REPRESENTATIVE GERI THOMPSON PROPOSES REVAMP TO MARKETING revenue and limiting purchasers FOR the proposed DIVINE nine SPECIALTY PLATE to members of the fraternity/sorority

A bill has been filed by Representative Geraldine F 'Geri' Thompson (D-Orange County) (HB 533) to amend the Divine Nine proposed specialty license plate, currently in its presale, to change the distribution of marketing funds from each of the nine fraternity/sorority plates to the Association to Preserve African-American Society, History, and Tradition (PAST), Inc., solely for the marketing of the plate. The companion Senate bill (SB 1200) has been filed by Senator Perry Thurston (D-Fort Lauderdale.)
The bill also proposes to limit the purchasers of the Divine 9 specialty plates to residents of the state of Florida who are registered owners of a motor vehicle and who are members of the applicable organization. The person must also present proof of membership in the organization and the bill adds that, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Divine 9 specialty license plate may be displayed on a privately owned passenger motor vehicle, pickup truck, motorcycle, boat or pleasure motor vehicle including, but not limited to, a recreational vehicle.
The Association to Preserve African-American Society, History, and Tradition (PAST), Inc. is based in Orlando and headed by Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson, Representative Thompson's daughter.
Representative Thompson has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2018, after previously serving in the Senate (2012-2016) and the House (2006-2012). She was the Democratic Leader pro tempore from 2008-2010.
As part of the specialty license plate bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the bill approved the creation of a “super tag” template for nine black fraternities and sororities dubbed the “Divine Nine”:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (founded in 1908 at Harvard 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)
The group of plates have to collect a combined 3,000 presales before becoming eligible for production. DHSMV must cycle through the list of approved plates in the statutory order listed - Divine Nine is number 23 on the list.

​The Divine Nine license plate will use a standard template and a unique logo, graphic, or color for each of the organizations in the Divine Nine. The plate must bear DHSMV-approved colors and design and must include the official logo, graphic, or color as appropriate for each organization. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate and the words “Divine Nine” must appear at the bottom of the plate.
The annual use fees from the sale of the plate are to be distributed as follows:
• 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 95% of the proceeds are distributed to the appropriate charitable foundations based on the purchaser’s selected license plate as follows:
10% solely for marketing of the plate; and
85% percent 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.”