​House Bill 355, was filed on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, by Representative Dr. James Bush III, (D-Miami Dade), a retired teacher who was a state representative from 1992-2000, 2008 and more recently 2018 to the present. This is the only bill he has filed so far.
The bill seeks to revise the distribution of annual use fees from the sale of ‘Live the Dream’ license plates and reduces distribution to Sickle Cell organizations from 60% to 40%, and provides for the distribution of 35% to The Dream Foundation, based in Tallahassee, Florida and led by Michael Dobson, a former lobbyist, for "programs and services relating to the ‘Dream Reentering Citizens Fund’, as follows: 
10% shall be used for administrative costs associated with the operation of the Dream Foundation, Inc., and for marketing and promoting the license plate. 
10% shall be used for programs and services provided directly by the Dream Foundation, Inc., which assist inmates released from the Department of Corrections in successfully reentering the community.
15% shall be distributed as grants to administer and market programs and services throughout this state which assist inmates released from the Department of Corrections in successfully reentering the community."
The existing statutory language that was changed in 2020 providing for distribution to the Miami-based Chapman Partnership, Inc for programs for relief of poverty, hunger and homelessness is replaced with proposed language that states that at least 20% shall be distributed as scholarships to high school seniors in this state, at least one of whose parents or legal guardians is incarcerated, for the purpose of attending a state university, a Florida College System institution, a career center operated by a school district under s. 1001.44, or a charter technical career. Scholarships shall be awarded through a competitive application process overseen by a scholarship program committee composed of one representative from a PACE Center for Girls, one representative from Children of Inmates, Inc., one representative from Living Stones International, Inc., and one representative from the executive team or board of the Dream Foundation, Inc. Fiscal oversight of the scholarship program shall be performed by a certified public accounting firm. 
The existing provision of “up to 5% may be distributed by the department on behalf of the Dream Foundation, Inc., to The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc., as a royalty for the use of the image of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the license plate," remains intact.

​Sen. Dennis Baxley (R-Lady Lake) and Rep. Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) succeeded in getting their specialty plate bill through the quagmire of committees and floor amendments, including quashing an amendment that came before the Senate on final vote by Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando), to try to add three more plates, Toastmaster, Gopher Tortoise and Orlando United. 
The bill was transmitted to the Governor for approval on 6/28/21 and signed on 6/30/21 and has now been enrolled in law.
The proposed new specialty plates under SB 676 are:
FLORIDA STATE PARKS LICENSE PLATES. “Explore our State Parks” - Florida State Parks Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit Florida corporation. With 10% for promotion and marketing and administration of the foundation - originally sponsored by Rep Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) and Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Lady Lake)
“SUPPORT HEALTHCARE HEROES” LICENSE PLATES.- Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund within the Department of Health to provide financial support for prehospital medical services pursuant to s. 401.113. There is no provision for marketing and administration.
“PROTECT BISCAYNE BAY” LICENSE PLATES.— The Miami Foundation, Inc., a Florida nonprofit CORPORATION. With 10% for promotion and marketing and administration. Originally filed by Rep Nicholas X Duran (D-Miami), who strangely did not vote on the bill, unless he was absent, and Senator Ileana Garcia (R- Miami
“DISEASE PREVENTION & EARLY DETECTION” LICENSE PLATES.— The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate, 485 Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation. With 10% for promotion and marketing. Originally sponsored by Rep Felicia Robinson (D-Miami Gardens) and Senator Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach.)
“HONOR FLIGHT” LICENSE PLATES.— distributed equally among the Honor Flight Network hubs in this state, each of which is a nonprofit corporation. With 10% for promotion and marketing. Originally filed by Rep Brett Thomas Hage (R-Sumter County) and Senators Danny Burgess (R-Pasco, Polk Hillsborough) and Senator Dennis Baxley R-Lady Lake).

​“PROTECT MARINE WILDLIFE” LICENSE PLATES.— for the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., to fund its conservation, research, and educational programs that focus on the conservation of Florida’s threatened and protected marine wildlife species. With 10% for promotion and marketing and administration. Originally filed by Rep Jim Mooney (R-KeyLargo).
30A.COM/SCENIC WALTON LICENSE PLATES. “Support Scenic Walton” Scenic Walton, Inc., a nonprofit Florida corporation to be used to preserve and enhance the beauty and safety of Walton County With 10% for marketing and administration. 
A special Army of Occupation plate was approved for cold war veterans.

​The bill also includes amendments to the Indian River Lagoon license plate with significant changes to the distribution of funding, with the first $5 million annually going to the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Council must contain the fish “snook,” which has been used as the Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management logo, suspended over seagrass, and must bear the colors and design approved by the department.
The bill directs the IRL Council to administer projects in Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River Counties from funds derived from the appropriate percentage of license plate revenues, and for the South Florida Water Management District to administer projects in St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties.
The bill provides that in Volusia County, project implementation may occur in all estuarine waters extending north to and including the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program’s Indian River Lagoon-Halifax River planning boundary amendments that include the Tomoka Basin and in Palm Beach County, first priority must be given to projects within the Indian River Lagoon, and second priority must be given to projects within adjacent estuarine waters, including the Loxahatchee River and other tributaries to the Indian River Lagoon.

​For the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, ("Deer Tag") the name was updated from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission citizen support organization to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc., and promotion of hunting was added to preserving open space and wildlife habitat, promoting conservation, improving wildlife habitat, and establishing open space for the perpetual use of the public. They did not amend the 25% allocation for promotion, marketing and administration.

