HB 678

As Introduced
136th General Assembly
    Regular Session  H. B. No. 678
       2025-2026
  Representatives Abrams, Daniels
Cosponsors: Representatives Lorenz, Willis, John, Miller, K., Ghanbari, Plummer,
 White, A., Hall, T., Kishman, Bird, Ray, Johnson, Robb Blasdel, Schmidt, Moore,
  LaRe
  To amend sections 4503.10, 4503.102, 4503.20,  1
  4507.212, 4509.101, 4509.66, 4509.67, 4509.69,  2
  and 4509.77 and to enact sections 4503.48,  3
  4509.43, 4509.431, 4509.432, 4509.433, and  4
  4509.434 of the Revised Code to implement an  5
  online financial responsibility verification  6
  system and to modify the financial  7
  responsibility laws.  8
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
      Section 1. That sections 4503.10, 4503.102, 4503.20,  9
4507.212, 4509.101, 4509.66, 4509.67, 4509.69, and 4509.77 be  10
amended and sections 4503.48, 4509.43, 4509.431, 4509.432,  11
4509.433, and 4509.434 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as  12
follows:  13
      Sec. 4503.10. (A) The owner of every snowmobile, off-  14
highway motorcycle, and all-purpose vehicle required to be  15
registered under section 4519.02 of the Revised Code shall file  16
an application for registration under section 4519.03 of the  17
Revised Code. The owner of a motor vehicle, other than a  18
H. B. No. 678  Page 2
As Introduced
snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle, that  19
is not designed and constructed by the manufacturer for  20
operation on a street or highway may not register it under this  21
chapter except upon certification of inspection pursuant to  22
section 4513.02 of the Revised Code by the sheriff, or the chief  23
of police of the municipal corporation or township, with  24
jurisdiction over the political subdivision in which the owner  25
of the motor vehicle resides. Except as provided in sections  26
4503.103 and 4503.107 of the Revised Code, every owner of every  27
other motor vehicle not previously described in this section and  28
every person mentioned as owner in the last certificate of title  29
of a motor vehicle that is operated or driven upon the public  30
roads or highways shall cause to be filed each year, by mail or  31
otherwise, in the office of the registrar of motor vehicles or a  32
deputy registrar, a written or electronic application or a  33
preprinted registration renewal notice issued under section  34
4503.102 of the Revised Code, the form of which shall be  35
prescribed by the registrar, for registration for the following  36
registration year, which shall begin on the first day of January  37
of every calendar year and end on the thirty-first day of  38
December in the same year. Applications for registration and  39
registration renewal notices shall be filed at the times  40
established by the registrar pursuant to section 4503.101 of the  41
Revised Code. A motor vehicle owner also may elect to apply for  42
or renew a motor vehicle registration by electronic means using  43
electronic signature in accordance with rules adopted by the  44
registrar. Except as provided in division (J) of this section,  45
applications for registration shall be made on blanks furnished  46
by the registrar for that purpose, containing the following  47
information:  48
       (1) A brief description of the motor vehicle to be  49
H. B. No. 678  Page 3
As Introduced
registered, including the year, make, model, and vehicle  50
identification number, and, in the case of commercial cars, the  51
gross weight of the vehicle fully equipped computed in the  52
manner prescribed in section 4503.08 of the Revised Code;  53
       (2) The name and residence address of the owner, and the  54
township and municipal corporation in which the owner resides;  55
       (3) The district of registration, which shall be  56
determined as follows:  57
       (a) In case the motor vehicle to be registered is used for  58
hire or principally in connection with any established business  59
or branch business, conducted at a particular place, the  60
district of registration is the municipal corporation in which  61
that place is located or, if not located in any municipal  62
corporation, the county and township in which that place is  63
located.  64
       (b) In case the vehicle is not so used, the district of  65
registration is the municipal corporation or county in which the  66
owner resides at the time of making the application.  67
       (4) Whether the motor vehicle is a new or used motor  68
vehicle;  69
       (5) The date of purchase of the motor vehicle;  70
       (6) Whether the fees required to be paid for the  71
registration or transfer of the motor vehicle, during the  72
preceding registration year and during the preceding period of  73
the current registration year, have been paid. Each application  74
for registration shall be signed by the owner, either manually  75
or by electronic signature, or pursuant to obtaining a limited  76
power of attorney authorized by the registrar for registration,  77
or other document authorizing such signature. If the owner  78
H. B. No. 678  Page 4
As Introduced
elects to apply for or renew the motor vehicle registration with  79
the registrar by electronic means, the owner's manual signature  80
is not required.  81
       (7) The owner's social security number, driver's license  82
number, or state identification number, or, where a motor  83
vehicle to be registered is used for hire or principally in  84
connection with any established business, the owner's federal  85
taxpayer identification number. The bureau of motor vehicles  86
shall retain in its records all social security numbers provided  87
under this section, but the bureau shall not place social  88
security numbers on motor vehicle certificates of registration.  89
       (8) Whether the applicant wishes to certify willingness to  90
make an anatomical gift if an applicant has not so certified  91
under section 2108.05 of the Revised Code. The applicant's  92
response shall not be considered in the decision of whether to  93
approve the application for registration.  94
       (B)(1) When an applicant first registers a motor vehicle  95
in the applicant's name, the applicant shall provide proof of  96
ownership of that motor vehicle. Proof of ownership may include  97
any of the following:  98
       (a) The applicant may present for inspection a physical  99
certificate of title or memorandum certificate showing title to  100
the motor vehicle to be registered in the name of the applicant.  101
       (b) The applicant may present for inspection an electronic  102
certificate of title for the applicant's motor vehicle in a  103
manner prescribed by rules adopted by the registrar.  104
       (c) The registrar or deputy registrar may electronically  105
confirm the applicant's ownership of the motor vehicle.  106
