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S 904

"Quail Forever" Specialty License Plate

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chip Campsen and 4 co-sponsors

The Quail Forever plate adds a $70 biennial fee to support the South Carolina Bobwhite Initiative, with unspent funds going to DNR for quail conservation.

Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
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Bill Summary · S 904

Summary of Bill S.904 (2025-2026) — South Carolina: "Quail Forever" Specialty License Plate

Purpose and Intent

  • Create a new specialty license plate in South Carolina to support quail conservation efforts.
  • Designates funds to benefit the South Carolina Bobwhite Initiative through the Game Protection Fund.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Authority and Plate Issuance

    • The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may issue a new specialty license plate labeled "Quail Forever."
    • Availability: Plates may be issued to owners of private passenger vehicles or motorcycles registered in their names.
    • Production and distribution requirements: Governed by existing provisions in Section 56-3-8100 (i.e., the standard framework for specialty plates, including application, approval, production, and distribution processes).

  • Fees

    • The plate carries a biennial fee that consists of:
    • The regular registration fee (as defined in Article 5, Chapter 3 of Title 56).
    • An additional fee of seventy dollars ($70).

  • Use of Additional Fees

    • Any portion of the $70 that is not allocated by the Comptroller General to defray production and distribution costs must be deposited into the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Game Protection Fund.
    • Funds in the Game Protection Fund will be used for the South Carolina Bobwhite Initiative (a conservation program targeting the bobwhite quail).

  • Effective Date

    • The act becomes effective upon governor’s approval (i.e., it takes effect when enacted by the governor).

Affected Parties

  • Taxpayers/Vehicle Owners: Drivers who opt to obtain the "Quail Forever" specialty plate will pay the standard biennial registration plus the $70 extra.
  • Department of Motor Vehicles: Responsible for issuing and managing the plate in accordance with existing specialty-plate procedures.
  • Department of Natural Resources: Receives funds allocated to the Bobwhite Initiative from the surcharge portion that is not needed to cover production/distribution costs.
  • South Carolina Bobwhite Initiative: Direct beneficiary of the funds, supporting quail conservation efforts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Action:
    • Introduced and read first time on 2026-02-10.
    • Referred to the Committee on Transportation on 2026-02-10.
    • Committee reported Favorable on 2026-04-15.
  • Next Steps: If the bill passes the General Assembly and is signed by the Governor, it becomes law and the DMV could begin issuing the plate according to the approved schedule and production framework.

Practical Impact

  • Provides a targeted fundraising mechanism to support quail conservation, specifically the bobwhite quail, through a dedicated state fund.
  • Practical impact on vehicle owners is the optional purchase of a specialty plate with an added biennial fee, benefiting conservation programs.
  • The design and production costs are expected to be offset in part by the Comptroller General’s allocations, with any remainder directed to the DNR for conservation.

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

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