Governor DeSantis signed the bill into law and the voucher presale for these 7 new plates will commence on October 1, 2021

​“I appreciate the members of the Florida Highway Patrol who have volunteered to represent the state of Florida and answer the call to assist fellow law enforcement agencies along the southern border,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “I thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership on this issue and his continued support of law enforcement.”
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state law enforcement officers have deployed to Texas to provide additional support in response to the security crisis at the southern border.
“When the Governors of Texas and Arizona reached out for help, Florida answered the call,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are witnessing a catastrophe at the southern border under the Biden Administration. In recent months, we have seen people from the terrorist watch list, known sex offenders and a flood of fentanyl cross over the border. This is a national security crisis, and we must get it under control.”
Resources from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are deploying, including more than 50 staff law enforcement members from FDLE, FHP, and FWC and mission critical equipment. It is anticipated that personnel will be deployed for 16-day shifts. Over 20 county sheriff departments have pledged support to provide staffing resources to cover duties typically filled by the deployed officers.

​President Joe Biden today approved an emergency declaration for the state of Florida, making federal aid available, including equipment and other resources and authorizing FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts.
Additionally, a team of engineers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology is being sent to Surfside to determine whether a larger investigation that could impact building codes everywhere is needed.
The federal agency studies building structural failures and recommends changes to building codes, fire response and emergency communications, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Huergo.
The death toll from Thursday's partial collapse of a South Florida residential building has risen to four and the number of unaccounted increased by the dozens. Three bodies were found overnight from Thursday into Friday in the wreckage of Champlain Towers South, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah said, adding to one found early Thursday.
The number of people unaccounted for is now 159, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters, up from the figure of 99 that officials gave Thursday afternoon.

The only way to create a new Florida specialty license plate is to get a legislative bill sponsor and get a bill passed by the Florida Legislature and then signed by the Governor. Once passed, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motorist Services  (FLHSMV) will require the design to be to their specifications and a voucher pre-sale of 3,000 must be completed (4,000 for out-of-state colleges). 
The next legislative session will commence on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Committee Meetings will commence on Monday, September 20, 2021.

​There are currently 109 specialty license plates, with Blue Angels and Walt Disney World to be added to that number in the next few months. The new law caps the potential number of specialty license plates at 150, and the new law revises the process to discontinue low sellers and restructure the independent college license plates. 12 Independent colleges have opted to participate in a new simple standard template enacted by the law specifically for independent colleges and universities. All of those schools’ registrations act in a combined manner when the state determines its rankings. This includes: Lynn University, Florida Hospital College, St. Thomas University, Southeastern University, Florida College, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Keiser University, Ringling College of Art and Design, Eckerd College, Florida Southern, St. Leo University and Warner Southern University.
American Red Cross, Clearwater Christian College, Donate Organs, Pass it On, Hispanic Achievers and St. John's River specialty license plates have been de-listed for lack of sales in 2015/2016. Support Soccer has been de-listed in 2018 due to the sponsoring charity dissolving. 
The new law requires the Department  to approve the new proposed designs within 60 days of October 1, 2020 and establish a method to issue the specialty plate vouchers within 120 days after the specialty license plate becomes law. The method has now been published. Each proposed specialty license plate has 24 months to complete the voucher pre-sale. The proposed specialty plates will be taken in the order they appear in the statute, provided they have met the pre-sale requirement.

It is expected that on October 1, 2021, when SB 676 becomes law, which is awaiting the Governor's signature (the bill was transmitted to the Governor on 6/28/21 and has 15 days to sign or veto it), 7 more new Florida specialty license plates will be added to the presale program, each having to complete the 3,000 presale requirement within 2 years from the date of commencement of their presale:
Protect Marine Wildlife
Florida State Parks
Honor Flight
Biscayne Bay
Disease Prevention & Early Detection
30A.Com/Scenic Walton
Support Health Care Heroes
FLHSMV already has the programming for the voucher program in place and should launch the presale for this batch by December 1, 2021. 
With 111 existing plates, of the allowable 150 maximum slots available for specialty plates, and the prospect of the Department delisting more plates under the new sales requirements, there should be more than enough room for popular license plates to be added to the list in the coming years.

In 2008, a year when 4 more specialty plates were approved, (Play Tennis, Visit our Lights, In God We Trust and Horse Country) the Florida Legislature imposed a moratorium on the creation of new plates, which was extended during the 2014 Legislative Session to July 1, 2016. This bill also revised the requirements for requesting the approval of a specialty license by replacing the scientific sample survey of 30,000 Florida motor vehicle owners and an application fee of $60,000.00 with a pre-sale voucher, requiring the pre-sale of 1,000 vouchers at $30.00, after legislative approval.
During the moratorium, the Legislature proceeded to create 17 more specialty license plates, 15 of which were able to complete the pre-sell.
The last 4 plates to be created by the legislature under the previous 1,000 presale requirement effective 10/1/2014, were Fallen Law Enforcement Officers, Florida Sheriff's Association, Kaiser University and Moffitt Cancer Center. In 2019, a Blue Angels plate was approved, but the accompanying bill to authorize the fee did not. So, the bill was reintroduced in 2020 and passed and the Blue Angels plate has now completed its presale stage and is awaiting manufacturing.
Since 2015, more than 50 new plates, including a proposed plate for Auburn and Georgia Universities, have had bills filed each legislative session. All failed, until the 2020 legislative session wherein 33 new plates (42 including the Divine 9 black fraternity/sorority plates and the Blue Angels plate) were approved. 

