Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

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:                  SB 948
INTRODUCER:            Senator Thompson
SUBJECT:               Divine Nine Specialty License Plate
DATE:                  February 19, 2024               REVISED:
                ANALYST                      STAFF DIRECTOR                 REFERENCE                                 ACTION
1. Shutes                                  Vickers                               TR              Favorable
2. Wells                                   Jerrett                              ATD              Pre-meeting
3.                                                                               FP
    I.        Summary:
              SB 948 defines the term “immediate relative” for purposes of the existing Divine Nine specialty
              license plate and expands eligibility for the purchase of the specialty plate to a member’s
              immediate relative and motor vehicle lessees.
              The Divine Nine specialty license plates consist of plates authorized for the nine member
              organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Each organization’s plate has a unique logo,
              graphic, or colors, as well as distribution specific to the individual organization.
              The bill will have an insignificant fiscal impact on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
              Vehicles (DHSMV). See Section V, Fiscal Impact Statement.
              The bill will take effect July 1, 2024.
    II.       Present Situation:
              Divine Nine Specialty License Plates
              In 2020, the DHSMV was authorized to create the Divine Nine specialty license plates.1 The
              Divine Nine specialty license plates consist of plates authorized for the nine member
              organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.2 The nine member organizations include:
               Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity;
               Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority;
               Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity;
1
 Chapter 2020-181, Laws of Fla., creating s. 320.08058(101), F.S.
2
 The National Pan-Hellenic Council’s purpose is to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of
mutual concern and to promote the well-being of its fraternities and sororities. See National Pan-Hellenic Council, About the
NPHC, https://www.nphchq.com/about (last visited December 20, 2023).
BILL:   SB 948                                                                                         Page 2
             Omega Psi Phi Fraternity;
             Delta Sigma Theta Sorority;
             Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity;
             Zeta Phi Beta Sorority;
             Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; and
             Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
         Each organization’s plate has a unique logo, graphic, or colors, as well as distribution specific to
         the individual organization.3 However, plate sales are combined as one Divine Nine specialty
         license plate for the purpose of meeting the minimum license plate sales threshold and for
         determining the license plate limit.4
         The plate has a $25 annual use fee. The revenue generated through the sale of the plate is
         distributed to following recipient organizations: the United Negro College Fund, Inc., for college
         scholarships for Florida residents attending Florida’s historically black colleges and universities;
         the Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition, Inc.; and to
         additional organizations as specified to promote community awareness and action through
         educational, economic, and cultural service activities within the state.5
         To be eligible for issuance of a Divine Nine specialty license plate, a person must be a Florida
         resident, the registered owner of a motor vehicle, and a member of the applicable organization.6
III.     Effect of Proposed Changes:
         The bill amends s. 320.08058 (101), F.S., to expand eligibility for issuance of the Divine Nine
         specialty license plates. The bill provides eligibility for such plates to an organization member’s
         immediate relative and to motor vehicle lessees.
         The bill defines “immediate relative” as a spouse, domestic partner, or child of a member.
         Proof of relationship will be established by providing a marriage license, domestic partnership
         agreement, birth certificate, or record of adoption. Motor vehicle lessees will be required to
         provide a lease agreement and the vehicle identification number for the motor vehicle that is
         being leased.
IV.      Constitutional Issues:
         A.      Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
                 None.
         B.      Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
                 None.
3
  Section 320.08058(101)(a) and (b), F.S.
4
  Section 320.08058(101), F.S.
5
  Section 320.08058(101)(b), F.S.
6
  Section 320.08058(101)(c), F.S.
 BILL:   SB 948                                                                                                   Page 3
          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:
                  The bill will significantly expand the number of persons eligible to purchase a Divine
                  Nine specialty license plate, which will have an indeterminate, positive fiscal impact on
                  the recipient organizations.
          C.      Government Sector Impact:
 VI.       The DHSMV estimates programming and implementation of the plate will cost
          $7,680.Technical Deficiencies:
          None.
VII.      Related Issues:
          None.
VIII.     Statutes Affected:
          This bill substantially amends section 320.08058 of the Florida Statutes.
 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.
BILL:   SB 948                                                                                                                         Page 4
          This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
Statutes affected: 
S 948 Filed: 320.08058