As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session H. B. No. 115
2025-2026
Representatives Demetriou, Roemer
Cosponsors: Representatives Daniels, Dovilla, Gross, Klopfenstein, Lorenz, Ray,
Thomas, D., Williams, Workman
A B I L L
To amend sections 3704.14, 4503.10, 4503.102, and
4503.103 of the Revised Code to create an
alternative method to certify compliance with
the E-Check program and to name this act the E-
Check Ease Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 3704.14, 4503.10, 4503.102, and
4503.103 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 3704.14. (A)(1) If the director of environmental
protection determines that implementation of a motor vehicle
inspection and maintenance program is necessary for the state to
effectively comply with the federal Clean Air Act after June 30,
2023, the director may provide for the implementation of the
program in those counties in this state in which such a program
is federally mandated. Upon making such a determination, the
director of environmental protection may request the director of
administrative services to extend the terms of the contract that
was entered into under the authority of Am. Sub. H.B. 64 of the
131st general assembly. Upon receiving the request, the director
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of administrative services shall extend the contract, beginning
on July 1, 2023, in accordance with this section. The contract
shall be extended for a period of up to twenty-four months with
the contractor who conducted the motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance program under that contract.
(2) Prior to the expiration of the contract extension that
is authorized by division (A)(1) of this section, the director
of environmental protection shall request the director of
administrative services to enter into a contract with a vendor
to operate a decentralized motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance program in each county in this state in which such a
program is federally mandated through June 30, 2027, with an
option for the state to renew the contract for a period of up to
twenty-four months through June 30, 2029. The contract shall
ensure that the decentralized motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance program achieves at least the same emission
reductions as achieved by the program operated under the
authority of the contract that was extended under division (A)
(1) of this section. The director of administrative services
shall select a vendor through a competitive selection process in
compliance with Chapter 125. of the Revised Code.
(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the director
of administrative services shall ensure that a competitive
selection process regarding a contract to operate a
decentralized motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program
in this state incorporates the following, which shall be
included in the contract:
(a) For purposes of expanding the number of testing
locations for consumer convenience, a requirement that the
vendor utilize established local businesses, auto repair
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facilities, or leased properties to operate state-approved
inspection and maintenance testing facilities;
(b) A requirement that the vendor selected to operate the
program provide notification of the program's requirements to
each owner of a motor vehicle that is required to be inspected
under the program. The contract shall require the notification
to be provided not later than sixty days prior to the date by
which the owner of the motor vehicle is required to have the
motor vehicle inspected. The director of environmental
protection and the vendor shall jointly agree on the content of
the notice. However, the notice shall include at a minimum the
locations of all inspection facilities within a specified
distance of the address that is listed on the owner's motor
vehicle registration;
(c) A requirement that the vendor comply with testing
methodology and supply the required equipment approved by the
director of environmental protection as specified in the
competitive selection process in compliance with Chapter 125. of
the Revised Code.
(4) A decentralized motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance program operated under this section shall comply
with division (B) of this section. The director of environmental
protection shall administer the decentralized motor vehicle
inspection and maintenance program operated under this section.
(B) The director shall establish a decentralized motor
vehicle inspection and maintenance program as authorized by this
section and, at a minimum, the director shall do ensure that the
program does all of the following:
(1) Comply Complies with the federal Clean Air Act;
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(2) Provide Provides for the issuance of inspection
certificates and alternative emissions certificates as specified
in rules adopted under division (C)(2) of this section ;
(3) Provide Provides for a new car exemption for motor
vehicles four six years old or newer and provide provides that a
new motor vehicle is exempt for four six years regardless of
whether legal title to the motor vehicle is transferred during
that period;
(4) Provide Provides for an exemption for battery electric
motor vehicles;
(5) Provides for an exemption for hybrid motor vehicles
seven years old or newer and provides that a hybrid motor
vehicle is exempt for seven years regardless of whether legal
title to the motor vehicle is transferred during that period .
(C)(1) The director of environmental protection shall
adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code
that the director determines are necessary to implement this
section. The director may continue to implement and enforce
rules pertaining to the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance
program previously implemented under former section 3704.14 of
the Revised Code as that section existed prior to its repeal and
reenactment by Am. Sub. H.B. 66 of the 126th general assembly,
provided that the rules do not conflict with this section.
(2) The director of environmental protection shall issue
an inspection certificate provided for under division (B)(2) of
this section in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised
Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:
(a) The individual holds a certificate or license in
another state.
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(b) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a
government certification, or a private certification as
described in that chapter as a vehicle inspector in a state that
does not issue that certificate.
The rules adopted under division (C)(1) of this section
shall provide for the issuance of inspections certificates and
alternative emissions certificates. Under the rules, an
inspection certificate shall be issued to the owner or lessee of
a motor vehicle when the motor vehicle passes an emissions
inspection conducted in accordance with the motor vehicle
inspection and maintenance program established under this
section. In lieu of obtaining an inspection certificate, the
rules shall establish a system by which the owner or lessee of a
motor vehicle may request an alternative emissions certificate
from the director.