       An applicant is not required to present a certificate of  107
H. B. No. 678  Page 5
As Introduced
title to an electronic motor vehicle dealer acting as a limited  108
authority deputy registrar in accordance with rules adopted by  109
the registrar.  110
       (2) When a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance  111
program is in effect under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code  112
and rules adopted under it, each application for registration  113
for a vehicle required to be inspected under that section and  114
those rules shall be accompanied by an inspection certificate or  115
alternative emissions certificate for the motor vehicle issued  116
in accordance with that section.  117
       (3) An application for registration shall be refused if  118
any of the following applies:  119
       (a) The application is not in proper form.  120
       (b) The application is prohibited from being accepted by  121
division (D) of section 2935.27, division (A) of section  122
4503.13, division (B) of section 4510.22, division (D) of  123
section 4503.234, division (B)(1) of section 4521.10, or  124
division (B) of section 5537.041 of the Revised Code.  125
       (c) Proof of ownership is required but is not presented or  126
confirmed in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section.  127
       (d) All registration and transfer fees for the motor  128
vehicle, for the preceding year or the preceding period of the  129
current registration year, have not been paid.  130
       (e) The owner or lessee does not have an inspection  131
certificate or alternative emissions certificate for the motor  132
vehicle as provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, and  133
rules adopted under it, if that section is applicable.  134
       (f) The owner or lessee does not have proof of financial  135
H. B. No. 678  Page 6
As Introduced
responsibility with respect to the motor vehicle being  136
registered.  137
       (4) This section does not require the payment of license  138
or registration taxes on a motor vehicle for any preceding year,  139
or for any preceding period of a year, if the motor vehicle was  140
not taxable for that preceding year or period under sections  141
4503.02, 4503.04, 4503.11, 4503.12, and 4503.16 or Chapter 4504.  142
of the Revised Code.  143
       (5) When a certificate of registration is issued upon the  144
first registration of a motor vehicle by or on behalf of the  145
owner, the official issuing the certificate shall indicate the  146
issuance with a stamp on the certificate of title or memorandum  147
certificate or, in the case of an electronic certificate of  148
title or electronic verification of ownership, an electronic  149
stamp or other notation as specified in rules adopted by the  150
registrar, and with a stamp on the inspection certificate for  151
the motor vehicle, if any.  152
       (6) The official also shall indicate, by a stamp or by  153
other means the registrar prescribes, on the registration  154
certificate issued upon the first registration of a motor  155
vehicle by or on behalf of the owner the odometer reading of the  156
motor vehicle as shown in the odometer statement included in or  157
attached to the certificate of title. Upon each subsequent  158
registration of the motor vehicle by or on behalf of the same  159
owner, the official also shall so indicate the odometer reading  160
of the motor vehicle as shown on the immediately preceding  161
certificate of registration.  162
       (7) The registrar shall include in the permanent  163
registration record of any vehicle required to be inspected  164
under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code the inspection  165
H. B. No. 678  Page 7
As Introduced
certificate number from the inspection certificate or the  166
alternative emissions certificate number from the alternative  167
emissions certificate that is presented at the time of  168
registration of the vehicle as required under this division.  169
       (8) When an applicant submits an application for  170
registration or registration renewal to the registrar or a  171
deputy registrar, the registrar or deputy registrar shall  172
inquire via the online financial responsibility verification  173
system established under sections 4509.43 to 4509.434 of the  174
Revised Code whether the applicant is maintaining proof of  175
financial responsibility.  176
       If the results of the inquiry indicate no proof of the  177
maintenance of financial responsibility, are inconclusive, or  178
the applicant is submitting the application by mail or  179
electronic means in accordance with section 4503.102 of the  180
Revised Code, the registrar or deputy registrar shall request  181
the owner of the motor vehicle to demonstrate proof of financial  182
responsibility in the manner described in division (G) of  183
section 4509.101 of the Revised Code.  184
       (C)(1) The registrar and each deputy registrar shall  185
collect the following additional fees for each application for  186
registration and registration renewal received:  187
       (a) Except as provided in division (C)(1)(b) of this  188
section, a fee of eleven dollars on or before December 31, 2025,  189
and a fee of sixteen dollars on and after January 1, 2026;  190
       (b) For vehicles specified in divisions (A)(1) to (21) of  191
section 4503.042 of the Revised Code, a fee of thirty dollars on  192
or before December 31, 2025, and a fee of thirty-five dollars on  193
and after January 1, 2026.  194
H. B. No. 678  Page 8
As Introduced
        No additional fee shall be charged for vehicles registered  195
under section 4503.65 of the Revised Code. Each additional fee  196
is for the purpose of defraying the department of public  197
safety's costs associated with the administration and  198
enforcement of the motor vehicle and traffic laws of Ohio. Each  199
deputy registrar shall transmit the fees collected under  200
divisions (C)(1) and (3) of this section in the time and manner  201
provided in this section. The registrar shall deposit all moneys  202
received under division (C)(1) of this section into the public  203
safety - highway purposes fund established in section 4501.06 of  204
the Revised Code.  205
        (2) In addition, a charge of twenty-five cents shall be  206
made for each reflectorized safety license plate issued, and a  207
single charge of twenty-five cents shall be made for each county  208
identification sticker or each set of county identification  209
stickers issued, as the case may be, to cover the cost of  210
producing the license plates and stickers, including material,  211
manufacturing, and administrative costs. Those fees shall be in  212
addition to the license tax. If the total cost of producing the  213