Under current law, PRIDE, Inc., manufactures all license plates and validation stickers for FLDHSMV and FLDHSMV is not required by statute to obtain competitive bids in order to contract with that corporation. 
The ‘Digital License Plate Pilot Program’ bill, CS/SB 862, sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), a CPA, was brought up before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, chaired by Senator George B Gainer (R-Panama City) an automobile dealer, on April 8, 2021 and the bill language was amended to conform to the current House version of the bill (CS/HB 695), however, it was met with a very hostile reception and the bill narrowly passed by a 7-4 vote, with some Senators stating that although they were supporting it in that Committee, they would "need substantial convincing to further support it" in the next and final Committee stop, Appropriations.

SB 676, sponsored by Senator Dennis Baxley, (R-Lady Lake) creating a number of new specialty plates was passed quickly and unanimously (11-0), including an amendment to add two new specialty plates – ‘Florida Swims’ and ‘30A.com/Scenic Walton’ to the other 11 proposed new plates. 
​Following on from that well-received bill presentation, Senator Gruters provided a quick summary of the strike all amendment of CS/SB 862 and a brief description of the ‘pilot program’, stating that the Department would try 5-10 digital plates on state owned vehicles for one year before the plates would be made available to Florida vehicle owners. He explained that the digital plates could only be purchased after a customer had purchased a regular metal plate from the DMV. Then came the onslaught of questions from the Committee members.

Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), a paralegal and PR liaison in her twentieth year as a Florida legislator, was the first to question Gruters on the issue of whether the bill was limited to a sole vendor – namely Reviver, (or Reviver Auto or ReviverMX). Senator Gruters responded by stating that there were “multiple vendors out there” and when Senator Gibson asked him where Reviver were based out of, he responded “I’m not sure where that particular vendor is from,” which seems to contradict his recent statement in Reviver’s press release of February 9, 2021, wherein he is personally cited as quoting:
'"We look forward to working with Reviver and the ecosystem of vehicle compliance their platform and digital license plates will provide our DMV and our citizens. The expressive nature of their digital plates provides untapped opportunities for valuable communications." said Senator Joe Gruters, (R – Sarasota).'
The House bill sponsor, Representative Nick Duran (D–Miami), Executive Director of Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, is also quoted in that same press release: "Bringing digital license plates to Florida helps to pave the way into a more connected future. Florida has always been on the cutting-edge of technology and allowing the use of this technology can bring large-scale efficiency and savings to the over 17 million registered vehicles in our state."

Senator Gruters stated that the Reviver plate is the “same technology as an iPad." He also stated that “a single vendor will do the pilot program” and then it “will open up to all vendors as long as they meet the requirements.” And that “there are at least three vendors, so they will be ready when the pilot program ends.”
Senator Janet Cruz (D-Tampa), an optician/healthcare executive in her tenth year as a Florida legislator, questioned the single vendor sense of the bill and Senator Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne), a retired banking executive in her thirteenth year as a Florida legislator and the Senate Majority Leader, stated that there is only one vendor and they "only have plates on sale in two states, California and Arizona, and have only sold a total of 4,000 plates" and questioned that at a time when the legislature is focusing on numerous bills that seek to protect privacy, “how are you protecting privacy from a private company?” and that it clearly sounds like a “big vendor bill.”
The FCC Notice Compliance on the Reviver website states: “This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.  Operation is subject to the following two conditions:  1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.”
Senator Gruters again reiterated that there are “multiple vendors” and that he had “personally talked to multiple vendors about this,” but did not disclose the names of those multiple vendors.

​Senator Annetee Taddeo (D-Miami), founder and CEO of LanguageSpeak, expressed her concern that although it was labelled as a pilot program, in year two, the bill provides that it automatically expands to the general public, no matter what the result of the one-year ‘pilot program’ was. So, it was not technically a pilot program.
Senator Ed Hooper, (R-Palm Harbor), a retired firefighter and a partner with Consus Group, LLC and Vice Chair of the Committee, had clearly done some homework prior to the hearing and stated that “Reviver is the sole manufacturer” and he said that the “RPlate is $500 plus $18 a month and the RPlatePro was $600 with $25 a month and a 3 year agreement.” He also stated that if the vehicle stops for 4 seconds, it displays advertisements which would distract everyone. He stated that “there is an odor to this” and said it “smells like a 3-day dead raccoon.” and that it is nothing more than “a sweetheart deal for someone and the PRIDE dollars does not impress me.”
​Apparently, a dead raccoon is a bad omen since it foretells that you are about to receive some bad news – it could be regarding a family member in trouble or a break-up. It could also mean that you are going to discover some harsh truths regarding how you have hurt others, or about some illness. (courtesy: TheAstrologyWeb.com)

Senator Mayfield concurred and said that if “it doesn’t smell right, it usually means we are not feeling right and that she would vote for it today, but would not vote for it in Appropriations, unless the sponsor explains it better, “It smells like a vendor bill to me.” Senator Cruz concurred that she would also have trouble voting for it in Appropriations.
Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), whose occupation is insurance and investments and in his eleventh year as a Florida legislator, stepped up to Senator Gruters aid and stated that he "would not vote for exclusively voting for one vendor but if the DMV approves it, it will open up to other vendors" and so it did not appear to him to be a one vendor bill and therefore would support it.
Senator Loranne Ausley (D-Quincy) an attorney with Holliman, PA, who was first elected to the House in 2000, also showed concern regarding the label ‘pilot program’ and said “normally for a pilot program, there is information that comes back before it is opened up to the public – but this is automatic.” She also questioned that if it is a great deal for PRIDE, then it should be a great deal for the inmates who make the plates who want to change their lives. She also stated that the digital billboard offended her and stated “I call it visual pollution’ and said she has a “lot of questions and concerns before Appropriations and I need answers.” “I will support it today but may have more questions in the future.” 
Senator Taddeo stated that she “votes for all tech, but I have a problem with one vendor and that it automatically expands to consumers.” She was concerned with the privacy issues and “a lot more needs to be massaged and it is not ready and I will vote against it today.”