(a) The rules providing for the issuance of alternative
emissions certificates shall require an owner or lessee of a
motor vehicle to do the following in order to receive the
certificate:
(i) Complete and submit an attestation form created by the
director that includes a statement that reads substantially as
follows:
"I, _______, attest that, to the best of my knowledge, the
motor vehicle concerning which I am the owner or lessee complies
with all laws of Ohio and the United States governing motor
vehicle emissions. I, ______, am aware that a false statement on
this form is not permitted."
(ii) Sign and date the form either manually or
electronically;
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(iii) Submit the form to the director either by regular
mail, certified mail, or electronically.
(b) The rules shall require the director to include both
of the following additional information on the attestation form:
(i) A provision that allows the owner or lessee of a motor
vehicle to specify one of the following methods by which the
owner or lessee may request delivery of the alternative
emissions certificate: certified mail, noncertified mail, or
electronically;
(ii) A provision that allows the owner or lessee of a
motor vehicle to specify the vehicle identification number,
make, model, and year of the relevant motor vehicle and the date
the attestation form is submitted to the director.
(c) Subject to division (C)(2)(d) of this section, the
rules shall require the director to deliver an alternative
emission certificate to the owner or lessee of a motor vehicle
who complies with rules adopted under division (C)(2)(a) of this
section. The director shall deliver the certificate within
thirty business days after the director's receipt of the
attestation form or, if the owner or lessee submits the form
electronically, within five business days after receipt of the
form. The director shall confirm the receipt of the attestation
form if the director receives it by electronic means.
(d) The rules shall require the director to reject an
attestation form for any of the following reasons:
(i) The motor vehicle that is the subject of the
attestation form was in an accident or collision within the two
years prior to the date of submission of the form, and the
accident or collision caused substantial damage to the internal
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structure of the motor vehicle.
(ii) The owner or lessee of the motor vehicle that is the
subject of the attestation form has received a ticket, citation,
or summons with regard to that motor vehicle within the two
years prior to the date of submission of the form for a
violation of section 4513.22 of the Revised Code or
substantially equivalent municipal ordinance.
(iii) The information in the attestation form is
determined by the director to be false.
If the director rejects an attestation form under division
(C)(2)(d)(iii) of this section, the director shall provide
notice to the owner or lessee that the attestation form was
determined to be false. The notice shall inform the owner or
lessee that the owner or lessee may submit a corrected form to
the director within thirty days of the receipt of the notice. If
the owner or lessee submits a corrected attestation form that
complies with rules adopted under division (C)(2) of this
section within that thirty-day period, the director shall issue
an alternative emissions certificate to the owner or lessee. If
the owner or lessee fails to correct the attestation form, the
director shall require the owner or lessee to complete an
emissions inspection and obtain an inspection certificate in
accordance with rules adopted under this section.
If the director rejects an attestation form under division
(C)(2)(d)(i) or (ii) of this section, the director shall require
the owner or lessee to complete an emissions inspection and
obtain an inspection certificate in accordance with rules
adopted under this section.
(e) In adopting rules under division (C)(2) of this
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section, the director shall ensure that the owner or lessee of a
motor vehicle who falsifies an attestation form receives a
notice that includes a statement that reads substantially as
follows: "You have falsified an attestation form for your
vehicle under the E-Check/motor vehicle emissions testing
program. Your vehicle is registered in one of [insert the number
of counties] counties in this state that has federal emission
mandates imposed on it that the State of Ohio is required, under
threat of penalty, to enforce. This letter serves as Ohio's only
penalty for falsification of an attestation form. You have
thirty days from the date of this notice to amend your
attestation form and submit the amended form to the
Environmental Protection Agency. However, if you choose not to
submit an amended attestation form, you must have a motor
vehicle emissions inspection conducted for your vehicle in
accordance with section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and rules
adopted under it."
(f) No penalties apply to a person who the director has
determined to have falsified an attestation form, other than the
issuance of the notice required under division (C)(2)(e) of this
section.
(D) There is hereby created in the state treasury the auto
emissions test fund, which shall consist of money received by
the director from any cash transfers, state and local grants,
and other contributions that are received for the purpose of
funding the program established under this section. The director
of environmental protection shall use money in the fund solely
for the implementation, supervision, administration, operation,
and enforcement of the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance
program established under this section. Money in the fund shall
not be used for either of the following:
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(1) To pay for the inspection costs incurred by a motor
vehicle dealer so that the dealer may provide inspection
certificates to an individual purchasing a motor vehicle from
the dealer when that individual resides in a county that is
subject to the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program;
(2) To provide payment for more than one free passing
emissions inspection or a total of three emissions inspections
for a motor vehicle in any three-hundred-sixty-five-day period.
The owner or lessee of a motor vehicle is responsible for
inspection fees that are related to emissions inspections beyond
one free passing emissions inspection or three total emissions
inspections in any three-hundred-sixty-five-day period.