plates is less than twenty-five cents per plate, or if the total  214
cost of producing the stickers is less than twenty-five cents  215
per sticker or per set issued, any excess moneys accruing from  216
the fees shall be distributed in the same manner as provided by  217
section 4501.04 of the Revised Code for the distribution of  218
license tax moneys. If the total cost of producing the plates  219
exceeds twenty-five cents per plate, or if the total cost of  220
producing the stickers exceeds twenty-five cents per sticker or  221
per set issued, the difference shall be paid from the license  222
tax moneys collected pursuant to section 4503.02 of the Revised  223
Code.  224
        (3) The registrar and each deputy registrar shall collect  225
H. B. No. 678  Page 9
As Introduced
the following additional fee, as applicable, for each  226
application for registration or registration renewal received  227
for any hybrid motor vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric motor  228
vehicle, or battery electric motor vehicle:  229
        (a) One hundred dollars for a hybrid motor vehicle;  230
        (b) One hundred fifty dollars for a plug-in hybrid  231
electric motor vehicle;  232
        (c) Two hundred dollars for a battery electric motor  233
vehicle.  234
        Each fee imposed under this division shall be prorated  235
based on the number of months for which the vehicle is  236
registered. The registrar shall transmit all money arising from  237
each fee to the treasurer of state for distribution in  238
accordance with division (E) of section 5735.051 of the Revised  239
Code, subject to division (D) of section 5735.05 of the Revised  240
Code.  241
        (D) Each deputy registrar shall be allowed a fee equal to  242
the amount established under section 4503.038 of the Revised  243
Code for each application for registration and registration  244
renewal notice the deputy registrar receives, which shall be for  245
the purpose of compensating the deputy registrar for the deputy  246
registrar's services, and such office and rental expenses, as  247
may be necessary for the proper discharge of the deputy  248
registrar's duties in the receiving of applications and renewal  249
notices and the issuing of registrations.  250
        (E) Upon the certification of the registrar, the county  251
sheriff or local police officials shall recover license plates  252
erroneously or fraudulently issued.  253
        (F) Each deputy registrar, upon receipt of any application  254
H. B. No. 678  Page 10
As Introduced
for registration or registration renewal notice, together with  255
the license fee and any local motor vehicle license tax levied  256
pursuant to Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, shall transmit  257
that fee and tax, if any, in the manner provided in this  258
section, together with the original and duplicate copy of the  259
application, to the registrar. The registrar, subject to the  260
approval of the director of public safety, may deposit the funds  261
collected by those deputies in a local bank or depository to the  262
credit of the "state of Ohio, bureau of motor vehicles." Where a  263
local bank or depository has been designated by the registrar,  264
each deputy registrar shall deposit all moneys collected by the  265
deputy registrar into that bank or depository not more than one  266
business day after their collection and shall make reports to  267
the registrar of the amounts so deposited, together with any  268
other information, some of which may be prescribed by the  269
treasurer of state, as the registrar may require and as  270
prescribed by the registrar by rule. The registrar, within three  271
days after receipt of notification of the deposit of funds by a  272
deputy registrar in a local bank or depository, shall draw on  273
that account in favor of the treasurer of state. The registrar,  274
subject to the approval of the director and the treasurer of  275
state, may make reasonable rules necessary for the prompt  276
transmittal of fees and for safeguarding the interests of the  277
state and of counties, townships, municipal corporations, and  278
transportation improvement districts levying local motor vehicle  279
license taxes. The registrar may pay service charges usually  280
collected by banks and depositories for such service. If deputy  281
registrars are located in communities where banking facilities  282
are not available, they shall transmit the fees forthwith, by  283
money order or otherwise, as the registrar, by rule approved by  284
the director and the treasurer of state, may prescribe. The  285
registrar may pay the usual and customary fees for such service.  286
H. B. No. 678  Page 11
As Introduced
        (G) This section does not prevent any person from making  287
an application for a motor vehicle license directly to the  288
registrar by mail, by electronic means, or in person at any of  289
the registrar's offices, upon payment of a service fee equal to  290
the amount established under section 4503.038 of the Revised  291
Code for each application.  292
        (H) No person shall make a false statement as to the  293
district of registration in an application required by division  294
(A) of this section. Violation of this division is falsification  295
under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code and punishable as  296
specified in that section.  297
        (I)(1) Where applicable, the requirements of division (B)  298
of this section relating to the presentation of an inspection  299
certificate issued under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and  300
rules adopted under it for a motor vehicle, the refusal of a  301
license for failure to present an inspection certificate or  302
alternative emissions certificate, and the stamping of the  303
inspection certificate or alternative emissions certificate by  304
the official issuing the certificate of registration apply to  305
the registration of and issuance of license plates for a motor  306
vehicle under sections 4503.102, 4503.12, 4503.14, 4503.15,  307
4503.16, 4503.171, 4503.172, 4503.19, 4503.40, 4503.41, 4503.42,  308
4503.43, 4503.44, 4503.46, 4503.47, and 4503.51 of the Revised  309
Code.  310
        (2)(a) The registrar shall adopt rules ensuring that each  311
owner registering a motor vehicle in a county where a motor  312
vehicle inspection and maintenance program is in effect under  313
section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under it  314
receives information about the requirements established in that  315
section and those rules and about the need in those counties to  316
H. B. No. 678  Page 12
As Introduced
present an inspection certificate or an alternative emissions  317
certificate with an application for registration or  318
preregistration.  319
