Bills to provide funds for the Florida Horse Park through sale of specialty license plates are on Gov. Charlie Crist's desk. S 736 and companion bill HB 351 would create several specialty license plates for vehicles, including one that would benefit the 500-acre park in Ocala.

Should the governor sign the bills, the plates would go on sale Oct. 1. The prototype shows a horse standing at the beach and says "Discover Florida's Horses."

The park has been urging the state government to pass such legislation since 2009, but last year it lacked enough votes in the Senate to pass. According to the park's website, "The fees generated from the license plate will go towards continued development of the park, including the construction of additional educational facilities, barns, and other structures; to provide improvements to the existing infrastructure at the park; and to fund operational expenses of the park."

Sale of the plates would reportedly generate an estimated $250,000 annually