from county to county, where it sometimes reads “Sunshine State,” “In God We Trust” or the county name.

Florida’s specialty license plate program is on the road to growth, as a new law signed Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis codifies key changes.

Sen. Aaron Bean’s measure (SB 364) will begin the development process for license plates representing Inter Miami CF, Safe Haven for Newborns, Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research, Learn to Fly, Florida Swims, Down Syndrome Awareness, Take Stock in Children, and Gopher Tortoise.

The Bean bill was tweaked in the back-and-forth of the legislative process, with the Senate acceding to conditions from the House to close the deal.

The original Bean bill sought 150 specialty plates, but legislation passed by the House allows for 135 plates. Currently, 128 plates are available, and now another 40 tags are in the pre-sale status.

Under the new law, 3,000 pre-sales will be required for all plates, including out-of-state colleges, which had been set at 4,000, which will help Auburn University who now have 666 presale vouchers to be sold, instead of 1,666.

One plate was sacrificed: the Senate wanted an Ethical Ecotourism tag in the bill also. That was removed by the House, which did not consider that legislation in committees.

The bill also resets the 24-month clock on how long organizations have to reach the sales threshold number of 3,000.

Of the 60 recently authorized plates, 36 haven’t met the sales threshold required in order to be printed.

The bill won’t materially impact the bottom line of subsidiary governments, argued a staff analysis of the legislation from February: “According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the bill may have a negative, but insignificant, fiscal impact associated with programming costs. These costs can be absorbed within existing resources.”

As of June, 1, 2020, there were 1,928,972 specialty license plates on the roads in Florida, a record amount. Endless Summer leads the field with 117,765 followed by Helping Sea Turtles survive with 100,900. The new Disney/Make-A-Wish plate has already sold 25,846 since going on sale earlier this year.

Significant changes to the Live the Dream specialty plate were also approved in the new bill signed by the Governor, reducing the distribution to sickle cell disease organizations from 60% to 25%. Chapman Partnership's distribution was reduced from 30% to 22% and 43% is now available to the Dream Foundation for programs, with an additional 5% for administration, promotion and marketing.

The 'America the Beautiful' and 'Explore Off-Road' specialty license plates have met the voucher requirement. Purchasing presale vouchers are no longer required for this license plate to meet the requirements. However, if a customer wants to purchase a voucher, they may do so.
America the Beautiful and Explore Off-Road can now be purchased at your local Tax Collector's office. 

'Explore Off-Road' specialty license plate revenue goes to the Florida Off Road Foundation, Inc. The purpose of the Florida Off Road Foundation, Inc., is to provide and distribute funds to the foundation from the sale of the Florida Off Road license plates to help preserve and protect Florida’s off road natural habitat, environment, and other programs.
Up to 10% of the funds may be used for marketing of the plate, administrative costs directly associated with the creation of the plate, and administrative costs related to the distribution of proceeds, including annual audit services and compliance affidavit costs.
The remainder of the funds must be used by the Florida Off Road Foundation, Inc., to fund qualified non-profit organizations that protect and preserve Florida’s natural off-road habitat, educate Floridians about responsible use of the off-road environment; support civilian volunteer programs to promote the use of off-road vehicles to assist law enforcement in situations such as search and rescue; support organized cleanups, trail maintenance, and restoration; or preserve Florida’s off-road culture.

The America the Beautiful Fund is the fictitious name of Live Laugh Love Give, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida. Up to 10% may be used to offset administrative, marketing, and promotion costs. The remaining 90% is to be used for projects and programs teaching character, leadership, and service to Florida youth; the provision of support services and assistance to the military community; outdoor education advancing self-sufficiency; wildlife conservation; the maintenance of historic or culturally important sites, buildings, structures, or objects; and the development and modification of playgrounds, recreational areas, or other outdoor amenities, including disability access. 