​Incidentally, the much discussed $4.00 payment to PRIDE was in a previous iteration of the bill and was deleted and is not contained in either the Senate amendment or the House version, a fact that even the bill sponsor was apparently not aware of, given the extended discussions on that subject, which arose after he raised the issue in support of garnering approval for the bill. That happens sometimes when lobbyists provide the amendment for their Principals and staffers file them and don’t advise their members fully or update the member’s one sheet for the bill presentation. It may have shortened the bill discussion by a full ten minutes.

Senator Gruters summed up by stating that he had “personally talked to other vendors” and had received calls from other companies. He stated that he believes that manufacturers will ultimately incorporate the digital plate into the vehicle, that “the tech is to broaden our spectrum and it is time to move with the times and understand the tech is here.” He ended with stating that he was “so glad we had so many questions on this bill.”

As of today, the only lobbyist firm that had registered regarding SB 862 was Ted Smith for the Florida Automobile Dealers Association. On the House side, for HB 695, Jorge Chamizo and Cory Guzzo of Floridian Partners had registered on behalf of Reviver Auto. Cory Guzzo does have SB 862 in parentheses.
Reviver Auto are registered as a principal on the lobbyist registration website, with an address of 4000 E 3Rd Ave, Suite 150, Foster City, CA 94404-4829. Industry Code: 423120 Automobile accessories (except tires, tubes) merchant wholesalers, which was filed on 1/4/2021. 
SB 862 was filed by Senator Gruters on 1/27/21.
HB 695 was filed by Rep Nicholas Duran (R-Miami), on 2/2/21 and is cosponsored by Rep Alison Tant (D-Tallahassee) an Independent Education Management Professional in her first term as a legislator. 

On 4/8/21, The house bill was added to the Special Order Calendar for 4/15/21. There is no requirement for a $4.00 payment to PRIDE in the house bill and on 4/9/21 a Floor amendment has been timely filed to add “By July 1, 2022, the department shall allow a motor vehicle registered under this chapter to be equipped with a digital license plate in lieu of a physical license plate issued under s. 320.06 upon a determination that the information on the digital license plate display is readable by current automated license plate recognition hardware and software. However, the purchaser of a digital license plate must first obtain a physical license plate from the department before obtaining a digital license plate from a digital license plate provider.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee is the next scheduled stop for the Senate bill and is chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), an investment property manager in her thirteenth year as a Florida legislator and the vice-chair is Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville), a Relationship Development Officer for UF Health Jacksonville and a licensed auctioneer, who was first elected to the House in 2000. Senators Gainer, Gibson, Hooper, Mayfield and Perry are also Appropriations Committee members. There  are 12 Republicans and 8 Democrats on the Committee.
Whether the Senate bill will be carried by partisan politics in deference to Senator Gruters will remain to be seen. 

Under current law, PRIDE, Inc., manufactures all license plates and validation stickers for FLDHSMV and FLDHSMV is not required by statute to obtain competitive bids in order to contract only with PRIDE. 
The ‘Digital License Plate Pilot Program’ bill, CS/SB 862, sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), a CPA, was brought up before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, chaired by Senator George B Gainer (R-Panama City) an automobile dealer, on 4/8/21 and the bill language was amended to conform to the current House version of the bill (CS/HB 695), however, it was met with a very hostile reception and the bill narrowly passed by a 7-4 vote, with some Senators stating that although they were supporting it in this Committee, they would need "substantial convincing to further support it" in the next and final Senate Committee stop: Appropriations.

After SB 676, sponsored by Senator Dennis Baxley, (R-Lady Lake) creating a number of new specialty plates was passed quickly and unanimously (11-0), including an amendment to add two new specialty plates – ‘Florida Swims’ and ‘30A.com/Scenic Walton’ to the other 11 proposed new plates.
Following on from that well-received bill presentation, Senator Gruters provided a quick summary of the strike all amendment of CS/SB 695 and a brief description of the ‘pilot program’, stating that the Department "would try 5-10 digital plates on state owned vehicles for one year before the plates would be made available to Florida vehicle owners." He explained that the digital plates could only be purchased after a customer had purchased a regular metal plate from the DMV. Then came the onslaught of questions from the Senate Committee members.

Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), a paralegal and PR liaison in her twentieth year as a Florida legislator, was the first to question Gruters on the issue of whether the bill was limited to one vendor – namely Reviver, (or Reviver Auto or ReviverMX). Senator Gruters responded by stating that there were “multiple vendors out there” and when Senator Gibson asked him where Reviver was based out of, he responded “I’m not sure where that particular vendor is from,” which seems to contradict his recent statement in Reviver’s press release of February 9, 2021, wherein it states:
'"We look forward to working with Reviver and the ecosystem of vehicle compliance their platform and digital license plates will provide our DMV and our citizens. The expressive nature of their digital plates provides untapped opportunities for valuable communications." said Senator Joe Gruters, (R – Sarasota).'
The House bill sponsor, Representative Nick Duran (D–Miami) is also quoted in that same press release: "Bringing digital license plates to Florida helps to pave the way into a more connected future. Florida has always been on the cutting-edge of technology and allowing the use of this technology can bring large-scale efficiency and savings to the over 17 million registered vehicles in our state."