       (b) Upon request, the registrar shall provide the director  320
of environmental protection, or any person that has been awarded  321
a contract under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, an on-line  322
computer data link to registration information for all passenger  323
cars, noncommercial motor vehicles, and commercial cars that are  324
subject to that section. The registrar also shall provide to the  325
director of environmental protection a magnetic data tape  326
containing registration information regarding passenger cars,  327
noncommercial motor vehicles, and commercial cars for which a  328
multi-year registration is in effect under section 4503.103 of  329
the Revised Code or rules adopted under it, including, without  330
limitation, the date of issuance of the multi-year registration,  331
the registration deadline established under rules adopted under  332
section 4503.101 of the Revised Code that was applicable in the  333
year in which the multi-year registration was issued, and the  334
registration deadline for renewal of the multi-year  335
registration.  336
       (J) Subject to division (K) of this section, application  337
for registration under the international registration plan, as  338
set forth in sections 4503.60 to 4503.66 of the Revised Code,  339
shall be made to the registrar on forms furnished by the  340
registrar. In accordance with international registration plan  341
guidelines and pursuant to rules adopted by the registrar, the  342
forms shall include the following:  343
       (1) A uniform mileage schedule;  344
       (2) The gross vehicle weight of the vehicle or combined  345
gross vehicle weight of the combination vehicle as declared by  346
H. B. No. 678  Page 13
As Introduced
the registrant;  347
       (3) Any other information the registrar requires by rule.  348
       (K) The registrar shall determine the feasibility of  349
implementing an electronic commercial fleet licensing and  350
management program that will enable the owners of commercial  351
tractors, commercial trailers, and commercial semitrailers to  352
conduct electronic transactions by July 1, 2010, or sooner. If  353
the registrar determines that implementing such a program is  354
feasible, the registrar shall adopt new rules under this  355
division or amend existing rules adopted under this division as  356
necessary in order to respond to advances in technology.  357
       If international registration plan guidelines and  358
provisions allow member jurisdictions to permit applications for  359
registrations under the international registration plan to be  360
made via the internet, the rules the registrar adopts under this  361
division shall permit such action.  362
       Sec. 4503.102. (A)(1) The registrar of motor vehicles may  363
adopt rules to establish a centralized system of motor vehicle  364
registration for initial registration, registration renewal, and  365
transfer of registration, by mail or by electronic means.  366
       (2) Any person applying electronically for initial  367
registration or for transfer of registration may submit all  368
associated documents electronically through the centralized  369
system of motor vehicle registration established under this  370
section. The registrar or a deputy registrar shall verify and  371
authenticate such documents.  372
       (3) Any person owning a motor vehicle that was registered  373
in the person's name during the preceding registration year  374
shall renew the registration of the motor vehicle not more than  375
H. B. No. 678  Page 14
As Introduced
ninety days prior to the expiration date of the registration  376
through one of the following:  377
       (a) By mail or by electronic means through the centralized  378
system of registration established under this section;  379
       (b) In person at any office of the registrar or at a  380
deputy registrar's office.  381
       (B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this  382
section, no less than forty-five days prior to the expiration  383
date of any motor vehicle registration, the registrar shall mail  384
a renewal notice to the person in whose name the motor vehicle  385
is registered. The renewal notice shall clearly state that the  386
registration of the motor vehicle may be renewed by mail or  387
electronic means through the centralized system of registration  388
or in person at any office of the registrar or at a deputy  389
registrar's office and shall be preprinted with information  390
including, but not limited to, the owner's name and residence  391
address as shown in the records of the bureau of motor vehicles,  392
a brief description of the motor vehicle to be registered,  393
notice of the license taxes and fees due on the motor vehicle,  394
the toll-free telephone number of the registrar as required  395
under division (D)(1) of section 4503.031 of the Revised Code,  396
and any additional information the registrar may require by  397
rule. The renewal notice shall not include the social security  398
number of either the owner of the motor vehicle or the person in  399
whose name the motor vehicle is registered. The renewal notice  400
shall be sent by regular mail to the owner's last known address  401
as shown in the records of the bureau of motor vehicles.  402
       (2) The registrar is not required to mail a renewal notice  403
if either of the following applies:  404
H. B. No. 678  Page 15
As Introduced
       (a) The owner of the vehicle has consented to receiving  405
the renewal notice by electronic means only.  406
       (b) The application for renewal of the registration of a  407
motor vehicle is prohibited from being accepted by the registrar  408
or a deputy registrar by division (D) of section 2935.27,  409
division (A) of section 4503.13, division (B) of section  410
4510.22, division (D) of section 4503.234, division (B)(1) of  411
section 4521.10, or division (B) of section 5537.041 of the  412
Revised Code.  413
       (3) If the owner of a motor vehicle has consented to  414
receiving a renewal notice by electronic means only, the  415
registrar shall send an electronic renewal notice to the owner  416
that contains the information specified in division (B)(1) of  417
this section at the time specified under that division.  418
       (C)(C)(1) The owner of the motor vehicle shall verify the  419
information contained in the notice, sign it either manually or  420
by electronic means, and return it, either by mail or electronic  421
means, or the owner may take it in person to any office of the  422
registrar or of a deputy registrar. The  423
       (2) The owner shall include with the notice a all of the  424
following:  425
       (a) A financial transaction device number when renewing in  426
person or by electronic means but not by mail, check, or money  427