Inspection fees that are charged by a contractor conducting
emissions inspections under a motor vehicle inspection and
maintenance program shall be approved by the director of
environmental protection.
(E) The motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program
established under this section expires upon the termination of
all contracts entered into under this section and shall not be
implemented beyond the final date on which termination occurs.
(F) As used in this section "battery electric motor
vehicle" has and "hybrid motor vehicle" have the same meaning
meanings as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 4503.10. (A) The owner of every snowmobile, off-
highway motorcycle, and all-purpose vehicle required to be
registered under section 4519.02 of the Revised Code shall file
an application for registration under section 4519.03 of the
Revised Code. The owner of a motor vehicle, other than a
snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle, that
is not designed and constructed by the manufacturer for
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operation on a street or highway may not register it under this
chapter except upon certification of inspection pursuant to
section 4513.02 of the Revised Code by the sheriff, or the chief
of police of the municipal corporation or township, with
jurisdiction over the political subdivision in which the owner
of the motor vehicle resides. Except as provided in sections
4503.103 and 4503.107 of the Revised Code, every owner of every
other motor vehicle not previously described in this section and
every person mentioned as owner in the last certificate of title
of a motor vehicle that is operated or driven upon the public
roads or highways shall cause to be filed each year, by mail or
otherwise, in the office of the registrar of motor vehicles or a
deputy registrar, a written or electronic application or a
preprinted registration renewal notice issued under section
4503.102 of the Revised Code, the form of which shall be
prescribed by the registrar, for registration for the following
registration year, which shall begin on the first day of January
of every calendar year and end on the thirty-first day of
December in the same year. Applications for registration and
registration renewal notices shall be filed at the times
established by the registrar pursuant to section 4503.101 of the
Revised Code. A motor vehicle owner also may elect to apply for
or renew a motor vehicle registration by electronic means using
electronic signature in accordance with rules adopted by the
registrar. Except as provided in division (J) of this section,
applications for registration shall be made on blanks furnished
by the registrar for that purpose, containing the following
information:
(1) A brief description of the motor vehicle to be
registered, including the year, make, model, and vehicle
identification number, and, in the case of commercial cars, the
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gross weight of the vehicle fully equipped computed in the
manner prescribed in section 4503.08 of the Revised Code;
(2) The name and residence address of the owner, and the
township and municipal corporation in which the owner resides;
(3) The district of registration, which shall be
determined as follows:
(a) In case the motor vehicle to be registered is used for
hire or principally in connection with any established business
or branch business, conducted at a particular place, the
district of registration is the municipal corporation in which
that place is located or, if not located in any municipal
corporation, the county and township in which that place is
located.
(b) In case the vehicle is not so used, the district of
registration is the municipal corporation or county in which the
owner resides at the time of making the application.
(4) Whether the motor vehicle is a new or used motor
vehicle;
(5) The date of purchase of the motor vehicle;
(6) Whether the fees required to be paid for the
registration or transfer of the motor vehicle, during the
preceding registration year and during the preceding period of
the current registration year, have been paid. Each application
for registration shall be signed by the owner, either manually
or by electronic signature, or pursuant to obtaining a limited
power of attorney authorized by the registrar for registration,
or other document authorizing such signature. If the owner
elects to apply for or renew the motor vehicle registration with
the registrar by electronic means, the owner's manual signature
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is not required.
(7) The owner's social security number, driver's license
number, or state identification number, or, where a motor
vehicle to be registered is used for hire or principally in
connection with any established business, the owner's federal
taxpayer identification number. The bureau of motor vehicles
shall retain in its records all social security numbers provided
under this section, but the bureau shall not place social
security numbers on motor vehicle certificates of registration.
(8) Whether the applicant wishes to certify willingness to
make an anatomical gift if an applicant has not so certified
under section 2108.05 of the Revised Code. The applicant's
response shall not be considered in the decision of whether to
approve the application for registration.
(B)(1) When an applicant first registers a motor vehicle
in the applicant's name, the applicant shall provide proof of
ownership of that motor vehicle. Proof of ownership may include
any of the following:
(a) The applicant may present for inspection a physical
certificate of title or memorandum certificate showing title to
the motor vehicle to be registered in the name of the applicant.
(b) The applicant may present for inspection an electronic
certificate of title for the applicant's motor vehicle in a
manner prescribed by rules adopted by the registrar.
(c) The registrar or deputy registrar may electronically
confirm the applicant's ownership of the motor vehicle.
An applicant is not required to present a certificate of
title to an electronic motor vehicle dealer acting as a limited
authority deputy registrar in accordance with rules adopted by
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the registrar.
(2) When a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance
program is in effect under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code
and rules adopted under it, each application for registration
for a vehicle required to be inspected under that section and
those rules shall be accompanied by an inspection certificate or
alternative emissions certificate for the motor vehicle issued
in accordance with that section.
