(A) As used in this section, "abandoned property" has the same meaning as in section 1506.30 of the Revised Code.

(B) The Ohio history connection shall establish a program to locate, identify, and evaluate abandoned property and other resources in Lake Erie. The Ohio history connection, in accordance with the authority granted under section 149.30 of the Revised Code, may list any abandoned property it finds to have historical significance on its Ohio archaeological inventory or Ohio historical inventory as the director of the Ohio history connection considers appropriate. In determining whether an item has historical significance, the director shall follow the criteria of the national register of historic places established in 36 C.F.R. 60. The director shall notify the director of natural resources of any abandoned property found to have historical significance. The Ohio history connection may use the services of volunteers to locate, identify, and evaluate abandoned property in Lake Erie. The director shall approve any volunteer programs and may recruit, train, and supervise the services of volunteers.

(C) The moneys credited to the Ohio history connection under division (C) of section 1506.35 of the Revised Code and any appropriations, contributions, gifts, and federal grants made to the Ohio history connection for the purposes of this section and the applicable provisions of sections 1506.30 to 1506.36 of the Revised Code shall be placed in a separate fund within the accounts of the Ohio history connection, together with moneys credited to that fund under divisions (D)(2) and (3) of section 1506.33 of the Revised Code, to be used solely to implement and administer this section and the duties assigned the Ohio history connection under sections 1506.30 to 1506.36 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 141, §1, eff. 9/29/2015.

Effective Date: 03-02-1992; 12-30-2004; 06-27-2005