order in the amount of the registration taxes and fees payable  428
on the motor vehicle and , a service fee equal to the amount  429
established under section 4503.038 of the Revised Code, plus  430
postage as indicated on the notice if the registration is  431
renewed or fulfilled by mail, and an ;  432
       (b) Proof of financial responsibility in the manner  433
H. B. No. 678  Page 16
As Introduced
described in division (G) of section 4509.101 of the Revised  434
Code;  435
        (c) An inspection certificate or alternative emissions  436
certificate for the motor vehicle as provided in section 3704.14  437
of the Revised Code. If  438
        (3) If the motor vehicle owner chooses to renew the motor  439
vehicle registration by electronic means, the owner shall  440
proceed in accordance with the rules the registrar adopts.  441
        (D) If all The registrar or deputy registrar shall refuse  442
an application for registration renewal and shall so notify the  443
owner or lessee if any of the following apply:  444
        (1) All registration and transfer fees for the motor  445
vehicle for the preceding year or the preceding period of the  446
current registration year have not been paid, if division;  447
        (2) Division (D) of section 2935.27, division (A) of  448
section 4503.13, division (B) of section 4510.22, division (D)  449
of section 4503.234, division (B)(1) of section 4521.10, or  450
division (B) of section 5537.041 of the Revised Code prohibits  451
acceptance of the renewal notice, or if the application;  452
        (3) The owner or lessee does not have proof of financial  453
responsibility with respect to the motor vehicle being  454
registered;  455
        (4) The owner or lessee does not have an inspection  456
certificate or alternative emissions certificate for the motor  457
vehicle as provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, if  458
that section is applicable, the license shall be refused, and  459
the registrar or deputy registrar shall so notify the owner.  460
This  461
H. B. No. 678  Page 17
As Introduced
       This section does not require the payment of license or  462
registration taxes on a motor vehicle for any preceding year, or  463
for any preceding period of a year, if the motor vehicle was not  464
taxable for that preceding year or period under section 4503.02,  465
4503.04, 4503.11, 4503.12, or 4503.16 or Chapter 4504. of the  466
Revised Code.  467
       (E)(1) Failure to receive a renewal notice does not  468
relieve a motor vehicle owner from the responsibility to renew  469
the registration for the motor vehicle. Any person who has a  470
motor vehicle registered in this state and who does not receive  471
a renewal notice as provided in division (B) of this section  472
prior to the expiration date of the registration shall request  473
an application for registration from the registrar or a deputy  474
registrar and sign the application manually or by electronic  475
means and submit the application and pay any applicable license  476
taxes and fees to the registrar or deputy registrar.  477
       (2) If the owner of a motor vehicle submits an application  478
for registration and the registrar is prohibited by division (D)  479
of section 2935.27, division (A) of section 4503.13, division  480
(B) of section 4510.22, division (D) of section 4503.234,  481
division (B)(1) of section 4521.10, or division (B) of section  482
5537.041 of the Revised Code from accepting the application, the  483
registrar shall return the application and the payment to the  484
owner. If the owner of a motor vehicle submits a registration  485
renewal application to the registrar by electronic means and the  486
registrar is prohibited from accepting the application as  487
provided in this division, the registrar shall notify the owner  488
of this fact and deny the application and return the payment or  489
give a credit on the financial transaction device account of the  490
owner in the manner the registrar prescribes by rule adopted  491
pursuant to division (A) of this section.  492
H. B. No. 678  Page 18
As Introduced
       (F) Every deputy registrar shall post in a prominent place  493
at the deputy's office a notice informing the public of the mail  494
registration system required by this section and also shall post  495
a notice that every owner of a motor vehicle and every chauffeur  496
holding a certificate of registration is required to notify the  497
registrar in writing of any change of residence within ten days  498
after the change occurs. The notice shall be in such form as the  499
registrar prescribes by rule.  500
       (G)(1) The service fee equal to the amount established  501
under section 4503.038 of the Revised Code that is collected  502
from a person who renews a motor vehicle registration by  503
electronic means or by mail, plus postage collected by the  504
registrar and any financial transaction device surcharge  505
collected by the registrar, shall be paid to the credit of the  506
public safety - highway purposes fund established by section  507
4501.06 of the Revised Code.  508
       (2) A person who submits an initial registration or a  509
transfer of registration by electronic means under this section  510
shall pay a service fee equal to the amount established under  511
section 4503.038 of the Revised Code, any necessary postage  512
costs, and any financial transaction device surcharge, as  513
applicable. The service fee collected shall be paid either to  514
the registrar or to the deputy registrar that verifies and  515
authenticates the submitted documents in accordance with  516
division (A)(2) of this section. If the registrar authorizes a  517
deputy registrar to mail the certificate of registration and any  518
associated license plate to the applicant, the postage costs  519
shall be paid to that deputy registrar.  520
       (H)(1) Pursuant to section 113.40 of the Revised Code, the  521
registrar shall implement a program permitting payment of motor  522
H. B. No. 678  Page 19
As Introduced
vehicle registration taxes and fees, driver's license and  523
commercial driver's license fees, and any other taxes, fees,  524
penalties, or charges imposed or levied by the state by means of  525
a financial transaction device for transactions occurring  526
online, at any office of the registrar, and at all deputy  527
registrar locations. The program shall take effect not later  528
than July 1, 2016. The registrar shall adopt rules as necessary  529
for this purpose, but all such rules are subject to any action,  530
policy, or procedure of the board of deposit or treasurer of  531
state taken or adopted under section 113.40 of the Revised Code.  532
       (2) The rules adopted under division (H)(1) of this  533
section shall require a deputy registrar to accept payments by  534
