(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Nonstandard license plate" means all of the following:

(a) A license plate issued under sections 4503.52, 4503.55, 4503.56, 4503.57, 4503.70, 4503.71, 4503.72, and 4503.75 of the Revised Code;

(b) A license plate issued under a program that is reestablished under division (D) of this section and that meets the requirements contained in division (B) of section 4503.78 of the Revised Code;

(c) Except as may otherwise be specifically provided by law, any license plate created after August 21, 1997.

(2) For purposes of license plates issued under sections 4503.503 and 4503.504 of the Revised Code, "sponsor" includes the director of agriculture.

(B)

(1) If, during any calendar year, the total number of motor vehicle registrations involving a particular type of nonstandard license plate is less than twenty-five, including both new registrations and registration renewals, the registrar of motor vehicles, on or after the first day of January, but not later than the fifteenth day of January of the following year, shall send a written notice to the sponsor of that type of nonstandard license plate, if a sponsor exists, informing the sponsor of this fact. The registrar also shall inform the sponsor that if, during the calendar year in which the written notice is sent, the total number of motor vehicle registrations involving the sponsor's nonstandard license plate again is less than twenty-five, the program involving that type of nonstandard license plate will be terminated on the thirty-first day of December of the calendar year in which the written notice is sent and, except as provided in division (C) of this section, no motor vehicle registration application involving either the actual issuance of that type of nonstandard license plate or the registration renewal of a motor vehicle displaying that type of nonstandard license plate will be accepted by the registrar or a deputy registrar beginning the first day of January of the next calendar year. The registrar also shall inform the sponsor that if the program involving the sponsor's nonstandard license plate is terminated under this section, it may be reestablished pursuant to division (D) of this section.

(2) If, during any calendar year, the total number of motor vehicle registrations involving a particular type of nonstandard license plate is less than twenty-five, including both new registrations and registration renewals, and no sponsor exists for that license plate, the registrar shall issue a public notice on or after the first day of January, but not later than the fifteenth day of January of the following year, stating that fact. The notice also shall inform the public that if, during the calendar year in which the registrar issues the public notice, the total number of motor vehicle registrations for that type of nonstandard license plate, including both new registrations and registration renewals, again is less than twenty-five, the program involving that type of nonstandard license plate will be terminated on the thirty-first day of December of the calendar year in which the registrar issues the public notice and, except as provided in division (C) of this section, no motor vehicle registration application involving either the actual issuance of that type of nonstandard license plate or the registration renewal of a motor vehicle displaying that type of nonstandard license plate will be accepted by the registrar or a deputy registrar beginning on the first day of January of the next calendar year.

(C) If the program involving a type of nonstandard license plate is terminated under division (B) of this section, the registration of any motor vehicle displaying that type of nonstandard license plate at the time of termination may be renewed so long as the nonstandard license plates remain serviceable. If the nonstandard license plates of such a motor vehicle become unfit for service, the owner of the motor vehicle may apply for the issuance of nonstandard license plates of that same type, but the registrar or deputy registrar shall issue such nonstandard license plates only if at the time of application the stock of the bureau contains license plates of that type of nonstandard license plate. If, at the time of such application, the stock of the bureau does not contain license plates of that type of nonstandard license plate, the registrar or deputy registrar shall inform the owner of that fact, and the application shall be refused.

If the program involving a type of nonstandard license plate is terminated under division (B) of this section and the registration of motor vehicles displaying such license plates continues as permitted by this division, the registrar, for as long as such registrations continue to be issued, shall continue to collect and distribute any contribution that was required to be collected and distributed prior to the termination of that program.

(D) If the program involving a nonstandard license plate is terminated under division (B)(1) of this section, the sponsor of that license plate may apply to the registrar for the reestablishment of the program. If the program involving that nonstandard license plate is reestablished, the reestablishment is subject to division (B) of section 4503.78 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2015.

Effective Date: 10-21-1997; 2008 HB293 08-14-2008