This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h0369a.TIE
DATE: 1/18/2022
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 369 Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate Cards
SPONSOR(S): Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee, McCurdy
TIED BILLS: CS/HB 371 IDEN. /SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 574
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Johnson Keating
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations
Subcommittee
3) Commerce Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Except as otherwise provided by law, every owner or person in charge of a motor vehicle that is operated or
driven on Florida’s roads must register the vehicle. A state-issued registration certificate provides proof that the
vehicle is registered.
The bill defines the term “registration certificate card” and requires the application form for motor vehicle
registration and renewal to include language permitting an applicant to request an optional registration
certificate card in addition to the required registration certificate. The bill also amends various statutory
provisions to allow registration certificate card to be used in lieu of a motor vehicle registration certificate.
The bill has a negative fiscal impact to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. HB 371 (2022),
which is linked to this bill, authorizes the imposition of fees for registration certificate cards, which may offset all
or some of the costs to DHSMV.
This bill takes effect on July 1, 2022, but only if HB 371 (2022) or similar legislation takes effect, if such
legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a law.
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FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Current Situation
Under Florida law, a vehicle must have a valid registration to operate on Florida’s roads. A complete
motor vehicle registration consists of the following and is evidence of having paid the appropriate
registration taxes and fees on a motor vehicle:
A license plate attached to the vehicle in the designated area;
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A registration certificate in the possession of the operator of the motor vehicle or carried in the
vehicle at all times;
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and
A registration decal, which is a sticker that is provided on the registration certificate. The
validation decal should be affixed in the square provided in the upper right-hand corner of the
license plate.
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Upon the receipt of an initial application for registration and payment of the appropriate license tax
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and
other required fees, DHSMV must assign to the motor vehicle a registration license number and issue
the owner or lessee a registration certificate.
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The motor vehicle registration certificate or other proof of registration must, at all times while the vehicle
is being operated, be in the possession of the motor vehicle operator or be carried in the vehicle. The
certificate must be exhibited upon demand of any authorized law enforcement officer or any agent of
DHSMV. This provision does not apply during the first 30 days after purchase of a replacement vehicle.
A violation is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation.
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Effect of the Bill
The bill defines the term “registration certificate card” to mean a card, the approximate size of a driver
license, which contains all of the information provided on a motor vehicle certificate of registration.
The bill requires the application for a motor vehicle registration and renewal of registration to include
language permitting an applicant to request a registration certificate card, and authorizes a registration
certificate card to be used in lieu of the required certificate of registration. This card may be issued as
proof of motor vehicle registration. The bill also makes it unlawful to alter a registration certificate card,
with a violation being a noncriminal traffic infraction. The bill amends various statutes to allow a
registration certificate card to be used in lieu of a motor vehicle registration certificate by:
Authorizing use of for a registration certificate card during reduced registration periods for
persons with a suspended driver license for driving under the influence.
Authorizing use of a replacement registration card when exchanging the registration for a
replacement vehicle or transferring the vehicle to a surviving spouse.
Authorizing notations on a registration certificate card indicating that the registration holder has
a license plate for persons with disabilities.
Authorizing use of a registration certificate card for former military vehicles and the temporarily
employed.
Authorizing a person to obtain a valid registration certificate card in order to avoid a penalty for
failure to have a valid registration.
Adding a registration certificate card to the list of documents a person must submit to an
inspector, supervisor, or authorized agent of DHSMV upon request.
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S. 316.605, F.S.
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S. 320.0605, F.S.
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S. 320.06(1)(b), F.S.
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License taxes are provided for in s. 320.08, F.S., and are based on the weight and type of motor vehicle.
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S. 320.06(1), F.S.
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S. 320.0605(1)(a), F.S. STORAGE NAME: h0369a.TIE PAGE: 3
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The bill also adds failure to exhibit a registration certificate card to the list of nonmoving violations
where one may still have “safe driver” marked on his or her driver license.
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2022, but only if HB 371 (2022) if similar legislation takes effect,
if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes a
law.
HB 371 (2022)
HB 371 (2022), to which this bill is linked, authorizes the collection of a mail service charge for delivery
of a registration certificate card, provides that a registration certificate card application is subject to a
service charge of $2.50, and provides that no additional tax, other than the $4.50 transfer fee, applies
to the transfer or exchange of a new license plate and for the issuance, at the request of the owner, of
a new registration certificate card.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1 Amends s. 320.01, F.S., providing definitions.
Section 2 Amends s. 320.02, F.S., relating to registration required; application for registration;
forms.
Section 3 Amends s. 320.055, F.S., relating to registration periods; renewal periods.
Section 4 Amends s. 320.06, F.S., relating to registration certificates, registration certificate cards,
license plates, and validation stickers generally.
Section 5 Amends s. 320.0605, F.S., relating to certificate of registration; possession required;
exception.
Section 6 Amends s. 320.0609, F.S., relating to the transfer and exchange of registration license
plates; transfer fee.
Section 7 Amends s. 320.061, F.S., relating to unlawful to alter motor vehicle registration
certificates, registration certificate cards, license plates, temporary license plates, mobile
home stickers, or validation stickers or to obscure license plates; penalty.
Section 8 Amends s. 320.07, F.S., relating to expiration of registration, renewal required; penalties.
Section 9 Amends s. 320.0843, F.S., relating to license plates for persons with disabilities eligible
for permanent disabled parking permits.
Section 10 Amends s. 320.086, F.S., relating to ancient or antique motor vehicles; horseless
carriage, antique or historical license plates; former military vehicles.
Section 11 Amends s. 320.1325, F.S., relating to registration required for the temporarily employed.
Section 12 Amends s. 320.58, F.S., relating to license inspectors; powers, appointment.
Section 13 Amends s. 320.27, F.S., relating to motor vehicle dealers.
Section 14 Amends s. 322.121, F.S., relating to the periodic reexamination of all drivers.
Section 15 Provides a contingent effective date.
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II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
DHSMV will incur costs to revise its procedures, update its website, make programming changes,
and update the Florida Highway Patrol’s (FHP’s) enforcement policies and training.
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Assuming one-fourth of all registrants opt for a registration certificate card, DSHMV estimates that
the cost of materials to implement the bill is $632,812.
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B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
Not applicable. This bill does not appear to require counties or municipalities to spend funds or take
action requiring the expenditure of funds; reduce the authority that counties or municipalities have to
raise revenues in the aggregate; or reduce the percentage of state tax shared with counties or
municipalities.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
This bill does not require or authorize rulemaking.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
DHSMV asserts may need additional time beyond the July 1, 2022, effective date to implement this bill
due to required programming and the distribution of equipment and materials necessary to print the
new registration certificate card.
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7
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Agency Analysis of House Bill 369, p.6. (Dec. 8, 2021)
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Id.
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DATE: 1/18/2022
IV. AMENDMENTS/ COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
On January 18, 2022, the Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy subcommittee adopted one amendment and
reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The amendment defined the term “registration certificate
card.”
This analysis is drafted to the committee substitute as approved by the Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy
Subcommittee.