means of a financial transaction device beginning on the  535
effective date of the rules unless the deputy registrar contract  536
entered into by the deputy registrar prohibits the acceptance of  537
such payments by financial transaction device. However,  538
commencing with deputy registrar contract awards that have a  539
start date of July 1, 2016, and for all contract awards  540
thereafter, the registrar shall require that the proposer accept  541
payment by means of a financial transaction device, including  542
credit cards and debit cards, for all department of public  543
safety transactions conducted at that deputy registrar location.  544
       The bureau and deputy registrars are not required to pay  545
any costs that result from accepting payment by means of a  546
financial transaction device. A deputy registrar may charge a  547
person who tenders payment for a department transaction by means  548
of a financial transaction device any cost the deputy registrar  549
incurs from accepting payment by the financial transaction  550
device, but the deputy registrar shall not require the person to  551
pay any additional fee of any kind in connection with the use by  552
the person of the financial transaction device.  553
H. B. No. 678  Page 20
As Introduced
       (3) In accordance with division (H)(1) of this section and  554
rules adopted by the registrar under that division, a county  555
auditor or clerk of a court of common pleas that is designated a  556
deputy registrar shall accept payment by means of a financial  557
transaction device, including credit cards and debit cards, for  558
all department transactions conducted at the office of the  559
county auditor or clerk in the county auditor's or clerk's  560
capacity as deputy registrar. The bureau is not required to pay  561
any costs incurred by a county auditor or clerk that result from  562
accepting payment by means of a financial transaction device for  563
any department transaction.  564
       (I) For persons who reside in counties where tailpipe  565
emissions inspections are required under the motor vehicle  566
inspection and maintenance program, the notice required by  567
division (B) of this section shall also include the toll-free  568
telephone number maintained by the Ohio environmental protection  569
agency to provide information concerning the locations of  570
emissions testing centers. The registrar also shall include a  571
statement in the notice that a battery electric motor vehicle is  572
not required to undergo emissions inspection under the motor  573
vehicle inspection and maintenance program established under  574
section 3704.14 of the Revised Code.  575
       Sec. 4503.20. (A) As used in this section:  576
       (1) "Dealer engaged in the business of leasing motor  577
vehicles" means any person engaged in the business of regularly  578
making available, offering to make available, or arranging for  579
another person to use a motor vehicle pursuant to a bailment,  580
lease, or other contractual arrangement.  581
       (2) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning set forth in section  582
4509.01 of the Revised Code.  583
H. B. No. 678  Page 21
As Introduced
       (B) An In addition to an applicant for registration or  584
registration renewal providing proof of financial responsibility  585
in accordance with division (B)(8) of section 4503.10 of the  586
Revised Code, an application for the registration of a motor  587
vehicle shall contain a statement, to be signed by the applicant  588
either manually or by electronic signature, that does all of the  589
following:  590
       (1) States that the applicant maintains, or has maintained  591
on the applicant's behalf, proof of financial responsibility at  592
the time of application, and will not operate a motor vehicle in  593
this state, unless the applicant maintains, with respect to that  594
motor vehicle or the operation of such vehicle, proof of  595
financial responsibility;  596
       (2) Contains a brief summary of the purposes and operation  597
of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code, the rights and duties  598
of the applicant under that section, and the penalties for  599
violation of that section;  600
       (3) Warns the applicant that the financial responsibility  601
law does not prevent the possibility that the applicant may be  602
involved in an accident with an owner or operator of a motor  603
vehicle who is without proof of financial responsibility.  604
       (C)(1) A person who purchases any motor vehicle from a  605
licensed motor vehicle dealer who agrees to make application for  606
registration of the motor vehicle on behalf of the purchaser  607
shall sign statements that comply with divisions (B) and (F) of  608
this section. The dealer shall submit the statements to the  609
deputy registrar where the dealer has agreed to make application  610
for registration on behalf of the person.  611
       (2) In the case of a person who leases any motor vehicle  612
H. B. No. 678  Page 22
As Introduced
from a dealer engaged in the business of leasing motor vehicles  613
who agrees to make application for registration of the motor  614
vehicle on behalf of the lessee, the person shall sign a  615
statement that complies with division (B) of this section, and  616
the dealer shall do either of the following:  617
       (a) Submit the statement signed by the person to the  618
deputy registrar where the dealer has agreed to make application  619
for registration on behalf of the person;  620
       (b) Sign and submit a statement to the deputy registrar  621
that certifies that a statement has been signed and filed with  622
the dealer or incorporated into the lease.  623
       The dealer shall submit to the registrar or deputy  624
registrar to whom the dealer submits the application for  625
registration a statement signed by the person that complies with  626
division (F) of this section.  627
       (D) The registrar of motor vehicles shall prescribe the  628
form of the statements required under divisions (B), (C), and  629
(F) of this section, and the manner or manners in which the  630
statements required under divisions (B) and (F) of this section  631
shall be presented to the applicant. Any statement that is  632
required under divisions (B), (C), and (F) of this section shall  633
be designed to enable the applicant to retain a copy of it.  634
       (E) Nothing within this section shall be construed to  635
excuse a violation of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code. A  636
motor vehicle dealer who makes application for the registration  637
of a motor vehicle on behalf of the purchaser or lessee of the  638
motor vehicle is not liable in damages in any civil action on  639
