320.08062  Audits and attestations required; annual use fees of specialty license plates.--

(1)(a)  All organizations that receive annual use fee proceeds from the department are responsible for ensuring that proceeds are used in accordance with ss. 320.08056 and 320.08058.

(b)  Any organization not subject to audit pursuant to s. 215.97 shall annually attest, under penalties of perjury, that such proceeds were used in compliance with ss. 320.08056 and 320.08058. The attestation shall be made annually in a form and format determined by the department.

(c)  Any organization subject to audit pursuant to s. 215.97 shall submit an audit report in accordance with rules promulgated by the Auditor General. The annual attestation shall be submitted to the department for review within 9 months after the end of the organization's fiscal year.

(2)  Within 90 days after receiving an organization's audit or attestation, the department shall determine which recipients of revenues from specialty license plate annual use fees have not complied with subsection (1). If the department determines that an organization has not complied or has failed to use the revenues in accordance with ss. 320.08056 and 320.08058, the department must discontinue the distribution of the revenues to the organization until the department determines that the organization has complied. If an organization fails to comply within 12 months after the annual use fee proceeds are withheld by the department, the proceeds shall be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund to offset department costs related to the issuance of specialty license plates.

(3)  The department has the authority to examine all records pertaining to the use of funds from the sale of specialty license plates.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-194; s. 7, ch. 95-282; s. 3, ch. 98-414; s. 270, ch. 99-248; s. 8, ch. 2001-196; s. 102, ch. 2001-266.

320.08068  Motorcycle specialty license plates.--

(1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 320.08053, the department shall develop a reduced dimensions specialty license plate for display on motorcycles.

(2)  The department shall issue a specialty license plate to the owner or lessee of any motorcycle upon request and payment of the appropriate license taxes and fees.

(3)  Each request must be made annually to the department, accompanied by the following taxes and fees:

(a)  The license tax required under s. 320.08.

(b)  A license plate fee as required by s. 320.06(1)(b).

(c)  A processing fee of $2.

(d)  A license plate annual use fee as required in subsection (4).

(4)  A license plate annual use fee of $20 shall be collected for each motorcycle specialty license plate. Annual use fees shall be distributed to The Able Trust as custodial agent. The Able Trust may retain a maximum of 10 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the license plate for administrative costs. The Able Trust shall distribute the remaining funds as follows:

(a)  Twenty percent to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Trust Fund.

(b)  Twenty percent to Prevent Blindness Florida.

(c)  Twenty percent to the Blind Services Foundation of Florida.

(d)  Twenty percent to the Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation to support the Personal Care Attendant Program pursuant to s. 413.402.

(e)  Twenty percent to the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living to be used to leverage additional funding and new sources of revenue for the centers for independent living in this state.

(5)  If an owner or lessee to whom the department has issued a motorcycle specialty license plate acquires a replacement vehicle within the owner's registration period, the department must authorize a transfer of the specialty license plate to the replacement vehicle in accordance with s. 320.0609. The annual use fee or processing fee may not be refunded.

(6)  The license plate shall be 4 inches wide by 7 inches long and incorporate a red, white, and blue color scheme approved by the department and may bear the imprint of numerals from 1 to 999, inclusive, capital letters "A" through "Z," or a combination thereof. The department shall determine the maximum number of characters, including numerals and letters. Motorcycle specialty license plates must be otherwise of the same material as standard license plates issued for any registration period. In small letters, the word "Florida" must appear at the top of the plate.

(7)  The department may issue personalized prestige plates for license plates authorized in this section. Such plates shall be issued in accordance with applicable provisions contained in s. 320.0805.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2003-280; s. 2, ch. 2006-169.

320.0807  Special license plates for Governor and federal and state legislators.--

(1)  Upon application by any member of the House of Representatives of Congress and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805, the department is authorized to issue to such Member of Congress a license plate stamped "Member of Congress" followed by the number of the appropriate congressional district. Upon application by a United States Senator and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805, the department is authorized to issue a license plate stamped "USS," followed by the numeral II in the case of the junior senator.