Some say it has been a longtime coming. Walt Disney world has taken the next step to create a very special Florida license plate that could be on vehicles on Florida roads by the end of this year.
The design of the newly proposed Walt Disney World Specialty License Plate features the “EARidescent” 50th anniversary castle logo on a majestic royal blue background. Inspired by the color scheme of Cinderella Castle, this magical plate is currently available for presale and will also help make even more dreams true, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida and their work granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Disney has a longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish, dating back to 1980, and since then, more than 140,000 Disney-inspired wishes have been granted, including thousands taking place at Walt Disney World Resort. This license plate is a unique opportunity to commemorate 50 years of Central Florida magic.
3,000 presale vouchers must be purchased before the DMV can create the Walt Disney World Specialty License Plate. 
Presale vouchers are available for purchase here.

Total SLP revenue for February, 2021 was $2,748,180.86 (compared to $2,578,156.00 for February, 2020). Endless Summer brought in $182,200.00 (compared to $155,350.00 in February, 2020), University of Florida brought in $156,125.00 (compared to $157,975.00 in February, 2020), Helping Sea Turtles Survive brought in $148,810.00 (compared to $138,230.00) and Florida State University brought in $119,375.00 (compared to $123,650.00).
The newly redesigned Support Law Enforcement black plate design continued to do very well and saw sales increase from $22,640.00 to $28,760.00, including an increase in new plate sales from 162 to 394. Similarly, the new Miami Marlins black design brought in $11,150.00 compared to $8,350.00.
Tampa Bay Bucs saw revenue increase from $65,575 (with 475 new plates) to $96,450.00 (1,406 new plates) and Miami Heat increased from $102,025.00 to $118,974.00.
Total sales of specialty plates for February 2021 was 117,054, compared to 111,023 in February, 2020.
Total sales of new issued plates was 18,555 in February, 2021 (compared to 16,842 in February, 2020).
Top selling new issued plates for February, 2021 were Endless Summer (1,746), Tampa Bay Bucs (1,406) and  Miami Heat (1,286). The lowest selling new plate sales, excluding the independent college plates were Agriculture Education (14) Scouting Teaches Values (17) Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches (22) Keep Kids Drug Free (13) Kids Deserve Justice (10) Moffitt Cancer Center (17)
Blue Angels have now been added to the DHSMV SLP list and showed $300.00 in revenue, although the plate is not actually on sale yet. Blue Angels is listed as retaining 12 plates. Hopefully the code for an existing organization is not being confused with the code for the Blue Angels (‘BA’).
University of Alabama (code U1) is also on the list (despite not having reached their 4,000 presell) and the data is showing revenue of $100.00 as ‘Miscellaneous Revenue.  Edward Waters College showed $25.00 in revenue, despite being delisted.

The month of February, 2021 saw a total of 1,979 presale vouchers sold, the lowest month since inception of the voucher sales in October, 2020. 
A total of 16,479 presale vouches have been sold as of March 14,2021, totaling $543,807.00.
Thank a Lineman saw the highest number of voucher sales in February (434) and now has sold 799 towards their 3,000 goal. Beat Childhood Cancer sold 221 and Explore off Road Florida sold 196.
There are still  3 plates that have not sold a single presale voucher: #15 America the Beautiful, #25 Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, #27 Johnson and Whales University and plates that have sold 5 or less are #10 Highwaymen, #17 American Eagle and #32 Florida Native.

