What new specialty license plates might Florida lawmakers have planned? Hint: Fins Up!

Mark Harper, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·3 min read
Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, speaks at an event promoting her bill that would establish a Margaritaville specialty license plate in memory of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who died last year.
Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, speaks at an event promoting her bill that would establish a Margaritaville specialty license plate in memory of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who died last year.
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In Florida and other states, specialty license plates have become a way for people to identify themselves.

If you're a Gators fan, sea turtle advocate or surfer, there's a plate for you. There's 114 available for sale and another 31 in pre-sale, according to an October legislative analysis. Generating enough pre-sales helps a plate make its way to existence.

So does legislative approval. There are nine proposals included in Florida House and Senate bills this session. Here's what lawmakers are considering as potential future plates:

Jimmy Buffett performs in Key West in 2011. Buffett, who died last year, lives on through his music and charity.
Jimmy Buffett performs in Key West in 2011. Buffett, who died last year, lives on through his music and charity.

Margaritaville

Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, are sponsoring companion bills for a license plate that promises to remind motorists that "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere." The Margaritaville plate would benefit the SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc., a charity founded by Jimmy Buffett in 1995. The organization contributes funds to small organizations that help individuals become more self-sufficient.

Cure Diabetes

Funds generated would go to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; JDRF International Inc., which supports the JDRF North Florida chapter; and the University of Florida Foundation Inc., which supports the University of Florida Diabetes Institute, primarily to support research. Rep. Kiyan Michael, R-Jacksonville, and Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, are sponsoring the legislation.

A small aircraft takes off from Lakeland Linder International Airport, home of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, a nonprofit that offers a variety of facilities and experiences in support of aviation education.
A small aircraft takes off from Lakeland Linder International Airport, home of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, a nonprofit that offers a variety of facilities and experiences in support of aviation education.

General Aviation

This plate would include the words "Support General Aviation," while user fees from the plate will be distributed to the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in the field. Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka, is sponsoring the House bill, while Harrell is backing it in the Senate.

Comedian Bob Hope performs before thosands of soldiers in South Korea during a USO Christmas tour in 1951. A proposed Florida specialty license plate would benefit the USO.
Comedian Bob Hope performs before thosands of soldiers in South Korea during a USO Christmas tour in 1951. A proposed Florida specialty license plate would benefit the USO.

USO

A plate benefitting USO Florida, Inc., a nonprofit that supports members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, has been proposed by two House Reps., David Smith, R-Winter Springs, and Tyler Yarkowsky, R-Montverde. United Service Organizations have a history dating to World War II of providing entertainment to service members and their families. Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, is the Senate sponsor.

Boating Capital of the World

This plate's proceeds would go to Captain Sandy Yawn, Inc., a charity started by the Bravo TV superyacht captain, to increase public awareness of employment opportunities in the maritime industry, fund instruction and training, and other aspects of supporting potential maritime workers. The bill's sponsors are Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton, and Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens.

One of the new Florida specialty license plates would aim to increase awareness of the importance of recycling.
One of the new Florida specialty license plates would aim to increase awareness of the importance of recycling.

Recycle Florida

The bulk of funds would support Recycle Florida Today Foundation, Inc., to increase public awareness of the importance of recycling, resource conservation and environmental stewardship, as well as promoting comprehensive and sustainable recycling programs. Skidmore and Jones are also sponsoring this plate.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium would be one of the beneficiaries of a specialty license plate if approved by the Florida Legislature. The aquarium features dolphins, sharks, stingrays and boat tours of Clearwater Bay.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium would be one of the beneficiaries of a specialty license plate if approved by the Florida Legislature. The aquarium features dolphins, sharks, stingrays and boat tours of Clearwater Bay.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Fees from the sale of a Clearwater Marine Aquarium plate would benefit the aquarium's efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and release marine life, provide environmental education, conduct research and promote conservation strategies. Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, and Rep. Kimberly Berfield, R-Clearwater, are backing the bills.

An "Overdose Awareness" specialty license plate has been proposed to raise money and awareness of substance abuse and mental-health problems.
An "Overdose Awareness" specialty license plate has been proposed to raise money and awareness of substance abuse and mental-health problems.

Overdose Awareness

A plate taking on the problem of substance abuse has been proposed and would include the words "Overdose Awareness" on the bottom beneath Florida and the plate's numbers. Project Addiction: Reversing the Stigma, Inc., a nonprofit, would receive funds that would be designated for supporting awareness and education about substance use disorder and mental illness. Project Addiction was founded by Diane Stevenson, a Seminole County mother whose 26-year-old daughter, Tylar-Ann, died as the result of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Rep. Katherine Waldron, D-Wellington, and Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, are sponsors.

Funds from a license plate could go to The Villages Charter School Inc,. whose high school baseball team made it to the Class 4A regional semifinal in 2023.
Funds from a license plate could go to The Villages Charter School Inc,. whose high school baseball team made it to the Class 4A regional semifinal in 2023.

The Villages: May All Your Dreams Come True

This one might sound like a sales pitch for the fastest-growing metro area in the United States, but funds would be steered to an educational cause. The Villlages Charter School Inc., would receive proceeds to support K-12 education. Rep. John Paul Temple, R-Wildwood is sponsoring the bill, which does not have a Senate companion.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Here are 9 new specialty license plates proposed in Florida bills