(127th General Assembly)

(127th General Assembly)

(Substitute Senate Bill Number 243)

AN ACT

To amend section 4503.53 and to enact sections 5.081, 5.082, 5.2241, 5.2242, 5.2243, 5.2244, 5.2245, 5.2246, 5.2247, 5.2248, 5.2249, 5.2250, 5.2251, 5.2252, 5.2253, 5.2254, 5.2255, 5.2256, 5.2257, 5.2258, 5.2259, 5.2260, 5.2261, 5.2262, 5.2263, 5.2264, 4503.481, 4503.494, 4503.496, 4503.513, 4503.531, 4503.762, 4503.92, 5533.051, 5533.092, 5533.101, 5533.251, 5533.351, 5533.352, 5533.354, 5533.601, 5533.604, 5533.605, 5533.681, 5533.682, 5533.683, 5533.684, and 5533.92 of the Revised Code to designate various official days, weeks, and months, to designate the tomato as the official state fruit, to designate the pawpaw as the official state native fruit, to create certain special license plates, and to designate certain memorial highways and bridges.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

SECTION 1. That section 4503.53 be amended and sections 5.081, 5.082, 5.2241, 5.2242, 5.2243, 5.2244, 5.2245, 5.2246, 5.2247, 5.2248, 5.2249, 5.2250, 5.2251, 5.2252, 5.2253, 5.2254, 5.2255, 5.2256, 5.2257, 5.2258, 5.2259, 5.2260, 5.2261, 5.2262, 5.2263, 5.2264, 4503.481, 4503.494, 4503.496, 4503.513, 4503.531, 4503.762, 4503.92, 5533.051, 5533.092, 5533.101, 5533.251, 5533.351, 5533.352, 5533.354, 5533.601, 5533.604, 5533.605, 5533.681, 5533.682, 5533.683, 5533.684, and 5533.92 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 5.081. The fruit, Lycopersicon esculentus, commonly known as the tomato, is hereby adopted as the state fruit.

Sec. 5.082. The fruit, Asimina triloba, commonly known as the pawpaw, is hereby adopted as the state native fruit.

Sec. 5.2241. The month of January is designated as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Month."

Sec. 5.2242. The sixth day of February is designated as "Ronald Reagan Day," in honor of the birthday of the fortieth president of the United States.

Sec. 5.2243. The calendar week including the eighth day of February is designated as "Ohio Boy Scout Week."

Sec. 5.2244. The month of February is designated as "Black History Month" to honor and recognize the contributions that African Americans have made in the history of this state and the United States.

Sec. 5.2245. The month of May is designated as "Nurses Month" in recognition of the hard work and dedication of nurses and their significant contributions in improving the health care of the citizens of this state.

In enacting this section, it is the intent of the general assembly to acknowledge and celebrate the nurses of this state. Although nurses practice their profession in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, other health care facilities, physician's offices, schools, and even private homes, the contributions made by the nursing profession in the improvement of the health care system are sometimes overlooked. Therefore, the general assembly feels that it is vitally important that a month be formally designated as "Nurses Month" for the purpose of increasing public awareness of the role nurses play in the health and well-being of all Ohioans.

Sec. 5.2246. The month of May is designated as "Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month."

Sec. 5.2247. The nineteenth day of June is designated as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" to acknowledge the freedom, history, and culture that June 19, 1865, the day on which the last slaves in the United States were set free in Texas, has come to symbolize.

Sec. 5.2248. The third Saturday in August is designated as "Brothers and Sisters' Day" to honor and recognize siblings.

Sec. 5.2249. The first Saturday following the first Monday in September is designated as "Lithopolis Honeyfest Day," to honor the annual honey festival held on that day in the village of Lithopolis in Fairfield county.

Sec. 5.2250. The third week of September is designated as "Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week" to raise awareness of the existence of mitochondrial disease and its symptoms.

Sec. 5.2251. The fourth Sunday in September is designated as "Internet Safety Day."

Sec. 5.2252. The month of September is designated as "Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month" to increase public awareness and understanding of brain aneurysms, including methods of early detection and treatment.

