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 Committee on Transportation
BILL: SB 1152
INTRODUCER: Senator Arrington
SUBJECT: Specialty License Plates/Florida Wildflower
DATE: March 31, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Shutes Vickers TR Pre-meeting
2. ATD
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 1152 increases the annual use fee for the existing Florida Wildflower specialty license plate
from $15 to $25, consistent with the annual use fee amount applicable to all new specialty
license plates. The bill provides that for a vehicle owner purchasing the Florida Wildflower
specialty license plate for more than 10 vehicles registered to that owner, the annual use fee
remains $15 per plate.
The bill will likely have an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on the public sector. See Section
V., Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
II. Present Situation:
Specialty License Plates
According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (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.
1
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.
2
1
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.
2
Section 320.08058, F.S.
REVISED: BILL: SB 1152 Page 2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
Florida Wildflower Specialty License Plate
Current law provides that the $15 annual use fee from the sale of the Florida Wildflower
specialty license plate shall be distributed to the Florida Wildflower Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit
corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The proceeds must be used to
establish native Florida wildflower research programs, wildflower educational programs, and
wildflower grant programs to municipal, county, and community-based groups in this state.
7
According to DHSMV, in 2024 there were 33,988 total sales of the Florida Wildflower specialty
license plate.
8
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill amends s. 320.08056, F.S., to increase the annual use fee of the Florida Wildflower
specialty license plate from $15 to $25, except for an owner purchasing the specialty license
plate for more than 10 vehicles registered to that owner, the annual use fee remains at $15 per
plate.
The $25 annual use fee is consistent with the amount established in s. 320.08056(3)(d), F.S.,
which is applicable to all new specialty license plates.
The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
3
Section 320.08056(10)(a), F.S.
4
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.
5
Section 320.08056(10)(a), F.S.
6
Section 320.08056(11), F.S.
7
Section 320.0858(27)(b), F.S.
8
Email from Jonas Marquez, Director of Legislative Affairs, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, RE:
Information Request, regarding specialty license plate sales (February 4, 2025). BILL: SB 1152 Page 3
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 annual use fee increases from $15 to $25, the Florida Wildflowers Foundation, Inc.,
will experience an indeterminate positive fiscal impact associated with increased
revenues available to the foundation.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill amends section 320.08056 of the Florida Statutes. BILL: SB 1152 Page 4
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.