SB 99 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

Summary

This Act creates a background special license plate for the William Penn High School to support scholarships and community events sponsored by the high school. A background special license plate supports a cause and is available for purchase by the public at large, including members of the organization. The numbers, letters, or both, assigned will be the same as the license plate assigned to the owner’s vehicle at the time of the application for the plate. This Act requires a greater-than-majority vote for passage because § 11 of Article VIII of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths for the members elected to each house of the General Assembly when a new tax or license fee is imposed.

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This Act establishes a special license plate for William Penn High School, with specific fee allocations for scholarships and community events.

• § 2140T

  § 2140T. William Penn High School special license plate.

  Introduces a new section for the special license plate.

• § 2140T(a)

  The owner of any vehicle described in subsection (b) of this section may apply to the Division of Motor Vehicles (“Division”) for a special William Penn High School license plate. The Division shall issue the plate only if it receives at least 200 applications for the plate.

  Allows vehicle owners to apply for the new special license plate and sets a minimum application requirement.

• § 2140T(c)(1)

  On the initial application for a plate to be issued under this section, a 1-time fee of $50, which includes an administrative fee of $15, is required in addition to the annual registration fee required by this title.

  Imposes a one-time fee for acquiring the special license plate.

• § 2140T(d)

  The Division shall deposit the 1-time administrative fee collected under subsection (c) of this section into a special fund and use the fund for the purpose of promoting the sale of the plate and administering this section. Proceeds remaining after the Division has covered the costs of promoting the sale of the plate and administering this section must be applied under subsection (e) of this section.

  Establishes a fund for administrative costs and promotion of the plate.

• § 2140T(e)

  The funds derived by the State from that portion of the 1-time fee of $50 under subsection (c) of this section other than the funds spent by the Division under subsection (d) of this section must be deposited by the Division with the State Treasurer and must be specifically set aside in the Scholarship Fund for use by the William Penn Alumni Association Fund to support its mission to raise funding for scholarships and organize community events sponsored by the high school.

  Directs a portion of the fee to a scholarship fund managed by the William Penn Alumni Association.

• § 2140T(f)

  The design for all plates issued under this section must be submitted by the William Penn Alumni Association for final color and design approval by the Division, and are subject to the following: (1) The wording, “The First State”, may be dropped and substituted with the wording “William Penn High School”. (2) A plate may not be solely black and white in color. (3) The Division may refuse any design that it believes would cause a public safety enforcement problem.

  Establishes design approval procedures and specifications for the plates.

• § 2140T(h)

  The Division may promulgate rules and regulations as required to administer this section.

  Grants the Division authority to create necessary regulations for implementation.

Action History

1. July 30, 2025

   Signed by Governor

2. June 25, 2025

   Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT

3. June 18, 2025

   Reported Out of Committee (Transportation) in House with 6 On Its Merits

4. May 20, 2025

   Assigned to Transportation Committee in House

5. May 15, 2025

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

6. May 07, 2025

   Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 8 On Its Merits

7. April 09, 2025

   Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

Sponsors

• Dave G. Lawson · Primary
• Trey Paradee · Primary
• Nicole Poore · Primary

Votes

Subjects