Bill
HB 1654
Arkansas HB 1654 creates a Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid South special license plate with a $30 design-use contribution and $10 administrative fee, directs monthly funds to the
Note on source material / discrepancy
- The materials you provided contain mixed content for different bills numbered HB 1654 (different states and topics). The detailed document (DFA1) and bill text included in the packet are for an Arkansas bill that creates a Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South special license plate and addresses the inventory of the Mid‑South Community College education plate. The top-line Bill Title you supplied (City of Pascagoula; extend tourism tax on prepared food) does not match the detailed documents. Below is a focused summary of the Arkansas HB 1654 materials contained in the DFA1 and bill text. If you want a summary of the Pascagoula tourism‑tax bill instead, please confirm and provide the correct text.
Purpose and intent
- Authorize and establish a Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South special motor vehicle license plate and to stop further production of the Mid‑South Community College education special plate once current inventory is exhausted.
Key provisions and changes
- Creation of a new special license plate: The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will design the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South plate in consultation with the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South.
- Fees on issuance/renewal:
- Regular vehicle registration fee (unchanged).
- $30.00 design‑use contribution per plate, remitted monthly to Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South and to be used exclusively to promote and support the foundation.
- $10.00 handling/administrative fee per plate, deposited to the State Central Services Fund for the benefit of DFA’s Revenue Division (credited as supplemental; not treated as direct revenue).
- Renewal: The plate may be renewed annually; renewal fees per statute will be remitted monthly to the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South.
- Mid‑South Community College plate: DFA is prohibited from printing or acquiring additional Mid‑South Community College education special plates. That plate will remain available for issuance and renewal only until the existing physical inventory is exhausted; it is deemed repealed thereafter for statutory purposes.
Fiscal impact and resources required
- One‑time estimated design and inventory setup cost: ~$20,000.
- Arkansas Integrated Revenue System (AIRS) Driver Services/Motor Vehicle modifications: estimated project cost $11,000.
- Ongoing: Unknown increase to the State Central Services Fund depending on number of plates issued; monthly design‑use payments to Make‑A‑Wish will depend on take‑up (number of plates sold/renewed).
- Taxpayer impact: Allows purchase of a special plate to support Make‑A‑Wish; purchasers pay the additional $30 design‑use contribution and $10 administrative fee.
Who is affected
- Motor vehicle owners in Arkansas who choose to purchase the Make‑A‑Wish special plate (will pay the additional fees).
- Make‑A‑Wish Foundation of the Mid South (recipient of $30 monthly contributions).
- DFA (administration, system changes, and Revenue Division accounting).
- Mid‑South Community College alumni or supporters who may seek their education specialty plate (no new production once inventory exhausted).
Timeline, procedural aspects, and implementation
- Requested implementation date: January 1, 2026.
- DFA will need to update the Motor Vehicle manual, DFA website, conduct staff training, and notify taxpayers.
- DFA will continue to issue Mid‑South Community College plates only while current inventory remains; no new prints will be ordered.
If you want:
- A standalone one‑page summary for the Pascagoula tourism tax bill (the title you initially provided), please upload that bill text or confirm which HB 1654 you want summarized.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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