Representative tommy Gregory amends specialty plate bill to reduce cap to 125 from 150

CS/HB 67 passed the House Commerce Committee, its second and final House Committee, with an amendment filed by Representative Tommy Gregory (R-Sarasota), an attorney and entrepreneur, and a long-time foe of the specialty license plate program. The amendment reduces the allowable number of specialty plates to 125, instead of 150, despite opposition from Vice-Chair Brad Drake,  (R-. The amendment was passed on a voice call, which Chair Blaise Ingoglia (R- ) determined was in Rep Gregory's favor.
Democratic Reps Joseph Geller, Anika Tene Omphoy and Matt Wilhite all voiced opposition to the amendment. Republican Randall Scott Maggard (R-Dade City) whose occupation is listed as "Vice president of a corporation", said all plates should be audited (obviously not knowing that they are) and Republican Bob Rommell, (R-Naples) a restaurant owner, said if there was no cap there could be 5,000 plates and made a joke about Rep Jamie Grant no longer being present. Republican Charles Wesley "Chuck"  Clemons (R-Newberry) a college administrator, suggested that the proposed Auburn University plate should be stricken, apparently in jest.
With 123 existing specialty plates (according to the latest Senate Bill Analysis) and 2 more approved plus the nine 'Divine 9' specialty license plates that are currently waiting to be produced, the remaining 33 presale voucher plates who are frantically trying to complete their presale requirement, plus 10 more potentially being approved this session, will have no chance of actually ever being created.
Funds will continue to be taken from the citizens of Florida who support these proposed plates and the state will continue to collect the additional fees that those citizens pay.
The sponsor of the bill Rep Alex Rizo (R-Hialeah), an educator and small business owner, welcomed the amendment, despite knowing that the 5 plates that he was proposing under his bill would now have no chance of success, including proposed plates for Down Syndrome Awareness, Inter Miami CF, Florida Swims, Gopher Tortoise and Take Stock in Children, who had members in the audience.
The Senate companion bill, CS/SB 364, will appear before its final Senate Committee stop today, Appropriations, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), an investment property manager and vice chair Aaron Bean R-Jacksonville, President Pro Tempore and son of Lewis "Red" Bean, Fernandina Beach City Commissioner. This bill also includes proposed license plates for Safe Haven for Newborns, Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research, Learn to Fly, Ethical Ecotourism and 'I Make Things' for the Florida Manufacturing and Logistics Council, as well as Inter Miami CF, Florida Swims, Down Syndrome and Gopher Tortoise, that are included in the House Bill.
The Senate version also seeks to reduce the presale voucher requirement to 2,500 from 3,000 and 4,000 for out of state colleges and extend the presale period by an additional 24 months.. The bill  has an effective date of when it becomes law.