It is the intent of the general assembly in enacting this section to increase public awareness and understanding of brain aneurysms. The general assembly feels that it is vitally important that the state designate September as "Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month." According to the brain aneurysm foundation, brain aneurysms afflict approximately two per cent of Americans, most commonly those aged thirty-five to sixty years. The state encourages and commends private efforts, including those of the brain aneurysm foundation, to enhance funding for aneurysm research, provide educational materials and programs, and create a support network for patients, survivors, and their families.

Sec. 5.2253. The month of September is hereby designated as "Ohio Preparedness Month" to highlight the importance of preparedness on the part of all Ohioans in the event of an emergency.

Sec. 5.2254. The month of September is designated as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" to increase public awareness of childhood cancer.

Sec. 5.2255. The month of September is designated as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month."

Sec. 5.2256. The twenty-second day of October shall be designated "U.S.S. Hocking Day," in honor of the distinguished career of the U.S.S. Hocking, a World War II attack transport ship, the navy crew who served on it, and the marines who were carried into battle on it.

Sec. 5.2257. The month of October is designated as "Crime Prevention Month."

Sec. 5.2258. The month of October is designated as "Disability Employment Awareness Month" to demonstrate continuing support for and to raise the awareness of the need for employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Sec. 5.2259. The Saturday immediately preceding Thanksgiving day is designated as "Adoption Day."

Sec. 5.2260. The month of November is designated as "Epilepsy Awareness Month" to increase public awareness and understanding of epilepsy.

It is the intent of the general assembly in enacting this section to increase public awareness and understanding of epilepsy. The general assembly considers it vitally important that the state join with the epilepsy foundation in formally designating November as "Epilepsy Awareness Month." According to the United States centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), epilepsy currently affects approximately 2.7 million Americans - roughly one of every one hundred individuals - with as many as 180,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Epilepsy afflicts people of all ages, but especially the very young and the elderly. The CDC estimates that about ten per cent of Americans will experience a seizure during their lifetime, and about three per cent will be diagnosed with epilepsy by age eighty.

Sec. 5.2261. The month of November is designated as "Omega Psi Phi Month."

Sec. 5.2262. The twenty-first of December is designated "Homeless Persons' Memorial Day" to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness. State and local governments, coalitions, and other entities are encouraged to sponsor events to promote awareness of the plight of the homeless and to identify actions that individuals and organizations may take to address the problem of homelessness.

Sec. 5.2263. Calendar year 2008 is designated as the "Year of the Veteran" to recognize the services and sacrifices of veterans.

Sec. 5.2264. "Ohio Save for Retirement Week" is designated during the same week as "National Save for Retirement Week" is designated by federal law.

Sec. 4503.481. (A) Any person who is a retired veteran of the Ohio national guard may apply to the registrar of motor vehicles for the registration of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other vehicle of a class approved by the registrar the person owns or leases. The application shall be accompanied by such written evidence that the applicant is a retired veteran of the Ohio national guard as the registrar shall require by rule.

Upon receipt of an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section, presentation of satisfactory evidence documenting that the applicant is a retired veteran of the Ohio national guard, and payment of the regular license fee as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code and any local motor vehicle license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate motor vehicle registration and a set of license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code. In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed thereon, the license plates shall contain one of the following inscriptions, as appropriate: "OHIO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD RETIRED," or "OHIO AIR NATIONAL GUARD RETIRED." The license plates shall bear county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) Sections 4503.77 and 4503.78 of the Revised Code do not apply to license plates issued under this section.

Sec. 4503.494. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, or other vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle and issuance of "multiple sclerosis awareness" license plates. The application may be combined with a request for a special reserved license plate under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the completed application and compliance by the applicant with divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate vehicle registration and a set of "multiple sclerosis awareness" license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed on the license plates, "multiple sclerosis awareness" license plates shall bear words selected by and a logo designed by the national multiple sclerosis society. The registrar shall approve the final design. "Multiple sclerosis awareness" license plates shall display county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) "Multiple sclerosis awareness" license plates and a validation sticker, or validation sticker alone, shall be issued upon receipt of an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section; payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor vehicle license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, an additional fee of ten dollars, and a contribution as provided in division (C) of this section; and compliance with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of motor vehicles.

