The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic
Development
BILL: CS/SB 666
INTRODUCER: Senator Jones
SUBJECT: Specialty License Plates/Miami Northwestern Alumni Association
DATE: March 25, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Shutes Vickers TR Fav/CS
2. Wells Nortelus ATD Pre-meeting
3. FP
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 666 authorizes the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to
create a new specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association. The annual
use fee for the plate is $25.
Proceeds of the sale of the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate will
be distributed to the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Inc. to fund need-based
scholarships, academic programs, and athletic programs for the benefit of Miami Northwestern
Senior High School students and the Miami Northwestern Senior High School Performing and
Visual Arts Center. Up to 10 percent of the funds from the sale of the plate can be used for
administrative and marketing costs.
The estimated fiscal impact associated with the implementation of new specialty license plates is
$8,280. See Section V. Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 666 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Inc., and Miami Northwestern Senior High
School
Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Inc., is a Florida not-for-profit corporation registered
with the Florida Department of State.
1
Miami Northwestern Senior High School is a four-year public high school with a student
population of 1,425 students in grades 9-12 located in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami.
2
The school’s website provides that “Miami Northwestern Senior High is dedicated to assisting
every student with authoring their page in the Bulls’ rich legacy of pride, tradition, and
excellence since 1955.”
3
The mission of the Performing and Visual Arts Program at Miami Northwestern Senior High
School is to “assure that all students have the opportunity to develop their artistic, creative, and
physical abilities research-based instructional strategies, technology-infused instruction, career
path exploration, community service opportunities, real-world learning, enhanced parental
involvement, and programs which include partnerships, talents, skill and abilities in a
challenging, safe, and nurturing environment.”
4
Specialty License Plates
According to DHSMV, as of February 2025, there are 133 specialty license plates authorized by
the Legislature. Of these plates, 113 are available for immediate purchase and 20 are in the
presale process. Specialty license plates are available to an owner or lessee of a motor vehicle
who is willing to pay an annual use fee, ranging from $15 to $25, paid in addition to required
license taxes and service fees.
5
The annual use fees are distributed to organizations in support of
a particular cause or charity signified on the plate’s design and designated in statute.
6
In order to establish a specialty license plate (after the plate is approved by law) s. 320.08053,
F.S., requires the following actions within certain timelines:
• Within 60 days, the organization must submit an art design for the plate, in a medium
prescribed by the DHSMV;
• Within 120 days, the DHSMV must establish a method to issue presale vouchers for the
specialty license plate; and
1
Florida Department of State: Division of Corporations, Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Inc. Sunbiz.org,
Document number N17000004247 (March 13, 2025).
2
Miami Northwestern Senior High School., Home - School Profile - Miami Northwestern Senior High School, (last visited
March 13, 2025).
3
Id.
4
Id.
5
Section 320.08056(3)(d), F.S., provides that except if specifically provided in s. 320.08056(4), the annual use fee for a
specialty license plate is $25.
6
Section 320.08058, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 666 Page 3
• Within 24 months after the presale vouchers are established, the organization must obtain a
minimum of 3,000 voucher sales before manufacturing of the plate may begin.
7
If the minimum sales requirement has not been met by the end of the 24-month presale period,
then the DHSMV will discontinue the plate and issuance of presale vouchers.
8
Upon
discontinuation, a purchaser of a presale voucher may use the annual use fee as a credit towards
any other specialty license plate or apply for a refund with the DHSMV.
9
New specialty license plates that have been approved by law but are awaiting issuance will be
issued in the order they appear in s. 320.08058, F.S., provided that presale requirements have
been met. If the next listed specialty license plate has not met the presale requirement, the
DHSMV will proceed in the order provided in s. 320.08058, F.S., to identify the next qualified
specialty license plate that has met the presale requirement.
10
If the Legislature has approved 135 or more specialty license plates, the DHSMV may not make
any new specialty license plates available for design or issuance until a sufficient number of
plates are discontinued so that the number of plates being issued does not exceed 135.
11
Use of Specialty License Plate Fees
The annual use fees collected by an organization and any interest earned from the fees may be
expended only for use in this state unless the annual use fee is derived from the sale of specified
United States Armed Forces and veterans-related specialty plates.
12
Additionally, organizations
must adhere to certain accountability requirements, including an annual audit or attestation
document affirming that funds received have been spent in accordance with applicable statutes.