(3) An application for registration shall be refused if
any of the following applies:
(a) The application is not in proper form.
(b) The application is prohibited from being accepted by
division (D) of section 2935.27, division (A) of section
4503.13, division (B) of section 4510.22, division (D) of
section 4503.234, division (B)(1) of section 4521.10, or
division (B) of section 5537.041 of the Revised Code.
(c) Proof of ownership is required but is not presented or
confirmed in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section.
(d) All registration and transfer fees for the motor
vehicle, for the preceding year or the preceding period of the
current registration year, have not been paid.
(e) The owner or lessee does not have an inspection
certificate or alternative emissions certificate for the motor
vehicle as provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, and
rules adopted under it, if that section is applicable.
(4) This section does not require the payment of license
or registration taxes on a motor vehicle for any preceding year,
or for any preceding period of a year, if the motor vehicle was
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not taxable for that preceding year or period under sections
4503.02, 4503.04, 4503.11, 4503.12, and 4503.16 or Chapter 4504.
of the Revised Code.
(5) When a certificate of registration is issued upon the
first registration of a motor vehicle by or on behalf of the
owner, the official issuing the certificate shall indicate the
issuance with a stamp on the certificate of title or memorandum
certificate or, in the case of an electronic certificate of
title or electronic verification of ownership, an electronic
stamp or other notation as specified in rules adopted by the
registrar, and with a stamp on the inspection certificate for
the motor vehicle, if any.
(6) The official also shall indicate, by a stamp or by
other means the registrar prescribes, on the registration
certificate issued upon the first registration of a motor
vehicle by or on behalf of the owner the odometer reading of the
motor vehicle as shown in the odometer statement included in or
attached to the certificate of title. Upon each subsequent
registration of the motor vehicle by or on behalf of the same
owner, the official also shall so indicate the odometer reading
of the motor vehicle as shown on the immediately preceding
certificate of registration.
(7) The registrar shall include in the permanent
registration record of any vehicle required to be inspected
under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code the inspection
certificate number from the inspection certificate or the
alternative emissions certificate number from the alternative
emissions certificate that is presented at the time of
registration of the vehicle as required under this division.
(C)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(1) of
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this section, the registrar and each deputy registrar shall
collect an additional fee of eleven dollars for each application
for registration and registration renewal received. For vehicles
specified in divisions (A)(1) to (21) of section 4503.042 of the
Revised Code, the registrar and deputy registrar shall collect
an additional fee of thirty dollars for each application for
registration and registration renewal received. No additional
fee shall be charged for vehicles registered under section
4503.65 of the Revised Code. The additional fee is for the
purpose of defraying the department of public safety's costs
associated with the administration and enforcement of the motor
vehicle and traffic laws of Ohio. Each deputy registrar shall
transmit the fees collected under divisions (C)(1) and (3) of
this section in the time and manner provided in this section.
The registrar shall deposit all moneys received under division
(C)(1) of this section into the public safety - highway purposes
fund established in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code.
(2) In addition, a charge of twenty-five cents shall be
made for each reflectorized safety license plate issued, and a
single charge of twenty-five cents shall be made for each county
identification sticker or each set of county identification
stickers issued, as the case may be, to cover the cost of
producing the license plates and stickers, including material,
manufacturing, and administrative costs. Those fees shall be in
addition to the license tax. If the total cost of producing the
plates is less than twenty-five cents per plate, or if the total
cost of producing the stickers is less than twenty-five cents
per sticker or per set issued, any excess moneys accruing from
the fees shall be distributed in the same manner as provided by
section 4501.04 of the Revised Code for the distribution of
license tax moneys. If the total cost of producing the plates
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exceeds twenty-five cents per plate, or if the total cost of
producing the stickers exceeds twenty-five cents per sticker or
per set issued, the difference shall be paid from the license
tax moneys collected pursuant to section 4503.02 of the Revised
Code.
(3) The registrar and each deputy registrar shall collect
the following additional fee, as applicable, for each
application for registration or registration renewal received
for any hybrid motor vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric motor
vehicle, or battery electric motor vehicle:
(a) One hundred dollars for a hybrid motor vehicle;
(b) One hundred fifty dollars for a plug-in hybrid
electric motor vehicle;
(c) Two hundred dollars for a battery electric motor
vehicle.
Each fee imposed under this division shall be prorated
based on the number of months for which the vehicle is
registered. The registrar shall transmit all money arising from
each fee to the treasurer of state for distribution in
accordance with division (E) of section 5735.051 of the Revised
Code, subject to division (D) of section 5735.05 of the Revised
Code.
(D) Each deputy registrar shall be allowed a fee equal to
the amount established under section 4503.038 of the Revised
Code for each application for registration and registration
renewal notice the deputy registrar receives, which shall be for
the purpose of compensating the deputy registrar for the deputy
registrar's services, and such office and rental expenses, as
may be necessary for the proper discharge of the deputy
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registrar's duties in the receiving of applications and renewal
notices and the issuing of registrations.