(C) The registrar shall collect a contribution of fifteen dollars for each application for registration and registration renewal notice the registrar receives under this section. The registrar shall transmit this contribution to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the license plate contribution fund created by section 4501.21 of the Revised Code.

The registrar shall transmit the additional fee of ten dollars, which is to compensate the bureau of motor vehicles for the additional services required in the issuing of "multiple sclerosis awareness" license plates, to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created by section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4503.496. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, or other vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle and issuance of "sickle cell anemia awareness" license plates. The application may be combined with a request for a special reserved license plate under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the completed application and compliance by the applicant with divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate vehicle registration and a set of "sickle cell anemia awareness" license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed on the license plates, "sickle cell anemia awareness" license plates shall bear words selected by and a logo designed by the Ohio sickle cell and health association. The registrar shall approve the final design. "Sickle cell anemia awareness" license plates shall display county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) "Sickle cell anemia awareness" license plates and a validation sticker, or validation sticker alone, shall be issued upon receipt of an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section; payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor vehicle license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, an additional fee of ten dollars, and a contribution as provided in division (C) of this section; and compliance with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of motor vehicles.

(C) The registrar shall collect a contribution of ten dollars for each application for registration and registration renewal notice the registrar receives under this section. The registrar shall transmit this contribution to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the license plate contribution fund created by section 4501.21 of the Revised Code.

The registrar shall transmit the additional fee of ten dollars, which is to compensate the bureau of motor vehicles for the additional services required in the issuing of "sickle cell anemia awareness" license plates, to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created by section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4503.513. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles, who is a member of a historically black fraternity or sorority, may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle and issuance of "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plates bearing the name or Greek letters of the historically black fraternity or sorority of which the applicant is a member. The request for a "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plate may be combined with a request for a special reserved license plate under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the completed application, proof of membership in a historically black fraternity or sorority as required by the registrar, and compliance with division (B) of this section, the registrar shall issue to the applicant appropriate vehicle registration and the particular "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plates indicating the fraternity or sorority of which the applicant is a member, with a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed thereon, each "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plate shall be inscribed with the name of a historically black fraternity or sorority or the Greek letters of the fraternity or sorority, or both. The registrar shall approve the design of each "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plate, and the license plates shall bear county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) The "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plates and validation sticker shall be issued upon payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor vehicle tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, and an additional fee of ten dollars, and compliance with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of motor vehicles.

(C) The additional fee of ten dollars specified in division (B) of this section is to compensate the bureau of motor vehicles for additional services required in the issuing of "historically black fraternity-sorority" license plates. The registrar shall deposit this additional fee into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created in section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

(D) Sections 4503.77 and 4503.78 of the Revised Code do not apply to license plates issued under this section.

(E) As used in this section, "historically black fraternity or sorority" means the alpha kappa alpha sorority, inc., alpha phi alpha fraternity, inc., delta sigma theta sorority, inc., zeta phi beta sorority, inc., iota phi theta fraternity, inc., kappa alpha psi fraternity, inc., sigma gamma rho sorority, inc., phi beta sigma fraternity, inc., and omega psi phi fraternity, inc., each belonging to the national pan-hellenic council, inc.

Sec. 4503.53. Any person who served in the armed forces of the United States in Afghanistan during operation enduring freedom, in Iraq during operation Iraqi freedom, in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait during ~~Operation Desert Storm~~ operation desert storm or ~~Operation Desert Shield~~ operation desert shield, in Panama during the invasion, in Grenada during the invasion, in Lebanon during the invasion, during the Vietnam conflict, during the Korean conflict, during World War II, or during World War I, and who is on active duty or is an honorably discharged veteran may apply to the registrar of motor vehicles for the registration of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other vehicle of a class approved by the registrar the person owns or leases. The application shall be accompanied by such written evidence of the applicant's service as the registrar requires by rule. In the case of an honorably discharged veteran, the written evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's DD-214 form or an equivalent document.

