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Bill

S 1119

Blackout license plates

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sean Bennett

Creates a new blackout license plate option for private vehicles/motorcycles, with $40 or $60 extra biennial fees funneled to the State Highway Fund.

Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
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Bill Summary · S 1119

Summary of Bill S.1119 (2025-2026 Session, South Carolina)

Purpose and Intent

  • Proposes the creation of a new special license plate option for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles.
  • The plate design is described as a “blackout” plate with a solid black background and white characters.

Key Provisions

  • New Section Created: Adds Section 56-3-16610 to Chapter 3, Title 56 (South Carolina Code) to establish the Blackout Special License Plates.
  • Eligibility: Available to owners of private passenger motor vehicles or motorcycles registered in their names.
  • Exemption: The blackout plate is exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100 (which governs other standard and possibly personalized plates; this indicates a special treatment or different rules for the blackout plate).
  • Design: Plates must have a solid black background with white characters imprinted horizontally.
  • Registration Period and Fees:
    • Plates are issued or revalidated for a biennial period of 24 months from the issue month.
    • Base fee: The standard biennial registration fee (as defined by Article 5, Chapter 3 of Title 56) plus:
    • An additional biennial fee of $40, to be credited to the State Highway Fund.
    • Personalized (custom) blackout plates: An additional biennial fee of $60, also credited to the State Highway Fund.
  • Revenue Allocation: All additional blackout plate fees ($40 non-personalized, $60 personalized) are earmarked for the State Highway Fund.

Implementation Timeline

  • Production Timeline: The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must produce blackout plates within six months after the act becomes effective.
  • Effective Date: The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Owners of private passenger vehicles and motorcycles seeking a blackout license plate.
  • State Revenues: Additional funds flow to the State Highway Fund from the added biennial fees, supporting highway-related investments or needs.

Procedural/Timeline Notes

  • Referred to the Committee on Transportation (April 14, 2026) and reported Favorable by the Transportation Committee (April 15, 2026), indicating progress toward potential floor action.
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Sean Bennett.

Practical Implications

  • Provides a new aesthetic option for license plates, aligning with other “special plate” programs that allocate additional revenue to transportation-related funds.
  • The blackout design may have visibility and readability considerations, given the high-contrast black/white scheme.
  • The exemption from Section 56-3-8100 suggests this plate operates under distinct rules relative to standard or other special plates (e.g., may influence eligibility or display requirements).

If you’d like, I can compare this proposed plate to other existing South Carolina special plates (fees, eligibility, and fund allocation) to provide additional context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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