(2)  Upon application by any member of the state House of Representatives and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805, the department is authorized to issue such state representative license plates stamped in bold letters "State Legislator," followed by the number of the appropriate House of Representatives district on one plate; the numbers of the other plates will be assigned by the department. Upon application by a state senator and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805, the department is authorized to issue license plates stamped in bold letters "State Senator," followed by the number of the appropriate Senate district on one plate; the numbers of the other plates will be assigned by the department.

(3)  Upon application by the Governor and payment of the appropriate fees, the department is authorized to issue to the Governor two license plates stamped in bold letters "Florida 1" and "Florida 2."

(4)  License plates purchased under subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (3) shall be replaced by the department at no cost, other than the fees required by ss. 320.04 and 320.06(3)(b), when the person to whom such plates have been issued leaves the elective office with respect to which such license plates were issued. Within 30 days after leaving office, the person to whom such license plates have been issued shall make application to the department for a replacement license plate. Such person may return the prestige license plates to the department or may retain such plates as souvenirs. Upon receipt of the replacement license plate, such person shall not continue to display on any vehicle the prestige license plate or plates issued with respect to his or her former office.

(5)  Upon application by any current or former President of the Senate and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805, the department is authorized to issue a license plate stamped in bold letters "Senate President" followed by the number assigned by the department or chosen by the applicant if it is not already in use. Upon application by any current or former Speaker of the House of Representatives and payment of the fees prescribed by s. 320.0805, the department is authorized to issue a license plate stamped in bold letters "House Speaker" followed by the number assigned by the department or chosen by the applicant if it is not already in use.

(6)  Any person who does not make application for a replacement license plate as required by subsection (4), or who, after receipt of the replacement license plate, continues to display on any vehicle the prestige license plate or plates issued with respect to his or her former office, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 24, ch. 83-318; s. 1, ch. 84-108; s. 7, ch. 87-225; s. 353, ch. 95-148; s. 12, ch. 97-96; s. 3, ch. 2006-297.

320.081  Collection and distribution of annual license tax imposed on the following type units.--

(1)  The provisions of this section shall apply to all mobile homes and park trailers, and to all travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers exceeding 35 feet in body length.

(2)  The annual license tax prescribed in s. 320.08(10) and (11) is in lieu of ad valorem taxes, and a sticker, as appropriate, shall be issued to evidence payment thereof. It is permissible in this state to transport units governed by this section, registered hereunder, without a corresponding state license plate on the towing vehicle.

(3)  The owner shall make application for such sticker in the manner provided in s. 320.02, and the tax collectors in the several counties of the state shall collect the license taxes imposed by s. 320.08(10) and (11) and the license tax surcharge imposed by s. 320.08015 in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as provided in s. 320.03.

(4)  Each tax collector shall make prompt remittance of all moneys collected by him or her to the department at such times and in such manner as provided by law. Upon receipt of the license taxes collected from the tax collectors of the several counties, the department shall pay into the State Treasury for deposit in the General Revenue Fund the sum of $1.50 on each such sticker issued, and shall pay into the State Treasury for deposit in the Florida Mobile Home Relocation Trust Fund $1 on each sticker issued as provided in s. 320.08015. The balance remaining shall be paid into a trust fund in the State Treasury designated "License Tax Collection Trust Fund," and the moneys so deposited shall be paid to the respective counties and cities wherein such units governed by the provisions of this section are located, regardless of where the license taxes are collected, in the manner hereinafter provided.

(5)  The department shall keep records showing the total number of stickers issued to each type unit governed by this section, the total amount of license taxes collected, and the county or city wherein each such unit is located and shall from month to month certify to the Chief Financial Officer the amount derived from license taxes in each county and each city within the county. Such amount, less the amount of $1.50 collected on each license and the $1 license tax surcharge imposed by s. 320.08015, shall be paid to the counties and cities within the counties wherein the unit or units are located as follows: one-half to the district school board and the remainder either to the board of county commissioners, for units which are located within the unincorporated areas of the county, or to any city within such county, for units which are located within its corporate limits. Payment shall be by warrant drawn by the Chief Financial Officer upon the treasury, which amount is hereby appropriated monthly out of the License Tax Collection Trust Fund.