(E) Upon the certification of the registrar, the county
sheriff or local police officials shall recover license plates
erroneously or fraudulently issued.
(F) Each deputy registrar, upon receipt of any application
for registration or registration renewal notice, together with
the license fee and any local motor vehicle license tax levied
pursuant to Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, shall transmit
that fee and tax, if any, in the manner provided in this
section, together with the original and duplicate copy of the
application, to the registrar. The registrar, subject to the
approval of the director of public safety, may deposit the funds
collected by those deputies in a local bank or depository to the
credit of the "state of Ohio, bureau of motor vehicles." Where a
local bank or depository has been designated by the registrar,
each deputy registrar shall deposit all moneys collected by the
deputy registrar into that bank or depository not more than one
business day after their collection and shall make reports to
the registrar of the amounts so deposited, together with any
other information, some of which may be prescribed by the
treasurer of state, as the registrar may require and as
prescribed by the registrar by rule. The registrar, within three
days after receipt of notification of the deposit of funds by a
deputy registrar in a local bank or depository, shall draw on
that account in favor of the treasurer of state. The registrar,
subject to the approval of the director and the treasurer of
state, may make reasonable rules necessary for the prompt
transmittal of fees and for safeguarding the interests of the
state and of counties, townships, municipal corporations, and
transportation improvement districts levying local motor vehicle
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license taxes. The registrar may pay service charges usually
collected by banks and depositories for such service. If deputy
registrars are located in communities where banking facilities
are not available, they shall transmit the fees forthwith, by
money order or otherwise, as the registrar, by rule approved by
the director and the treasurer of state, may prescribe. The
registrar may pay the usual and customary fees for such service.
(G) This section does not prevent any person from making
an application for a motor vehicle license directly to the
registrar by mail, by electronic means, or in person at any of
the registrar's offices, upon payment of a service fee equal to
the amount established under section 4503.038 of the Revised
Code for each application.
(H) No person shall make a false statement as to the
district of registration in an application required by division
(A) of this section. Violation of this division is falsification
under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code and punishable as
specified in that section.
(I)(1) Where applicable, the requirements of division (B)
of this section relating to the presentation of an inspection
certificate issued under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and
rules adopted under it for a motor vehicle, the refusal of a
license for failure to present an inspection certificate or
alternative emissions certificate , and the stamping of the
inspection certificate or alternative emissions certificate by
the official issuing the certificate of registration apply to
the registration of and issuance of license plates for a motor
vehicle under sections 4503.102, 4503.12, 4503.14, 4503.15,
4503.16, 4503.171, 4503.172, 4503.19, 4503.40, 4503.41, 4503.42,
4503.43, 4503.44, 4503.46, 4503.47, and 4503.51 of the Revised
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Code.
(2)(a) The registrar shall adopt rules ensuring that each
owner registering a motor vehicle in a county where a motor
vehicle inspection and maintenance program is in effect under
section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under it
receives information about the requirements established in that
section and those rules and about the need in those counties to
present an inspection certificate or an alternative emissions
certificate with an application for registration or
preregistration.
(b) Upon request, the registrar shall provide the director
of environmental protection, or any person that has been awarded
a contract under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, an on-line
computer data link to registration information for all passenger
cars, noncommercial motor vehicles, and commercial cars that are
subject to that section. The registrar also shall provide to the
director of environmental protection a magnetic data tape
containing registration information regarding passenger cars,
noncommercial motor vehicles, and commercial cars for which a
multi-year registration is in effect under section 4503.103 of
the Revised Code or rules adopted under it, including, without
limitation, the date of issuance of the multi-year registration,
the registration deadline established under rules adopted under
section 4503.101 of the Revised Code that was applicable in the
year in which the multi-year registration was issued, and the
registration deadline for renewal of the multi-year
registration.
(J) Subject to division (K) of this section, application
for registration under the international registration plan, as
set forth in sections 4503.60 to 4503.66 of the Revised Code,
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shall be made to the registrar on forms furnished by the
registrar. In accordance with international registration plan
guidelines and pursuant to rules adopted by the registrar, the
forms shall include the following:
(1) A uniform mileage schedule;
(2) The gross vehicle weight of the vehicle or combined
gross vehicle weight of the combination vehicle as declared by
the registrant;
(3) Any other information the registrar requires by rule.
(K) The registrar shall determine the feasibility of
implementing an electronic commercial fleet licensing and
management program that will enable the owners of commercial
tractors, commercial trailers, and commercial semitrailers to
conduct electronic transactions by July 1, 2010, or sooner. If
the registrar determines that implementing such a program is
feasible, the registrar shall adopt new rules under this
division or amend existing rules adopted under this division as
necessary in order to respond to advances in technology.
If international registration plan guidelines and
provisions allow member jurisdictions to permit applications for
registrations under the international registration plan to be
made via the internet, the rules the registrar adopts under this
division shall permit such action.