account of the act of making such application for registration  640
or the content of any such application for registration.  641
H. B. No. 678  Page 23
As Introduced
       (F) In addition to the statements required by divisions  642
(B) and (C) of this section, a person who makes application for  643
registration of a motor vehicle shall be furnished with a form  644
that lists in plain language all the possible penalties to which  645
a person could be subject for a violation of the financial  646
responsibility law, including driver's license suspensions,  647
impoundment of certificates of registration and license plates,  648
and all fees, including nonvoluntary compliance and  649
reinstatement fees. The person shall read the form and either  650
manually or by electronic signature sign the form, which shall  651
be submitted along with the application for registration as  652
provided in this section. The form shall be retained by the  653
registrar or deputy registrar who issues the motor vehicle  654
registration or the registrar's or deputy registrar's successor  655
for a period of two years from the date of issuance of the  656
registration.  657
       (G) Upon the registration of a motor vehicle, the owner of  658
the motor vehicle is deemed to have agreed to the production of  659
proof of financial responsibility by the owner or the operator  660
of the motor vehicle, upon the request of a peace officer or  661
state highway patrol trooper made in accordance with division  662
(D)(2) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code.  663
       (H) The registrar shall adopt rules governing the renewal  664
of motor vehicle registrations by electronic means, the  665
mechanism of providing proof of financial responsibility through  666
those electronic means, and the completion and submission of  667
statements that comply with divisions (B) and (F) of this  668
section. The registrar shall adopt the rules prescribed by this  669
division in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.  670
       Sec. 4503.48. (A) The owner or lessee of any passenger  671
H. B. No. 678  Page 24
As Introduced
car, noncommercial motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or other  672
vehicle of a class approved by the registrar of motor vehicles  673
may apply to the registrar for the registration of the vehicle  674
and issuance of a blackout license plate. The application may be  675
combined with a request for a special reserved license plate  676
under section 4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Upon  677
receipt of the completed application and compliance by the  678
applicant with divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the  679
registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate vehicle  680
registration and a blackout license plate and a validation  681
sticker, or a validation sticker alone when required by section  682
4503.191 of the Revised Code.  683
       In addition to the letters and numbers ordinarily  684
inscribed on the license plates, blackout license plates shall  685
have a black background with white letters or numbers. Blackout  686
license plates shall not display the slogan "BIRTHPLACE OF  687
AVIATION" as required under section 4503.22 of the Revised Code.  688
Blackout license plates also shall not display county  689
identification stickers that identify the county of registration  690
as required under section 4503.19 of the Revised Code.  691
       (B) A blackout license plate and a validation sticker, or  692
validation sticker alone, shall be issued upon receipt of an  693
application for registration of a motor vehicle under this  694
section; payment of the regular license tax as prescribed under  695
section 4503.04 of the Revised Code, any applicable motor  696
vehicle license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised  697
Code, any applicable additional fee prescribed by section  698
4503.40 or 4503.42 of the Revised Code, a blackout license plate  699
fee as provided in division (C) of this section, and an  700
additional administrative fee of ten dollars; and compliance  701
with all other applicable laws relating to the registration of  702
H. B. No. 678  Page 25
As Introduced
motor vehicles.  703
       (C) For each application for registration and registration  704
renewal notice the registrar receives under this section, the  705
registrar shall collect a blackout license plate fee of forty  706
dollars. The registrar shall deposit both of the following into  707
the state treasury to the credit of the public safety - highway  708
purposes fund created in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code:  709
       (1) The forty-dollar blackout license plate fee, the  710
purpose of which is to offset the costs of the online financial  711
responsibility verification system established under sections  712
4509.43 to 4509.434 of the Revised Code;  713
       (2) The ten-dollar administrative fee, the purpose of  714
which is to compensate the bureau of motor vehicles for  715
additional services required in the issuing of blackout license  716
plates.  717
       Sec. 4507.212. (A) As used in this section, "motor  718
vehicle" has the same meaning as in section 4509.01 of the  719
Revised Code.  720
       (B) An application for a driver's, commercial driver's,  721
restricted, or probationary license, or renewal of such license  722
shall contain a statement, to be signed by the applicant, that  723
does all of the following:  724
       (1) States that the applicant maintains, or has maintained  725
on the applicant's behalf, proof of financial responsibility at  726
the time of application, and will not operate a motor vehicle in  727
this state, unless the applicant maintains, or has maintained on  728
the applicant's behalf, proof of financial responsibility;  729
       (2) Contains a brief summary of the purposes and operation  730
of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code, the rights and duties  731
H. B. No. 678  Page 26
As Introduced
of the applicant under that section, and the penalties for  732
violation of that section;  733
       (3) Warns the applicant that the financial responsibility  734
law does not prevent the possibility that the applicant may be  735
involved in an accident with an owner or operator of a motor  736
vehicle who is without proof of financial responsibility.  737
       (C) The registrar of motor vehicles shall prescribe the  738
form of the statement, and the manner in which the statement  739
shall be presented to the applicant. The statement shall be  740
designed to enable the applicant to retain a copy of it.  741
       (D) Nothing within this section shall be construed to  742
excuse a violation of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code.  743
       (E) At the time a person submits an application for a  744