History.--ss. 1-3, ch. 23969, 1947; s. 2, ch. 63-528; s. 6, ch. 65-190; s. 2, ch. 65-446; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 69-300; s. 4, ch. 72-339; s. 17, ch. 72-360; ss. 1, 2, ch. 73-342; s. 93, ch. 77-104; s. 12, ch. 77-357; s. 5, ch. 78-207; s. 25, ch. 83-318; s. 6, ch. 85-343; s. 41, ch. 94-306; s. 914, ch. 95-148; s. 359, ch. 2003-261; s. 3, ch. 2003-263.

320.0815  Mobile homes and recreational vehicle-type units required to have appropriate license plates or stickers.--

(1)  Recreational vehicle-type units taxed under s. 320.08(9) and (10) shall be issued appropriate license plates, except as provided in subsection (2).

(2)  A mobile home or recreational vehicle-type unit which is permanently affixed to the land shall be issued a mobile home sticker at the fee prescribed in s. 320.08(11) unless the mobile home or recreational vehicle-type unit is qualified and taxed as real property, in which case the mobile home or recreational vehicle-type unit shall be issued an "RP" series sticker. Series "RP" stickers shall be provided by the department to the tax collectors, and such a sticker will be issued by the tax collector to the registered owner of such a mobile home or recreational vehicle-type unit upon the production of a certificate of the respective property appraiser that such mobile home or recreational vehicle-type unit is included in an assessment of the property of such registered owner for ad valorem taxation. An "RP" series sticker shall be issued by the tax collector for an aggregate fee of $3 each, to be distributed as follows: $2.50 shall be retained by the tax collector as a service charge; 25 cents shall be remitted to the property appraiser; and 25 cents shall be remitted to the department to defray the cost of manufacture and handling. Mobile home stickers and "RP" series stickers shall be of a size to be determined by the department. A mobile home sticker or "RP" series sticker shall be affixed to the lower left corner of the window closest to the street or road providing access to such residence.

History.--s. 3, ch. 70-391; s. 5, ch. 72-339; s. 1, ch. 77-102; s. 94, ch. 77-104; s. 13, ch. 77-357; s. 6, ch. 78-207; s. 26, ch. 83-318; s. 4, ch. 85-324; s. 39, ch. 96-413.

320.0821  Wrecker license plates.--

(1)  The department shall issue a wrecker license plate to the owner of any motor vehicle that is used to tow, carry, or otherwise transport motor vehicles and that is equipped for that purpose with a boom, winch, carrier, or other similar equipment, except a motor vehicle registered under the International Registration Plan, upon application and payment of the appropriate license tax and fees in accordance with s. 320.08(5)(d) or (e).

(2)  A license plate issued under this section shall have the word "Wrecker" imprinted on the bottom of the plate in place of the county name.

(3)  Any license plate issued under s. 320.08(5)(e) shall be in a distinctive color approved by the department.

(4)  For any license plate issued under this section to any wrecker, when the combined gross vehicle weight of the wrecker and any towed vehicle or vehicles is 55,000 pounds or more, at the time of registration or renewal of registration, every owner or person in charge of such wrecker shall present proof of filing or proof of payment, as applicable, of the federal heavy vehicle use tax in accordance with s. 320.02(7).

History.--s. 6, ch. 97-58.

320.083  Amateur radio operators; special license plates; fees.--

(1)  A person who is the owner or lessee of an automobile or truck for private use, a truck weighing not more than 7,999 pounds, or a recreational vehicle as specified in s. 320.08(9)(c) or (d), which is not used for hire or commercial use; who is a resident of the state; and who holds a valid official amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission shall be issued a special license plate upon application, accompanied by proof of ownership of such radio station license, and payment of the following tax and fees:

(a)  The license tax required for the vehicle, as prescribed by s. 320.08(2), (3)(a), (b), or (c), (4)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f), or (9); and

(b)  An initial additional fee of $5, and an additional fee of $1.50 thereafter.

(2)  The license plate issued shall meet the requirements of s. 320.06, except that, in lieu of the numbers as prescribed by s. 320.06, it shall be inscribed with the official amateur radio call letters of the applicant, as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission, including as a prefix, when applicable, those call letters assigned by the Armed Services of the United States of America, not to exceed eight characters. In lieu of the name of the county or the designation "Sunshine State" on the bottom of the plate as prescribed in s. 320.06, the words "Amateur Radio" shall be inscribed.

