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SB305 • 2025

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

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

Taxes
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Paradee
Last action
2026-05-21
Official status
House Public Safety & Homeland Security 5/21/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how much money will be raised or when the special plates will start being issued, leaving these points as unknowns.

Delaware State University Special License Plate Act

The act allows people to get special license plates for their cars if they support Delaware State University. The money from these plates will help the university.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new type of license plate that shows support for Delaware State University.
  • Requires at least 200 applications before issuing the special plates.
  • Sets a one-time fee of $65, which includes an administrative charge and goes to support the university.
  • Specifies that the plates can be used on private passenger vehicles and certain trucks or trailers under specific weight limits.
  • Gives the Division of Motor Vehicles control over the design and issuance of these special plates.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Owners of eligible vehicles who want to support Delaware State University by purchasing a special license plate.
  • The Division of Motor Vehicles, which will manage the application process and fund distribution for the plates.

Terms To Know

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The maximum weight that a vehicle can carry as set by its manufacturer.
International Registration Plan (IRP)
A system used to register and tax commercial vehicles operating in multiple states.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It is not clear how much money will be raised from the sale of these special plates.
  • The bill does not specify when or if the special plates will start being issued.
  • The exact design of the plates and any rules about their use are left to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-21 Delaware General Assembly

    Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House

  2. 2026-05-20 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

  3. 2026-05-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 7 Favorable

  4. 2026-05-06 Delaware General Assembly

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

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.
This bill creates a special license plate for Delaware State University to support student access, academic excellence, and university programs that advance the institution’s mission.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Paradee & Rep. Bush

Sens. Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Poore, Richardson, Seigfried, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Berry, Cooke, Gray, Osienski

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 305

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

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Three-fifths of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Chapter 21, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 2140V. Special registration plates supporting Delaware State University.

(a) The owner of any vehicle described in subsection (b) of this section may apply to the Division of Motor Vehicles for a special Delaware State University registration plate. The Division shall issue the plate if it receives at least 200 of such applications.

(b) This section only applies to the following:

(1) A private passenger vehicle.

(2) Subject to paragraph (b)(2)(b) of this section, a motor vehicle, including a truck or trailer, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less.

a. The motor vehicle described in this paragraph may be owned by an individual or an artificial entity, including corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint-stock company.

b. A truck that qualifies to register for the International Registration Plan (IRP), individually, or as part of a combination of vehicles, as defined §101 of this Title, may not be issued a special plate under this section.

(c) Upon the initial application for a plate to be issued pursuant to this section, a 1-time fee of $65, which includes an administrative fee of $15.00, is required in addition to the annual registration fee required by this title. This additional fee is required for all persons applying for a special plate pursuant to this section, including members of nonprofit organizations, even if members are exempt from registration fees under §2159 of this title. A replacement plate may be obtained upon payment of a fee to be set by the Division, which shall cover the cost of the plate.

(d) The 1-time administrative fee collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be deposited into a special fund and used by the Division of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of promoting the sale of the plate and administering this section. Proceeds remaining after the Division of Motor Vehicles has covered the costs of promoting and administering this section shall be applied pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.

(e) The funds derived by the State from that portion of the 1-time fee of $65 that is not defined as an administrative fee pursuant to subsection (c) and (d) of this section shall be deposited by the Division of Motor Vehicles with the State Treasurer and shall be specifically set aside and deposited to support Delaware State University’s deposit in the Delaware State University Fund.

(f) All registration plates issued pursuant to this section shall be of the colors and design as determined by the Division and Delaware State University. The numbers and/or letters assigned will be the same as the current license plate assigned to the vehicle. The committee may, at its discretion, drop the wording “The First State” and substitute in place thereof the wording Delaware State University.

(g) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall have the power to refuse any design which it believes would cause a public safety enforcement problem. The Division of Motor Vehicles may promulgate rules and regulations as required to administer this section.

SYNOPSIS

This bill creates a special license plate for Delaware State University to support student access, academic excellence, and university programs that advance the institution’s mission.

Author: Senator Paradee