13
The annual use fees collected by an organization and the interest earned from those fees may not
be used for commercial or for-profit activities, or general or administrative expenses, unless
authorized by s. 320.08058, F.S.
14
Additionally, the annual use fees and interest earned from
those fees may not be used for the purpose of marketing to, or lobbying, entertaining, or
rewarding, any employee of a governmental agency that is responsible for the sale and
distribution of specialty license plates, or any elected member or employee of the Legislature.
15
7
Chapter 2022-189, Laws of Fla., extended the presale requirement by an additional 24 months for an approved specialty
license plate organization that, as of June 15, 2022, is in the presale period but had not recorded at least 3,000 voucher sales.
8
Section 320.08058(3), F.S., provides that any collegiate plate established after October 1, 2002, must comply with the
requirements of s. 320.08053, F.S., other than the presale voucher requirements in s. 320.08053(2)(b), F.S., and be
specifically authorized by the Legislature.
9
Section 320.08053(2)(b), F.S.
10
Section 320.08053(3)(a), F.S.
11
Section 320.08053(3)(b), F.S.
12
Section 320.08056(10)(a), F.S.
13
Section 320.08062, F.S.; Such fees may be used to pay for the cost of this required audit or report. See s. 320.08056(10)(a),
F.S.
14
Section 320.08056(10)(a), F.S.
15
Section 320.08056(11), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 666 Page 4
Discontinuance of Specialty Plates
Prior to June 30, 2023, the DHSMV was required to discontinue the issuance of an approved
specialty license plate if the number of valid registrations fells below 1,000 plates for at least
12 consecutive months. A warning letter was mailed to the sponsoring organization following the
first month in which the total number of valid specialty license plate registrations fell below
1,000 plates. Collegiate plates for Florida universities were exempt from the minimum specialty
license plate requirement.
16
In addition, the DHSMV was authorized to discontinue any specialty
license plate if the organization ceased to exist, stopped providing services that are funded from
the annual use fee proceeds, or pursuant to an organizational recipient’s request.
17
However, effective July 1, 2023, the requirement increased so that the DHSMV must discontinue
the issuance of an approved specialty license plate if the number of valid registrations falls below
3,000, or in the case of an out-of-state college or university license plate, 4,000, for at least
12 consecutive months. The DHSMV must mail a warning letter to the sponsoring organization
following the first month in which the total number of valid specialty plate registrations is below
3,000, or in the case of an out-of-state college or university license plate, 4,000. This does not
apply to in-state collegiate license plates established under s. 320.08058(3), F.S., license plates
of institutions in and entities of the State University System, specialty license plates that have
statutory eligibility limitations for purchase, specialty license plates for which annual use fees are
distributed by a foundation for student and teacher leadership programs and teacher recruitment
and retention, or Florida professional sports team license plates established under
s. 320.08058(9), F.S.
18
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill amends s. 320.08058, F.S., to authorize the DHSMV to create a new specialty license
plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association. The annual use fee for the plate is $25.
The plate must bear the colors and design approved by the DHSMV, with the word “Florida” at
the top of the plate and the words “Miami Northwestern Alumni Association” at the bottom of
the plate.
Proceeds of the sale of the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate will
be distributed to the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Inc. The organization may use up
to 10 percent of the proceeds for marketing and promotion of the plate. Thereafter, the annual
use fees from the sale of the plate will be distributed to the Miami Northwestern Alumni
Association, Inc., to fund need-based scholarships, academic programs, and athletic programs for
the benefit of Miami Northwestern Senior High School students and the Miami Northwestern
Senior High School Performing and Visual Arts Center.
The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
16
Section 320.08056(8)(a), F.S.
17
Section 320.08056(8)(b), F.S.
18
Chapter 2020-181, s. 7, Laws of Fla. BILL: CS/SB 666 Page 5
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
If the specialty license plate is produced, the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association,
Inc. will receive annual use fees associated with sales of the plate.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The estimated fiscal impact associated with the implementation of new specialty license
plates is $8,280.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill amends section 320.08058 of the Florida Statutes. BILL: CS/SB 666 Page 6
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Transportation on March 18, 2025:
The committee substitute:
• Authorizes the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Inc. to use up to 10 percent
of the funds from the sale of the plate for administrative and marketing costs.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.