The bill introduced in the 136th General Assembly seeks to amend section 4501.21 and enact section 4503.59 of the Revised Code to establish a new specialty license plate known as the "Equality Ohio" license plate. This initiative aims to create a license plate contribution fund within the state treasury, which will collect contributions from motor vehicle registrants. The funds generated will be allocated to various organizations and causes that focus on health, education, and community support, with a specific emphasis on promoting equality and inclusivity within Ohio. The bill also includes provisions for directing contributions to Equality Ohio, which will utilize the funds to advance its mission, including visibility and education for the LGBTQ+ community.

In addition to the creation of the "Equality Ohio" license plate, the bill outlines the application process for obtaining these plates, which can be combined with requests for special reserved license plates. It specifies the associated fees, including a regular license tax, a ten-dollar administrative fee, and a fifteen-dollar contribution for each application, all of which will be deposited into designated state funds. The bill repeals the existing section 4501.21 of the Revised Code and presents a composite version of this section, ensuring that the amendments are harmonized for simultaneous operation. Overall, this legislative effort reflects a commitment to enhancing community support and awareness through specialized license plates while maintaining existing provisions for contributions to various charitable organizations and educational initiatives.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4501.21