A state committee that reviews specialty license plate applications approved more than a dozen new and redesigned plates Thursday, voting to allow nonprofits, colleges and public‑safety groups to move forward with specialty tags whose sale proceeds will fund local programs and scholarships.

The approvals cover both new plates — including Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Dream Court Inc., the Birthplace of Mardi Gras Foundation, 9‑1‑1 Lifesaver and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority — and redesigns or reissues for colleges and long‑running causes, such as Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, National Wild Turkey Federation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, Bishop State Community College, Alabama State University, Athens State University, Jacksonville State University, Oakwood University, UAB and UAH.

The committee’s work matters because specialty plate sales provide recurring, unrestricted revenue for education, conservation, emergency‑services training and medical research programs around the state. “We work together so that this meeting will be smooth,” said David Baxley, director of the Motor Vehicle Division at the Alabama Department of Revenue, describing his office’s role processing applications and payments. The Department of Public Safety also screened designs for legibility, said Colonel John Archer, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Presenters described how their plates would be used. Chris Spencer, regional director for Delta Waterfowl, said Delta Waterfowl’s Alabama chapters retain funds locally for habitat work, hunter recruitment and youth outreach. Henry Weatherly, a Dream Court director, said the Montgomery‑based adaptive sports nonprofit has about 900 volunteers and 300 athletes across five cities; funds would support adaptive athletics and volunteer training. Ginny Farris, Morgan County 9‑1‑1 director, said a 9‑1‑1 Lifesaver plate would pay for training for rural emergency‑dispatch centers and increase awareness of the profession after Alabama designated 9‑1‑1 workers first responders in February 2023.

Scott Bridal, acting president of the Alabama chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, described using plate revenue to support school archery and shotgun teams, scholarships and habitat work. Beth Davis, president and CEO of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, said the foundation has raised about $6.5 million from its plate since inception and funds research at multiple Alabama institutions; about 15,000 Alabamians now display the plate.

Committee members moved and voted on each application during the meeting. Several approvals were made by voice vote with no objections recorded. When the Department of Public Safety flagged legibility questions, presenters either noted planned adjustments or the committee conditioned approval on legibility clearance.

Less‑controversial reissues and redesigns for colleges and universities were also approved; presenters said proceeds would support scholarships and institutional programs. Margaret Ann Gilchrist, executive director of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation, said the foundation recently awarded more than $61,000 in grants and maintains an endowment near $2 million.

The committee’s approvals now allow the organizations to move forward with production and marketing under the licensing process administered by county probate and revenue offices. Several presenters and committee members noted logistical details in passing — for example, that gifts to the committee must be under $25 — but no additional policy changes were adopted at the meeting.

The committee is chaired by Sen. April Weaver and includes state and local officials who review applications, consult on legibility and manage plate issuance. The meeting included public presentations from applicant organizations and routine reissuance requests.

Approved plates and reissues announced at the meeting include: Delta Waterfowl Foundation; Dream Court Inc.; Birthplace of Mardi Gras Foundation; 9‑1‑1 Lifesaver (Alabama NENA); Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; Demopolis City Schools Foundation; Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (redesign); National Wild Turkey Federation (reissue); Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (reissue); Alabama Yoga and Love (reissue); Bishop State Community College (reissue); Alabama State University (redesign); Athens State University (redesign); Jacksonville State University (redesign); Oakwood University (reissue); University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB, reissue/redesign); University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH, reissue/redesign).

Committee members said approvals were routine and intended to let the named organizations begin sales and local fundraising tied to their specialty plates. The committee did not change statute or licensing rules at the meeting; presenters and staff noted that some designs required final legibility sign‑off before plates can be printed and sold.