Senator Johnson's bill seeks to amend section 4501.21 and enact section 4503.947 of the Revised Code to introduce a new specialty license plate called the "Land of U.S. Grant." This initiative is part of a broader effort to create specialty plates that support charitable causes in Ohio. The bill establishes a license plate contribution fund to collect contributions from motor vehicle registrants, which will be allocated by the registrar of motor vehicles to various organizations and funds dedicated to health care, education, and community services. The bill also creates a special bank account for the state chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Inc., to support wetland and wildlife habitat management, and outlines specific contributions to organizations like the Mahoning River Consortium and Glen Helen Association.

Additionally, the bill specifies that contributions received by the registrar will be directed to school districts and private schools for student welfare and mental health services, mandating that funds be split between tuition assistance and mental health-related expenses. It emphasizes that contributions cannot be used for political purposes or employee salaries, and that any hired charitable organizations must be tax-exempt under subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The bill also introduces new fees for the registration and renewal of the "Land of U.S. Grant" license plates, including a ten-dollar administrative fee and a twenty-dollar contribution for the license plate fund, while repealing the existing section 4501.21 to streamline the process.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4501.21
As Reported By Senate Committee: 4501.21
As Passed By Senate: 4501.21