12 new specialty license plates have been added to SB 676, which was initially to create the Florida State Parks plate.  The additional plates are “Support Health Care Heroes” to honor health care workers in light of the pandemic, "Disease Prevention and Early Detection", "Inter Miami CF" (soccer), "Orlando United", "Toastmasters", "Florida Gopher Tortoise", "Margaritaville" "Ethical Ecotourism" "Protect Biscayne Bay" "Honor Flight" and "Protect Marine Wildlife", designed by famed Vero Beach artist Steve Diossy. 
Steve Diossy also designed the top selling Florida specialty license plate "Endless Summer", as well as "Protect Wild Dolphins", "Protect Florida Whales", "Aquaculture" and "Save our Seas", among others.
“I think it’s a very important thing for the citizens to be able to make these donations to various charities, and license plates are a wonderful way to do it,” Senator Gayle Harell said.
The bill also adds a special plate not subject to the same pre-voucher requirements, the Army of Occupation Veterans. The special plate, a separate category from a specialty plate, is only available to service members honored with the award. The Army of Occupation medal is awarded to service members for 30 days of consecutive service while assigned to select foreign countries as part of an occupying force.
Florida State Parks
The state parks license plate House companion bill (HB 29) sponsored by Rep. Allison Tant is in its final of three committee stops. Next up is the House Commerce committee.
According to the Senate Committee on Transportation bill analysis the Florida State Parks Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1993 and supports the Florida State Park system through programs that preserve and protect state parks, educate visitors about the value of state parks, encourage community engagement and active use of state parks, and provide financial support to supplement state funding.
Inter Miami CF
The Inter Miami CF Foundation Corporation is an organization which uses the game of soccer as a catalyst for positive change in the South Florida community. They focus on education and empowerment, access and inclusion and health and wellness for kids and young adults in underserved communities. The Inter Miami CF Foundation Corporation uses the clubs reach, expertise and resources to strategically plan and execute sports-based development and direct-service community programs, initiatives and events. They invest in, enhance and support existing organizations that align with their mission while developing their own programs: all with the goal of measurable results and scalable impact.
Toastmasters International
Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association). Smedley was director of education at the YMCA and he saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees. He decided to organize a club where they could learn these skills in a social environment. He named this group the Toastmasters Club; “toastmaster” was a popular term that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions.
Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. The organization’s membership exceeds 358,000 in 142 countries. Toastmasters International is not listed in the Department of State Division of Corporations sunbiz.org database as a Florida business entity.
In 1965 the Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund was established to honor and uphold Ralph C. Smedley’s legacy and to open doors for the many millions of potential Toastmasters yet to come. Though the historic fund had humble beginnings with a local impact, the reinvigorated Smedley Fund retains its same purpose—the advancement of communication and leadership education through the research, development, and distribution of educational programs and materials.
Gopher Tortoise
The Wildlands Conservation is a non-profit organization, created in 2003, specializing in conservation planning and policy, land management, land protection, research, education and outreach. The Wildlands Conservation works on conservation projects throughout Florida. They strive to work with landowners and others around the state to maximize conservation and minimize impacts, which can be costly to that landowner. Wildlands offers gopher tortoise relocation in an attempt to save tortoises from sites permitted for development. They are committed to ensuring that gopher tortoise survey and relocation work is done thoroughly and as professionally as possible to protect gopher tortoises across the state.
The bill directs the annual use fees to be distributed to Wildlands Conservation, Inc., to fund gopher tortoise and commensal species research, education, and conservation, as well as upland habitat protection, restoration, and management in this state. Up to 15% of the funds received by Wildlands Conservation, Inc., may be used for marketing of the plate and costs directly associated with the administration of the gopher tortoise protection program. Wildlands Conservation, Inc., shall use and distribute the funds to eligible Florida-based scientific, conservation, and educational organizations for gopher tortoise and upland habitat research, conservation, and management
Orlando United
36% of the proceeds of the plate will go to the Mental Health Association of Central Florida, including 5% for marketing and promotion and 5% may be used for administrative purposes. The remainder shall be used to offer free personalized counseling to any person affected by the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Mental Health Association of Central Florida has been serving the mental health needs of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, and Lake counties since 1946. Their mission is to provide mental health services, support and information to the members of the Orlando and surrounding Central Florida community.
33% of the proceeds of the plate will go to the onePULSE Foundation including 2% for marketing and promotion and 5% may be used for administrative expenses. The remainder shall be used to offer free personalized counseling to any person affected by the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. onePULSE Foundation was established to create a sanctuary of hope following the tragic day of June 12, 2016. The foundation was created to honor the 117 victims and the countless first responders and healthcare professionals who treated them. The foundation is intended to support a memorial that opens hearts, a museum that opens minds, educational programs that open eyes and endowed scholarships that open doors. All donations are used for the construction and operation of the National memorial and museum, educational programs and Legacy Scholarships.
31% shall be distributed to the Two Spirit Health Services including 5% that may be used for administrative expenses. Two Spirit Health Services is a non- profit corporation incorporated in 2011. They provide mental health, behavioral, substance abuse, primary care, transgender health, and related services to individuals in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community who live in and around the Central Florida area.
Protect Biscayne Bay
The bill directs the annual use fees to be distributed to the Miami Foundation, Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation, to be used as follows:
Up to 10% of the fees may be used for promotion and marketing of the license plate and for direct reimbursement for administrative costs, startup costs, and costs incurred in the development and approval process of the license plate. All vendors associated with administrative costs shall be selected by competitive bid.
The remaining fees shall be used to raise awareness and support the mission and efforts of conserving Biscayne Bay. The Miami Foundation Board of Trustees must approve and is accountable for all such expenditures.
The Miami Foundation, founded in 1967, seeks to encourage philanthropy and charitable giving by developing a permanent endowment to meet current and future emerging charitable needs. Grants are made in broad program areas including education, health, human services, arts and culture, the environment, and community and economic development. In addition, field of interest and special funding initiatives have enabled significant grant making addressing the issues of abused and neglected children, immigrants and refugees, AIDS, homelessness, social justice, African-American affairs, care of animals, and heart disease.
Margaritaville
The bill directs the DHSMV to retain all annual use fees from the sale of the plate until all startup costs for developing and issuing the plate have been recovered. Thereafter, up to 10% of the annual use fee revenue may be used for administration, promotion, and marketing of the specialty license plate. All remaining proceeds shall be used by the SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc., to provide grants to nonprofit organizations in communities impacted by natural or manmade disasters for purposes of recovery, rebuilding, and future sustainability and to promote and inspire local grassroots leaders who work to improve the quality of life in those communities and other communities in this state.
The SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1994. The SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc., does business as the Singing for Change Foundation, which is a private foundation established in 1995 by Jimmy Buffett, as a way of saying thank you to the friends, fans, and concert-goers around the country who have loyally supported his music career.
Initially funded with contributions from Jimmy Buffett's 1995 summer tour, Singing for Change continues to receive one dollar from each concert ticket sold during his tours. Printed on the bottom of each ticket is the words "$1 to SFC Charitable Foundation." Funds raised during Jimmy Buffett's concert tours are redistributed each year in the form of grants to small, grassroots organizations located primarily in communities where he performs. Singing for Change has disbursed almost $11 million in grants in its 23-year history.
Protect Marine Wildlife
The bill directs the DHSMV to retain all annual use fees from the sale of the plate until all startup costs for developing and issuing the plate have been recovered. Thereafter, up to 10% of the annual use fee revenue may be used for administration, promotion, and marketing of the specialty license plate. All remaining proceeds shall be used by the Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., to fund its conservation, research, and educational programs that focus on the conservation of Florida’s threatened and protected marine wildlife species.
Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., d/b/a Protect Wild Dolphins, operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, including but not limited to the support and conduct of research, scientific and educational activities for the protection and preservation of marine mammals, including, but not limited to, release to the wild programs, the rescue, rehabilitation, release and/or retirement of marine mammals as well as the establishment and operation of a safe haven for unwanted and/or surplus dolphins and other marine mammals.
Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance rescues and rehabilitates stranded marine mammals in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation and believes in the humane treatment of all sick and injured marine animals and seeks to advance the One Ocean One Health concept in order to protect ocean heritage.
Disease Prevention and Early Detection
The bill directs the annual use fees to be distributed to the Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate, Inc., which may use a maximum of 10% of the proceeds to promote and market the plate. The remainder of the proceeds shall be used by The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate, Inc., to provide increased education and awareness relating to early detection, prevention, and screening of breast and heart issues.
The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative (WBHI), established in 2005, is a nonprofit outreach organization piloting communities toward lifesaving, preventive self-care. Through boots-on-the-ground education and screening initiatives, WBHI encourages and supports social responsibility, community organization and the good health of women. Through strategic partnerships with local colleges and universities, health care partners and professional entities, WBHI has established a network of dedicated and compassionate volunteers. Their relationships with professors and student volunteers in particular help further their goals and provide real-time examples of how the power of the individual can enact social change
Honor Flight
The annual use fees from the sale of the plate must be distributed equally among the Honor Flight Network hubs in this state, each of which is a nonprofit corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, to be used as follows:
Up to 10% of the fees may be used for promotion and marketing of the license plate.
The remaining fees must be used to further the Honor Flight Network’s mission of transporting military veterans to Washington, D.C., in order to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the United States.
The bill also amends s. 320.08056, F.S., to exclude the Honor Flight license plate from the restriction that all fees and any interest earned from the fees may be expended only for use in this state.
Honor Flight’s mission is to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country. It is a national network of independent hubs working together to further Honor Flight’s mission. The network currently serves veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, as well as terminally ill veterans who served during any era. Florida’s Honor Flight Network hubs are non-profit corporations under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Honor Flight Hubs in Florida include Collier-Lee, First Coast, Central Florida, West Central Florida, South Florida, Tallahassee, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, Space Coast, and The Villages
Ethical Ecotourism
The bill directs the annual use fees to be distributed equally between the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism and Paddle Florida, Inc., each of which may use up to 10% of such proceeds for administrative costs and the marketing of the plate. The remaining proceeds must be used by the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism to provide environmental education and awareness that encourage behaviors that contribute to the sustainability of Florida’s natural ecosystems and resources and by Paddle Florida, Inc., to raise awareness about water conservation, wildlife preservation, restoration of springs, and protection of waterways in this state.
In 1998 the CREW Land and Water Trust and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve received a grant from the Advisory Council of Environmental Education, within the Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission, to provide an educational workshop for ecotour providers of Southwest Florida. As a result of the grant, a day-long Southwest Florida Eco/Heritage Tourism Workshop took place in downtown Ft. Myers in which 85 people participated.49
Following the workshop, a group of volunteers from Southwest Florida communities met and formed the Society for Ethical Ecotourism in Southwest Florida. In 2011 they changed their name to the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism, Inc. The Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism, Inc., is registered as an active nonprofit corporation with the Florida Department of State.
Paddle Florida, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation organized to support canoeing and kayaking in Florida. The organization supports multi-day paddling/camping trips in each of Florida's five water management districts, showcasing the state’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage while promoting water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection. Paddle Florida seeks to promote Florida as an international destination for nature-based tourism.
Support Healthcare Heroes
The annual use fees from the sale of the plate must be distributed annually into the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund within the Department of Health to provide financial support for prehospital medical services pursuant to s. 401.113, F.S.

