Special License Plates

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not mention the ability for holders of memorial and military registration plates to submit proof electronically. This claim was removed as it is not supported by the provided official source material.

Special License Plates for Tennessee

This bill creates new specialty license plates and extends deadlines for some existing ones in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Adds new specialty earmarked license plates for various organizations, parks, and events.
• Creates a distinctive license plate for recipients of certain military honors.
• Extends the deadline until July 1, 2027, for several new specialty plates to meet issuance requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who want special license plates for their cars or motorcycles in Tennessee.
• Organizations that can now apply for a specialty plate.
• Military personnel receiving certain honors.

Terms To Know

Specialty Earmarked License Plates

License plates designed specifically for organizations, events, or causes and the money from selling them goes to support those groups.

Distinctive License Plate

A special type of license plate given to people who have received certain military honors.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much money each specialty plate will generate.
• It is unclear which organizations or individuals will apply for the new plates first.
• Some deadlines are extended, but it's not clear what happens if they still aren't met by July 1, 2027.

Official Summary Text

ON MARCH 9, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1477, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, make the following revisions to present law regarding license plates:

NEW SPECIALTY EARMARKED LICENSE PLATES



Creates a new specialty earmarked plate for the following:
o

Coalmont OHV Park
o

Flatrock Motorsports Park
o

Blackman Blaze
o

International Bluegrass Music Association
o

Sky City Entrepreneur Center
o

Local Journalism Matters
o

Knoxville Ice Bears
o

Quail Forever
o

Adopt a Golden
o

Domestic Violence and Assault Awareness and Prevention
o

Back the Blue
o

Cowboy Up
o

Christian Brothers High School
o

Nashville Bourbon Auction
o

The Bridge House
o

LaunchTN
o

Childhood Cancer Awareness
o

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary or Service
o

Sons of the American Revolution
o

Blacksmithing
o

Ohio State University
o

Appalachia Service Project
o

POD256
o

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
o

Foodies of TN
o

Tennessee Aviation

CULTURAL LICENSE PLATES



Creates a new, distinctive license plate for recipients of the:
o

Airman's Medal
o

Navy and Marine Corps Medal
o

Soldier's Medal
o

Meritorious Service Medal

EXTENSIONS



Grants an extension until July 1, 2027, for the following new specialty earmarked license plates to meet applicable minimum issuance requirements:

o

Man2Man Prostate Cancer Group
o

Respiratory Care
o

YMCA
o

The Elephant Sanctuary
o

Friends of Warner Parks
o

STAR Riding Therapy
o

Singing for Change
o

Tennessee Environment & Restoration
o

Nashville Humane Society
o

Nashville Sounds
o

Historic Jonesborough
o

Golfer
o

Niswonger Children's Hospital at Johnson City Medical Center
o

Tennessee Ronald McDonald House Charities
o

Slow Down Move Over
o

Northeast State Community College
o

End Overdose
o

Rolling Thunder
o

Order of the Eastern Star
o

Support Our Veterans

MISCELLANEOUS



Authorizes the funds generated from the issuance of the Sycamore Shoals specialty earmarked license plate to also be used to support historical projects within Carter County and support charitable nonprofit organizations based in Carter County whose primary mission is (i) animal protection and welfare; (ii) food banks and food pantries; (iii) fire prevention, protection, and control; (iv) ambulance and emergency medical transport services; and (v) after school and summer daycare.



Requires that the minimum issuance requirements for specialty earmarked license plates for specific fraternities and sororities be calculated in the aggregate and not by specific fraternity or sorority.



Requires the Delta Sigma Theta specialty earmarked plate be designed in consultation with an authorized representative of Delta Sigma Theta and to contain the colors, logo, or other emblem or design distinctive to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.



Authorizes the funds generated from the issuance of the Delta Sigma Theta specialty earmarked plate be allocated to the Delta Research and Educational Foundation.

ON APRIL 6, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1477 FOR HOUSE BILL 1751, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1477, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #2 grants an extension until July 1, 2027, for the ALS Research new specialty to meet the applicable minimum issuance requirements.

ON APRIL 13, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #2.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 1751
By Howell

SENATE BILL 1477
By Massey
SB1477
009699
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55,
Chapter 4, relative to license plates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-251(b), is amended by adding
the following at the end of the subsection:
The department may permit a holder to submit the proof electronically.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.