Upon receipt of an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section, presentation of satisfactory evidence of military service in Afghanistan during operation enduring freedom, in Iraq during operation Iraqi freedom, in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait during ~~Operation Desert Storm~~ operation desert storm or ~~Operation Desert Shield~~ operation desert shield, in Panama during the invasion, in Grenada during the invasion, in Lebanon during the invasion, during the Vietnam conflict, during the Korean conflict, during World War II, or during World War I, and payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code and any applicable local tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate motor vehicle registration and a set of license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code. In accordance with rules adopted by the registrar, each license plate shall be inscribed with identifying letters or numerals and the word "VETERAN"; in addition, each license plate shall be inscribed with a design and words indicating service in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Panama, Grenada, or Lebanon, or during the Vietnam conflict, the Korean conflict, World War II, or World War I.

Sec. 4503.531. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, or other vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle and issuance of "thank you U.S. military" license plates. The application may be combined with a request for a special reserved license plate under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the completed application and compliance by the applicant with divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate vehicle registration and a set of "thank you U.S. military" license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed on the license plates, "thank you U.S. military" license plates shall bear the words "thank you U.S. military" and markings designed by the thank you foundation. The registrar shall approve the final design. "Thank you U.S. military" license plates shall display county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) "Thank you U.S. military" license plates and a validation sticker, or validation sticker alone, shall be issued upon receipt of an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section; payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor vehicle license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, an additional fee of ten dollars, and a contribution as provided in division (C) of this section; and compliance with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of motor vehicles.

The registrar shall transmit the additional fee of ten dollars, which is to compensate the bureau of motor vehicles for the additional services required in the issuing of "thank you U.S. military" license plates, to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created by section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4503.762. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle and issuance of "in God we trust" license plates. The request for "in God we trust" license plates may be combined with a request for a special reserved license plate under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the completed application and compliance with division (B) of this section, the registrar shall issue to the applicant appropriate vehicle registration and a set of "in God we trust" license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed thereon, "in God we trust" license plates shall bear the words "in God we trust." The bureau of motor vehicles shall design "in God we trust" license plates, and they shall bear county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) "In God we trust" license plates and validation stickers shall be issued upon payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor vehicle tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, and a bureau fee of ten dollars, and compliance with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of motor vehicles.

(C) The registrar shall deposit the bureau fee of ten dollars, which is to compensate the bureau for additional services required in the issuing of "in God we trust" license plates, into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created in section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4503.92. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, or other vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle and issuance of "support our troops" license plates. The application may be combined with a request for a special reserved license plate under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the completed application and compliance by the applicant with divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate vehicle registration and a set of "support our troops" license plates and a validation sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily inscribed on the license plates, "support our troops" license plates shall bear an appropriate logo and the words "support our troops." The bureau of motor vehicles shall design "support our troops" license plates, and they shall display county identification stickers that identify the county of registration by name or number.

(B) "Support our troops" license plates and a validation sticker, or validation sticker alone, shall be issued upon receipt of an application for registration of a motor vehicle under this section; payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor vehicle license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, an additional fee of ten dollars, and a contribution as provided in division (C) of this section; and compliance with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of motor vehicles.

(C) For each application for registration and registration renewal notice the registrar receives under this section, the registrar shall collect a contribution of twenty-five dollars. The registrar shall transmit this contribution to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the license plate contribution fund created by section 4501.21 of the Revised Code.

The registrar shall transmit the additional fee of ten dollars, which is to compensate the bureau of motor vehicles for the additional services required in the issuing of "support our troops" license plates, to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created by section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5533.051. In addition to the designations of the road known as United States route twenty-three in section 5533.05 of the Revised Code, the portion of that road running in a north and south direction, commencing at the boundary of Franklin and Delaware counties and extending to the municipal corporation of Delaware, shall be known as the "Branch Rickey Memorial Highway."