(3)  All applications for such plates shall be made to the department.

History.--ss. 1-4, ch. 25049, 1949; s. 6, ch. 65-190; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 72-379; s. 2, ch. 77-68; s. 14, ch. 77-357; ss. 1, 2, ch. 80-267; s. 27, ch. 83-318; s. 58, ch. 94-306; s. 28, ch. 99-248; s. 120, ch. 2002-20.

320.084  Free motor vehicle license plate to certain disabled veterans.--

(1)  One free motor vehicle license number plate shall be issued by the department for use on any motor vehicle owned or leased by any disabled veteran who has been a resident of this state continuously for the preceding 5 years or has established a domicile in this state as provided by s. 222.17(1), (2), or (3), and who has been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces, upon application, accompanied by proof that:

(a)  A vehicle was initially acquired through financial assistance by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor specifically for the purchase of an automobile;

(b)  The applicant has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor to have a service-connected 100-percent disability rating for compensation; or

(c)  The applicant has been determined to have a service-connected disability rating of 100 percent and is in receipt of disability retirement pay from any branch of the United States Armed Services.

(2)  The production by a veteran of a valid identification card issued by the Department of Veterans' Affairs in accordance with s. 295.17 or a letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor or any branch of the uniformed Armed Services certifying a service-connected disability rating of 100 percent for the veteran is prima facie evidence of the veteran's eligibility for the benefits contained in subsection (1).

(3)  The department shall, as it deems necessary, require each person to whom a motor vehicle license plate has been issued pursuant to subsection (1) to apply to the department for reissuance of his or her registration license plate. Upon receipt of the application and proof of the applicant's continued eligibility, the department shall issue a new permanent "DV" numerical motor vehicle license plate which shall be of the colors red, white, and blue similar to the colors of the United States flag. The operation of a motor vehicle displaying a "DV" license plate from a previous issue period or a noncurrent validation sticker after the date specified by the department shall subject the owner if he or she is present, otherwise the operator, to the penalty provided in s. 318.18(2). Such permanent license plate shall be removed upon sale of the vehicle, but may be transferred to another vehicle owned by such veteran in the manner prescribed by law. The license number of each plate issued under this section shall be identified by the letter designation "DV." Upon request of any such veteran, the department is authorized to issue a designation plate containing only the letters "DV," to be displayed on the front of the vehicle.

(4)(a)  With the issuance of each new permanent "DV" numerical motor vehicle license plate, the department shall initially issue, without cost to the applicant, a validation sticker reflecting the owner's birth month and a serially numbered validation sticker reflecting the year of expiration. The initial sticker reflecting the year of expiration may not exceed 15 months.

(b)  There shall be a service charge in accordance with the provisions of s. 320.04 for each initial application or renewal of registration and an additional sum of 50 cents on each license plate and validation sticker as provided in s. 320.06(3)(b).

(c)  Registration under this section shall be renewed annually during the applicable renewal period on forms prescribed by the department, which shall include, in addition to any other information required by the department, a certified statement as to the continued eligibility of the applicant to receive the special "DV" license plate. Any applicant who falsely or fraudulently submits to the department the certified statement required by this paragraph is guilty of a noncriminal violation and is subject to a civil penalty of $50.

(5)  A county or municipality, or any agency thereof, may not impose upon any person who is issued a license plate with the international accessibility symbol, under this section, any fee or penalty for parking in any metered or timed parking space except:

(a)  As provided in s. 316.1964; or

(b)  When the person is parked without a permit issued under s. 320.0848 in a space designated for use by persons who have disabilities.

History.--s. 1, ch. 26839, 1951; s. 7, ch. 28186, 1953; s. 3, ch. 57-266; s. 1, ch. 59-104; s. 1, ch. 63-277; s. 6, ch. 65-190; ss. 1, 2, ch. 67-47; s. 1, ch. 67-420; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 69-269; s. 92, ch. 71-355; s. 3, ch. 77-68; s. 16, ch. 77-357; s. 1, ch. 79-208; s. 1, ch. 80-306; s. 5, ch. 83-71; s. 28, ch. 83-318; s. 3, ch. 85-63; s. 27, ch. 88-290; s. 11, ch. 93-268; s. 354, ch. 95-148; s. 10, ch. 96-200; s. 29, ch. 99-248.