Sec. 4503.102. (A) The registrar of motor vehicles shall
adopt rules to establish a centralized system of motor vehicle
registration renewal by mail or by electronic means. Any person
owning a motor vehicle that was registered in the person's name
during the preceding registration year shall renew the
registration of the motor vehicle not more than ninety days
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581 H. B. No. 115 Page 21
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prior to the expiration date of the registration either by mail
or by electronic means through the centralized system of
registration established under this section, or in person at any
office of the registrar or at a deputy registrar's office.
(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this
section, no less than forty-five days prior to the expiration
date of any motor vehicle registration, the registrar shall mail
a renewal notice to the person in whose name the motor vehicle
is registered. The renewal notice shall clearly state that the
registration of the motor vehicle may be renewed by mail or
electronic means through the centralized system of registration
or in person at any office of the registrar or at a deputy
registrar's office and shall be preprinted with information
including, but not limited to, the owner's name and residence
address as shown in the records of the bureau of motor vehicles,
a brief description of the motor vehicle to be registered,
notice of the license taxes and fees due on the motor vehicle,
the toll-free telephone number of the registrar as required
under division (D)(1) of section 4503.031 of the Revised Code, a
statement that payment for a renewal may be made by financial
transaction device using the toll-free telephone number, and any
additional information the registrar may require by rule. The
renewal notice shall not include the social security number of
either the owner of the motor vehicle or the person in whose
name the motor vehicle is registered. The renewal notice shall
be sent by regular mail to the owner's last known address as
shown in the records of the bureau of motor vehicles.
(2) The registrar is not required to mail a renewal notice
if either of the following applies:
(a) The owner of the vehicle has consented to receiving
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the renewal notice by electronic means only.
(b) The application for renewal of the registration of a
motor vehicle is prohibited from being accepted by the registrar
or a deputy registrar by division (D) of section 2935.27,
division (A) of section 4503.13, division (B) of section
4510.22, division (D) of section 4503.234, division (B)(1) of
section 4521.10, or division (B) of section 5537.041 of the
Revised Code.
(3) If the owner of a motor vehicle has consented to
receiving a renewal notice by electronic means only, the
registrar shall send an electronic renewal notice to the owner
that contains the information specified in division (B)(1) of
this section at the time specified under that division.
(C) The owner of the motor vehicle shall verify the
information contained in the notice, sign it either manually or
by electronic means, and return it, either by mail or electronic
means, or the owner may take it in person to any office of the
registrar or of a deputy registrar. The owner shall include with
the notice a financial transaction device number when renewing
in person or by electronic means but not by mail, check, or
money order in the amount of the registration taxes and fees
payable on the motor vehicle and a service fee equal to the
amount established under section 4503.038 of the Revised Code,
plus postage as indicated on the notice if the registration is
renewed or fulfilled by mail, and an inspection certificate or
alternative emissions certificate for the motor vehicle as
provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code. For purposes of
the centralized system of motor vehicle registration, the
registrar shall accept payments via the toll-free telephone
number established under division (D)(1) of section 4503.031 of
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641 H. B. No. 115 Page 23
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the Revised Code for renewals made by mail. If the motor vehicle
owner chooses to renew the motor vehicle registration by
electronic means, the owner shall proceed in accordance with the
rules the registrar adopts.
(D) If all registration and transfer fees for the motor
vehicle for the preceding year or the preceding period of the
current registration year have not been paid, if division (D) of
section 2935.27, division (A) of section 4503.13, division (B)
of section 4510.22, division (D) of section 4503.234, division
(B)(1) of section 4521.10, or division (B) of section 5537.041
of the Revised Code prohibits acceptance of the renewal notice,
or if the owner or lessee does not have an inspection
certificate or alternative emissions certificate for the motor
vehicle as provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, if
that section is applicable, the license shall be refused, and
the registrar or deputy registrar shall so notify the owner.
This section does not require the payment of license or
registration taxes on a motor vehicle for any preceding year, or
for any preceding period of a year, if the motor vehicle was not
taxable for that preceding year or period under section 4503.02,
4503.04, 4503.11, 4503.12, or 4503.16 or Chapter 4504. of the
Revised Code.
(E)(1) Failure to receive a renewal notice does not
relieve a motor vehicle owner from the responsibility to renew
the registration for the motor vehicle. Any person who has a
motor vehicle registered in this state and who does not receive
a renewal notice as provided in division (B) of this section
prior to the expiration date of the registration shall request
an application for registration from the registrar or a deputy
registrar and sign the application manually or by electronic
means and submit the application and pay any applicable license
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672 H. B. No. 115 Page 24
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taxes and fees to the registrar or deputy registrar.
(2) If the owner of a motor vehicle submits an application
for registration and the registrar is prohibited by division (D)
of section 2935.27, division (A) of section 4503.13, division
(B) of section 4510.22, division (D) of section 4503.234,
division (B)(1) of section 4521.10, or division (B) of section
5537.041 of the Revised Code from accepting the application, the
registrar shall return the application and the payment to the
owner. If the owner of a motor vehicle submits a registration
renewal application to the registrar by electronic means and the
registrar is prohibited from accepting the application as
provided in this division, the registrar shall notify the owner
of this fact and deny the application and return the payment or
give a credit on the financial transaction device account of the
owner in the manner the registrar prescribes by rule adopted
pursuant to division (A) of this section.