​The DHSMV is authorized to retain revenues from the first proceeds of specialty license plate sales to defray departmental expenditures related to the specialty license plate program.

​HB 1267  Specialty License Plates Marketed and Sold by Private Vendors is sponsored by Rep John Snyder (R-Palm Beach) who lives in Stuart and is a Staffing and Payroll Services business owner. Rep Snyder (33) graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University, with a BS in Marketing. His father is William D. Snyder, who served in the Florida House of Representatives (2006-2012) and is now the Martin County Sheriff. Rep Snyder was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007-2012 and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Rep Snyder beat out former Rep Carl Domino and lawyer Rick Kozell in a very expensive Republican primary and he replaced state Rep. MaryLynn Magar (R-Tequsta), who was term-limited. Rep Snyder raised and spent $209,344.00, according to campaign finance reports, and captured nearly 65% of the votes in a landslide victory over Democrat Elisa Ackerly (56) who garnered 35%. 
​HB 1269 Fees/Specialty License Plates Marketed and Sold by Private Vendors  is sponsored by Rep Adam Botana (R-Lee County), from Bonita Springs who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020. Rep Botana works in the Carnival Industry, Food and Beverage and Marina Industry and has a GED.

The Senate companion bill to authorize the fees contained in HB 1269 is SB 1862 Fees/Specialty License Plates Marketed and Sold by Private Vendors sponsored by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Miami Dade/Monroe), who has also filed SB 1930, the companion bill to HB 1267.
Senator Rodriguez served as a City of Doral Councilwoman (2010-2018) and Vice Mayor (2017-2018) She served in the House of Representatives (2018-2020) and was elected to the Senate in 2020. She is the Senior Vice President of Miami Realtors and received an M.S., Leadership, at Nova Southeastern University, H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business in 2009 and before that attended Florida International University, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, receiving a B.S., Communications in 1999.
Senator Rodriguez replaced term-limited Republican incumbent Anitere Flores and defeated her Democratic challenger Javier Fernandez. A child of Cuban immigrants, Senator Rodríguez has lived in South Florida all her life. Before she got her start in politics, she worked as a lobbyist for the Miami Association of Realtors and Baptist Health South Florida.