The 'Divine 9' specialty license plates have met the voucher requirement. Purchasing pre-sale vouchers are no longer required for this license plate to meet the requirements. However, if a customer wants to purchase a voucher, they may do so. All nine are now on sale 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

To be eligible for issuance of a Divine Nine license plate representing an organization, a person must be a resident of this state who is the registered owner of a motor vehicle and who is a member of the applicable organization.
​1.The person must also present proof of membership in the organization, which may be established by:
a. A card distributed by the organization indicating the person’s membership in the organization; or
b. A written letter on the organization’s letterhead which is signed by the organization’s national president or his or her designated official and which states that the person was inducted into the organization.
2. Proof of membership in an organization is required only for initial issuance of a Divine Nine license plate. A person need not present such proof for renewal of the license plate.

​The annual use fees from the sale of the plate are to be distributed as follows:
10% solely for marketing of the plate from each of the nine fraternity/sorority plates goes to the Association to Preserve African-American Society, History, and Tradition (PAST), Inc..
5% of the proceeds are distributed to the United Negro College Fund, Inc., for college scholarships for Florida residents attending Florida's historically black colleges and universities.
The remaining 85% of the proceeds are distributed to the appropriate charitable foundations based on the purchaser’s selected license plate to promote community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities within this state.

​The United Negro College Fund’s mission is “to build a robust and nationally-recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practice in moving students to and through college.”

​Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (founded in 1908 at Howard University)
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (founded in 1906 at Cornell University)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (founded in 1913 at Howard University)
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (founded in 1963 at Morgan State College)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (founded as Kappa Alpha Nu in Indiana in 1911 and changed the name in 1915)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (founded in 1911 at Howard University)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (founded in 1914 at Howard University)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (founded in 1922 at Butler University)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (founded in 1920 at Howard University)

On May 5, 2022, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that University of Florida, which for decades was the highest selling specialty license plate in Florida, is changing the design of its specialty license plate. In February, 2022, UF dropped to the third highest by total sales, behind Helping Sea Turtles Survive and Endless Summer.
FLHSMV has asked the Tax Collector's that if an agency in their county needs this license plate type before the new license plate design is available, to please contact other agencies in their county, and transfer plates as necessary. If no license plates are available, please contact the Inventory Control Unit at (850) 617-2900 or
[email protected]. Orders will be filled by Central Supply or transferred from county-to-county to deplete the current supply. Approval and manufacture of personalized license plate orders will processed as usual.

UF has specialty license plates in six other states, (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Tennessee) all utilizing the same iconic green gator, but with differing slogans. The proposed new design is awaiting approval.

​According to the latest statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,  1,816,588 specialty license plates were sold in 2021 and a total of $39,472,454.00 was raised, the highest amount in the history of the program..
Prior to 2009, specialty license plate sales increased every year, despite the economic recession. On October 1, 2009, the Florida State Legislature significantly increased vehicle registration fees, particularly with respect to purchasing specialty license plates. In 2009, annual sales of Florida Specialty License Plates amounted to 1,623,486. After 2009, there was a 19.78% decline in Specialty Plate sales, reflecting approximately $7 million lost in annual revenue. 
In September, 2013, the Florida Legislature reduced some fees associated with vehicle registrations, however, did not address the significant increase in the cost to purchase a new specialty license plate that was imposed in 2009. Despite the increase in fees, specialty plates have now surpassed thospre-2009 numbers, although the number of Florida residents - and Florida registered vehicles - has also significantly increased.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Monday announced it had received more than $17,000 from the Sea Turtle Grants Program.
With the new funding, the aquarium says its veterinary team was able to purchase new medical equipment for sea turtle rehabilitation — including a new surgical exam table, a single head ceiling surgical light, a wound VAC and dressings, and a digital camera. Since receiving the equipment, CMA says more than 75 sea turtles have been treated.

The Sea Turtle Grants Program is partially funded by Florida's 'Helping Sea Turtles Survive' Specialty License Plate, according to the aquarium. The license plate is also the primary source of funding for Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Program. 
According to CMA, the grants program has awarded more than $2.7 million in grants for research, education and conservation programs to benefit sea turtles in Florida.