320.0841  Free motor vehicle license plates to members of Seminole and Miccosukee Indian Tribes.--

(1)  The department shall issue each year, free of charge to any state agency or individual, a sufficient number of motor vehicle license plates for use on vehicles owned and operated by members of the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian Tribes. The allocation for any year may be increased by an amount equal to up to 10 percent of the allocation for the previous year. Any request for such increase shall be accompanied by formal certification of the need therefor by the Seminole and Miccosukee Tribal Councils.

(2)  The department shall provide an appropriate application form and procedures for request and issuance of the license plates.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 71-302; s. 17, ch. 77-357; s. 1, ch. 78-232; ss. 29, 57, ch. 83-318; s. 1, ch. 85-190.

320.0842  Free motor vehicle license plates to veterans who use wheelchairs.--

(1)  Upon application by any person who owns or leases a motor vehicle and who is qualified under subsection (2), the department shall issue to such person a free motor vehicle license plate, similar in all respects to the plate issued under s. 320.084, with the exception that the designation "DV" is replaced by the international symbol of accessibility. The international symbol of accessibility is as follows:

(2)  In order to be eligible for the motor vehicle license plate described in subsection (1), a person must comply with the following provisions:

(a)  The veteran must be eligible for the license plate issued under s. 320.084 and must apply for the license plate issued under this section in lieu of or in exchange for the motor vehicle license number plate authorized by s. 320.084; and

(b)  The veteran must offer, in addition to the proof required by s. 320.084(1), proof that due to a service-connected disability he or she permanently uses a wheelchair or proof, in the form of an application that conforms to the requirements set forth in s. 320.0848, that he or she qualifies for a disabled parking permit under that section. The license plate entitles the person to all privileges afforded by a parking permit issued under s. 320.0848.

(3)  Upon request, the department shall issue, to a person who has received a motor vehicle license plate under subsection (2), a designation plate containing only the international symbol of accessibility, to be displayed on the front of a vehicle.

(4)  Section 320.084(3) and (4) applies to license plates issued under this section.

History.--s. 1, ch. 72-31; s. 2, ch. 74-202; s. 5, ch. 79-82; s. 2, ch. 79-208; s. 30, ch. 83-318; s. 355, ch. 95-148; s. 11, ch. 96-200; s. 5, ch. 98-202.

320.0843  License plates for persons with disabilities eligible for permanent disabled parking permits.--

(1)  Any owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who resides in this state and qualifies for a disabled parking permit under s. 320.0848(2), upon application to the department and payment of the license tax for a motor vehicle registered under s. 320.08(2), (3)(a), (b), (c), or (e), (4)(a) or (b), (6)(a), or (9)(c) or (d), shall be issued a license plate as provided by s. 320.06 which, in lieu of the serial number prescribed by s. 320.06, shall be stamped with the international wheelchair user symbol after the serial number of the license plate. The license plate entitles the person to all privileges afforded by a parking permit issued under s. 320.0848. When more than one registrant is listed on the registration issued under this section, the eligible applicant shall be noted on the registration certificate.

(2)  All applications for such license plates must be made to the department.

History.--s. 1, ch. 74-30; s. 4, ch. 77-68; s. 4, ch. 77-83; s. 6, ch. 79-82; s. 66, ch. 79-164; s. 31, ch. 83-318; s. 29, ch. 87-198; s. 6, ch. 98-202; s. 63, ch. 2005-164; s. 31, ch. 2006-1.

320.0845  License plates for members of Paralyzed Veterans of America.--

(1)  Any owner or lessee of a motor vehicle who resides in this state and is a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, upon application and payment of the appropriate license tax and fees accompanied by proof of such membership, shall be issued a motor vehicle license plate, as provided in s. 320.06, which shall be imprinted with the name of said organization to the extent that space permits on the license plate with the serial letters prescribed by s. 320.06(1)(a).

(2)  All applications for such license plates shall be made to the department.

History.--s. 1, ch. 87-160.