The FCC also did that not only with the vanity call signs, but also with regular renewal that used to cost and is now free. The FAA now requires that you re-register your plane every 3 years. The fee is $5.00. They want to make sure that the aging fleet of general aviation aircraft gets accounted for correctly as there were planes on the registry that were still showing as active, but have been scrapped for decades. Now Vin Number system for them.
I pay $5.00 every time I get a NY Voucher for adding another handgun to one of my permits. I think it probably does not cover the administrative costs. There is a three part form and a person at the Sheriff's department fills it out along with a new affidavit that has to be signed saying you haven't become a criminal since the last purchase and then when you come back they get the form and reprint your carry permit. For me that is 5 new plastic cards since they do not just update your last one with an open space on it. Can't believe they even cover their costs.
The renewal cost of the permits are low, but the initial cost included fingerprinting fee and statewide and national searches, so again I am not sure they cover their costs.
My boat an car registration renewals are the bigger dollar amount ones that probably does bring revenue to the
Bob