(F) Every deputy registrar shall post in a prominent place
at the deputy's office a notice informing the public of the mail
registration system required by this section and also shall post
a notice that every owner of a motor vehicle and every chauffeur
holding a certificate of registration is required to notify the
registrar in writing of any change of residence within ten days
after the change occurs. The notice shall be in such form as the
registrar prescribes by rule.
(G) The service fee equal to the amount established under
section 4503.038 of the Revised Code that is collected from a
person who renews a motor vehicle registration by electronic
means or by mail, plus postage collected by the registrar and
any financial transaction device surcharge collected by the
registrar, shall be paid to the credit of the public safety -
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702 H. B. No. 115 Page 25
As Introduced
highway purposes fund established by section 4501.06 of the
Revised Code.
(H)(1) Pursuant to section 113.40 of the Revised Code, the
registrar shall implement a program permitting payment of motor
vehicle registration taxes and fees, driver's license and
commercial driver's license fees, and any other taxes, fees,
penalties, or charges imposed or levied by the state by means of
a financial transaction device for transactions occurring
online, at any office of the registrar, and at all deputy
registrar locations. The program shall take effect not later
than July 1, 2016. The registrar shall adopt rules as necessary
for this purpose, but all such rules are subject to any action,
policy, or procedure of the board of deposit or treasurer of
state taken or adopted under section 113.40 of the Revised Code.
(2) The rules adopted under division (H)(1) of this
section shall require a deputy registrar to accept payments by
means of a financial transaction device beginning on the
effective date of the rules unless the deputy registrar contract
entered into by the deputy registrar prohibits the acceptance of
such payments by financial transaction device. However,
commencing with deputy registrar contract awards that have a
start date of July 1, 2016, and for all contract awards
thereafter, the registrar shall require that the proposer accept
payment by means of a financial transaction device, including
credit cards and debit cards, for all department of public
safety transactions conducted at that deputy registrar location.
The bureau and deputy registrars are not required to pay
any costs that result from accepting payment by means of a
financial transaction device. A deputy registrar may charge a
person who tenders payment for a department transaction by means
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732 H. B. No. 115 Page 26
As Introduced
of a financial transaction device any cost the deputy registrar
incurs from accepting payment by the financial transaction
device, but the deputy registrar shall not require the person to
pay any additional fee of any kind in connection with the use by
the person of the financial transaction device.
(3) In accordance with division (H)(1) of this section and
rules adopted by the registrar under that division, a county
auditor or clerk of a court of common pleas that is designated a
deputy registrar shall accept payment by means of a financial
transaction device, including credit cards and debit cards, for
all department transactions conducted at the office of the
county auditor or clerk in the county auditor's or clerk's
capacity as deputy registrar. The bureau is not required to pay
any costs incurred by a county auditor or clerk that result from
accepting payment by means of a financial transaction device for
any department transaction.
(I) For persons who reside in counties where tailpipe
emissions inspections are required under the motor vehicle
inspection and maintenance program, the notice required by
division (B) of this section shall also include the toll-free
telephone number maintained by the Ohio environmental protection
agency to provide information concerning the locations of
emissions testing centers. The registrar also shall include a
statement in the notice that a battery electric motor vehicle is
not required to undergo emissions inspection under the motor
vehicle inspection and maintenance program established under
section 3704.14 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 4503.103. (A)(1) The registrar of motor vehicles may
adopt rules to permit any person or lessee, other than a person
receiving an apportioned license plate under the international
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762 H. B. No. 115 Page 27
As Introduced
registration plan, who owns or leases one or more motor vehicles
to file a written application for registration for no more than
five succeeding registration years. The rules adopted by the
registrar may designate the classes of motor vehicles that are
eligible for such registration. At the time of application, all
annual taxes and fees shall be paid for each year for which the
person is registering.
(2)(a) The registrar shall adopt rules to permit any
person or lessee who owns or leases a trailer or semitrailer
that is subject to the tax rate prescribed in either division
(C)(1) or, beginning January 1, 2022, (C)(2) of section 4503.042
of the Revised Code to file a written application for
registration for any number of succeeding registration years,
including a permanent registration, for such trailers or
semitrailers.
At the time of application, the applicant shall pay all of
the following:
(i) As applicable, either the annual tax prescribed in
division (C)(1) of section 4503.042 of the Revised Code for each
year for which the applicant is registering or the annual tax
prescribed in division (C)(2) of section 4503.042 of the Revised
Code, unless the applicant previously paid the tax specified in
division (C)(2) of that section for the trailer or semitrailer
being registered. However, an applicant paying the annual tax
under division (C)(1) of section 4503.042 of the Revised Code
shall not pay more than eight times the annual taxes due,
regardless of the number of years for which the applicant is
registering.