The proposed Specialty License Plates Marketed and Sold by Private Vendors bill will have an effective date of July 1, 2021. The bills provide for the following:
To create the new plates, the private vendor program will require the DHSMV to enter into a contract with an experienced private vendor whose proposal is most advantageous to the state, as determined from competitive sealed proposals that satisfy the requirements of this section, for the exclusive vendor rights to market and sell specialty license plates. 
The bills state that the department shall enter into a contract with an experienced private vendor based on the sealed competitive bid for an initial term of at least 5 years, renewable with the same private vendor for up to two successive terms of 5 years each, after which the contract must then be competitively bid. Competitive unsealed bids can then be submitted after 15 years.
DHSMV has to certify to the Chief Financial Officer an estimate, with a detailed explanation of the basis on which the estimate is calculated, of all reasonable costs to the department associated with the evaluation of competitive sealed proposals received by the department and with the implementation and enforcement of a contract entered into, including direct, indirect, and administrative costs for the issuance or renewal of private vendor specialty license plates 
The department may not unreasonably disapprove or limit any aspect of the private vendor's marketing and sales plan; unreasonably interfere with the selection, assignment, or management by the private vendor of the private vendor's employees, agents, or subcontractors; or require the private vendor to market and sell specialty license plates.
The private vendor may not market or sell specialty license plates that compete directly for sales with any other similar specialty license plate issued under this chapter without the approval of the department and the sponsoring organization of the other specialty license plate. The department may publish for public comment on its website for up to 10 days a proposed design or color combination for a specialty license plate marketed or sold by a private vendor. The department may not restrict the background color, color combinations, or color alphanumeric license plate numbers of such a specialty license plate, except as determined by the department as necessary for law enforcement purposes.
The department may approve new designs and color combinations for specialty license plates that are marketed and sold by a private vendor under a contract entered into with the private vendor. Each approved license plate design and color combination remains the property of the department. 
The department may approve new designs and color combinations for specialty license plates, including specialty license plates that may be personalized which are marketed and sold by the private vendor under a contract entered into with the private vendor. 
A specialty license plate marketed and sold by a private vendor must be approved by the department for issuance for a term of 1, 3, 5, or 10 years. Subject to the limitations provided in the bill, the department may cancel a specialty license plate or require the discontinuation of a specialty license plate design or color combination that is marketed and sold by the private vendor under contract at any time if the department determines that the cancellation or discontinuation is in the best interest of this state or the motoring public.
An organization to which specialty license plate annual use fees are distributed under s. 320.08058 on or before June 30, 2021, may elect to have its respective specialty license plate marketed and sold by a private vendor after July 1, 2021. Any previously paid deposit or fee shall be credited toward the private vendor for the term to which it applies.
The 150 maximum cap on the number of allowable SLP’s does not apply to specialty license plates marketed and sold by private vendors.
To create a private vendor specialty plate, 200 voucher sales have to be sold (not 3,000) including for out of state college plates (not 4,000) and they don’t have to comply with the requirement that the state in which the college or university is located has authorized license plates for colleges or universities located in Florida. 

License plates marketed and sold by private vendors are exempt from the requirement that fees and any interest earned from the fees may be expended only for use in Florida.
Dealer and fleet specialty license plates must be ordered directly from the department unless marketed and sold by a private vendor, in which case they may be ordered directly from the vendor.
The department must discontinue the issuance of an approved specialty license plate marketed and sold by a private vendor, if it falls below 200 plates, for at least 12 consecutive months (not 3,000.)
License plates marketed and sold by private vendors are exempt from the requirement that on January 1 of each year, the department shall discontinue the specialty license plate with the fewest number of plates in circulation, including license plates exempt from a statutory sales requirement. 
The annual use fee from the sale of specialty license plates, the interest earned from those fees, or any fees received by any entity as a result of the sale of specialty license plates may not be used for the purpose of marketing to, or lobbying, entertaining, or rewarding, an employee of a governmental agency that is responsible for the sale and distribution of specialty license plates, or an elected member or employee of the Legislature. This does not apply to specialty license plates marketed and sold by private vendors.
License plates marketed and sold by private vendors are also exempted from minimum sales requirements for the Independent college template and out of state college plates. ​

​In a search of the registered lobbyist database, Corcoran Partners have registered as lobbyists for License Plates of Texas, LLC, for HB 1269 / HB 1267: Robert M Blair, Jacqueline A Corcoran, (probably Jessie Corcoran, Michael’s wife) Eric Criss, Andrea Tovar and Michael C. Corcoran.
Ted Smith (Florida Automobile Dealers Association) is the only lobbyist that has filed a disclosure so far for the two Senate bills.
License Plates of Texas LLC operates myplates.com out of Austin, Texas and according to Dunn and Bradstreet, License Plates of Texas, LLC d/b/a My Plates has 15 total employees across all of its locations and generates $2.27 million in sales (USD).
According to press releases from My Plates, My Plates launched in November 2009 and has sold close to 500,000 specialty plates across the state, averaging about 42,000 a year, and raised over $100M for the General Revenue of Texas ($8.3 million a year). In addition to those revenues, they have also raised millions for various colleges, charities and scholarships. My Plates designs and markets new specialty license plates as the sole vendor for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).
According to a press release in January, 2021, MyPlates now offers all of the 450 plates in Texas, including plates for Mighty Fine Burgers and Remax and their new web site launch achieved the TxDMV’s objective for the plate vendor to provide the public with the convenience of a one-stop-shop to acquire all specialty license plates, ending visits to multiple website stores.