Ever dream of putting your company logo and colors on car license plates? Has the State of Florida got a deal for you! If, that is, you have $205,000 to get into the game.
Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, introduced SB 1422 to authorize the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to enter into agreements with any business entity, advertising firm or for-profit business that provides the required corporate logo and appropriate legal documentation.
Owners of any motor vehicle weighing 7,999 pounds or less and registered for private use could get a tag at a cost of $25 per plate.
The state would make most of its money through the corporate sponsor, who would have to remit to DHSMV an application fee of $5,000, plus a fee of $200 per vehicle.
"A minimum of 1,000 owners would have to want the logo in order for it to be approved," said Fasano, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee. The $200 fee would apply only to the first 1,000 vehicles.
Fasano hopes the tag sales will be substantial enough to balance the state transportation budget without dipping into the Transportation Trust Fund.
"Sales of specialty plates have been down between 20 and 25 percent over the past year, and we think this will provide increased general revenue for the Motor Vehicle Department," he said.
The bill was approved by the Senate Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means Thursday and has been placed on the Senate calendar for a second reading this week.
Reach John Hinds at JHinds1949@aol.com or by calling 850-727-0859