(ii) The additional fee established under division (C)(1)
of section 4503.10 of the Revised Code for each year of
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792 H. B. No. 115 Page 28
As Introduced
registration, provided that not more than eight times the
additional fee due shall be paid, regardless of the number of
years for which the applicant is registering.
(iii) One single deputy registrar service fee in the
amount specified in division (D) of section 4503.10 of the
Revised Code or one single bureau of motor vehicles service fee
in the amount specified in division (G) of that section, as
applicable, regardless of the number of years for which the
applicant is registering.
(b) In addition, each applicant registering a trailer or
semitrailer under division (A)(2)(a) of this section shall pay
any applicable local motor vehicle license tax levied under
Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code for each year for which the
applicant is registering, provided that not more than eight
times any such annual local taxes shall be due upon
registration.
(c) The period of registration for a trailer or
semitrailer registered under division (A)(2)(a) of this section
is exclusive to the trailer or semitrailer for which that
certificate of registration is issued and is not transferable to
any other trailer or semitrailer if the registration is a
permanent registration.
(3) Except as provided in division (A)(4) of this section,
the registrar shall adopt rules to permit any person who owns a
motor vehicle to file an application for registration for not
more than five succeeding registration years. At the time of
application, the person shall pay the annual taxes and fees for
each registration year, calculated in accordance with division
(C) of section 4503.11 of the Revised Code. A person who is
registering a vehicle under division (A)(3) of this section
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822 H. B. No. 115 Page 29
As Introduced
shall pay for each year of registration the additional fee
established under division (C)(1) or (3) of section 4503.10 of
the Revised Code, as applicable. The person shall also pay the
deputy registrar service fee or the bureau of motor vehicles
service fee equal to the amount established under section
4503.038 of the Revised Code.
(4) Division (A)(3) of this section does not apply to a
person receiving an apportioned license plate under the
international registration plan, or the owner of a commercial
car used solely in intrastate commerce, or the owner of a bus as
defined in section 4513.50 of the Revised Code.
(5) A person registering a noncommercial trailer
permanently shall register the trailer under section 4503.107 of
the Revised Code.
(B) No person applying for a multi-year registration under
division (A) of this section is entitled to a refund of any
taxes or fees paid.
(C) The registrar shall not issue to any applicant who has
been issued a final, nonappealable order under division (D) of
this section a multi-year registration or renewal thereof under
this division or rules adopted under it for any motor vehicle
that is required to be inspected under section 3704.14 of the
Revised Code the district of registration of which, as
determined under section 4503.10 of the Revised Code, is or is
located in the county named in the order.
(D) Upon receipt from the director of environmental
protection of a notice issued under rules adopted under section
3704.14 of the Revised Code indicating that an owner of a motor
vehicle that is required to be inspected under that section who
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851 H. B. No. 115 Page 30
As Introduced
obtained a multi-year registration for the vehicle under
division (A) of this section or rules adopted under that
division has not obtained a required inspection certificate or
alternative emissions certificate for the vehicle, the registrar
in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code shall issue
an order to the owner impounding the certificate of registration
and identification license plates for the vehicle. The order
also shall prohibit the owner from obtaining or renewing a
multi-year registration for any vehicle that is required to be
inspected under that section, the district of registration of
which is or is located in the same county as the county named in
the order during the number of years after expiration of the
current multi-year registration that equals the number of years
for which the current multi-year registration was issued.
An order issued under this division shall require the
owner to surrender to the registrar the certificate of
registration and license plates for the vehicle named in the
order within five days after its issuance. If the owner fails to
do so within that time, the registrar shall certify that fact to
the county sheriff or local police officials who shall recover
the certificate of registration and license plates for the
vehicle.
(E) Upon the occurrence of either of the following
circumstances, the registrar in accordance with Chapter 119. of
the Revised Code shall issue to the owner a modified order
rescinding the provisions of the order issued under division (D)
of this section impounding the certificate of registration and
license plates for the vehicle named in that original order:
(1) Receipt from the director of environmental protection
of a subsequent notice under rules adopted under section 3704.14
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881 H. B. No. 115 Page 31
As Introduced
of the Revised Code that the owner has obtained the inspection
certificate or alternative emissions certificate for the vehicle
as required under those rules;
(2) Presentation to the registrar by the owner of the
required inspection certificate or alternative emissions
certificate for the vehicle.
(F) The owner of a motor vehicle for which the certificate
of registration and license plates have been impounded pursuant
to an order issued under division (D) of this section, upon
issuance of a modified order under division (E) of this section,
may apply to the registrar for their return. A fee of two
dollars and fifty cents shall be charged for the return of the
certificate of registration and license plates for each vehicle
named in the application.
Section 2. That existing sections 3704.14, 4503.10,
4503.102, and 4503.103 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3. This act shall be known as the "E-Check Ease
Act."
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