driver's, commercial driver's, restricted, or probationary  745
license, or renewal of such a license, the applicant also shall  746
be furnished with a form that lists in plain language all the  747
possible penalties to which the applicant could be subject for a  748
violation of the financial responsibility law, including  749
driver's license suspensions, impoundment of certificates of  750
registration and license plates, and all fees, including  751
nonvoluntary compliance and reinstatement fees. The applicant  752
shall sign the form, which shall be submitted along with the  753
application. The form shall be retained by the registrar or  754
deputy registrar who issues the license or renewal or the  755
registrar's or deputy registrar's successor for a period of two  756
years from the date of issuance of the license or renewal. The  757
registrar shall prescribe the manner in which the form shall be  758
presented to the applicant, and the format of the form, which  759
shall be such that the applicant can retain a copy of it.  760
H. B. No. 678  Page 27
As Introduced
       Sec. 4509.101. (A)(1) No person shall operate, or permit  761
the operation of, a motor vehicle in this state, unless proof of  762
financial responsibility is maintained continuously throughout  763
the registration period with respect to that vehicle, or, in the  764
case of a driver who is not the owner, with respect to that  765
driver's operation of that vehicle.  766
       (2) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section shall  767
be subject to the following civil penalties:  768
       (a) Subject to divisions (A)(2)(b) and (c) of this  769
section, a class (F) suspension of the person's driver's  770
license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction  771
permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege  772
for the period of time specified in division (B)(6) of section  773
4510.02 of the Revised Code and impoundment of the person's  774
license. The court may grant limited driving privileges to the  775
person, but only if the person presents proof of financial  776
responsibility and is enrolled in a reinstatement fee payment  777
plan pursuant to section 4510.10 of the Revised Code.  778
       (b) If, within one year of the violation, the person's  779
operating privileges are again suspended and the person's  780
license again is impounded for a violation of division (A)(1) of  781
this section, a class C suspension of the person's driver's  782
license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction  783
permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege  784
for the period of time specified in division (B)(3) of section  785
4510.02 of the Revised Code. The court may grant limited driving  786
privileges to the person only if the person presents proof of  787
financial responsibility and has complied with division (A)(5)  788
of this section, and no court may grant limited driving  789
privileges for the first fifteen days of the suspension.  790
H. B. No. 678  Page 28
As Introduced
       (c) If, within one year of the violation, the person's  791
operating privileges are suspended and the person's license is  792
impounded two or more times for a violation of division (A)(1)  793
of this section, a class B suspension of the person's driver's  794
license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction  795
permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege  796
for the period of time specified in division (B)(2) of section  797
4510.02 of the Revised Code. The court may grant limited driving  798
privileges to the person only if the person presents proof of  799
financial responsibility and has complied with division (A)(5)  800
of this section, except that no court may grant limited driving  801
privileges for the first thirty days of the suspension.  802
       (d) In addition to the suspension of an owner's license  803
under division (A)(2)(a), (b), or (c) of this section, the  804
suspension of the rights of the owner to register the motor  805
vehicle and the impoundment of the owner's certificate of  806
registration and license plates until the owner complies with  807
division (A)(5) of this section.  808
       (e) The clerk of court shall waive the cost of filing a  809
petition for limited driving privileges if, pursuant to section  810
2323.311 of the Revised Code, the petitioner applies to be  811
qualified as an indigent litigant and the court approves the  812
application.  813
       (3) A person to whom this state has issued a certificate  814
of registration for a motor vehicle or a license to operate a  815
motor vehicle or who is determined to have operated any motor  816
vehicle or permitted the operation in this state of a motor  817
vehicle owned by the person shall be is required to verify the  818
existence of proof of financial responsibility covering the  819
operation of the motor vehicle or the person's operation of the  820
H. B. No. 678  Page 29
As Introduced
motor vehicle under either any of the following circumstances:  821
        (a) The person or a motor vehicle owned by the person is  822
involved in a traffic accident that requires the filing of an  823
accident report under section 4509.06 of the Revised Code.  824
        (b) The person receives a traffic ticket indicating that  825
both of the following:  826
        (i) That proof of the maintenance of financial  827
responsibility was not verified for the motor vehicle when a  828
peace officer or state highway patrol trooper made an inquiry  829
via the online financial responsibility verification system  830
established under sections 4509.43 to 4509.434 of the Revised  831
Code;  832
        (ii) That proof of the maintenance of financial  833
responsibility was not produced upon the request of a peace  834
officer or state highway patrol trooper made in accordance with  835
division (D)(2) of this section.  836
        (c) The person submits an application for registration or  837
registration renewal in accordance with the procedures specified  838
under section 4503.10 of the Revised Code.  839
        (d) Whenever the registrar, via the online financial  840
responsibility verification system established under sections  841
4509.43 to 4509.434 of the Revised Code, determines that a  842
person is not maintaining proof of financial responsibility and  843
requests the person to respond under section 4509.433 of the  844
Revised Code.  845
        (4) An order of the registrar that suspends and impounds a  846
license, registration, or both, shall state the date on or  847
before which the person is required to surrender the person's  848
license or certificate of registration and license plates. The  849
H. B. No. 678  Page 30
As Introduced
person is deemed to have surrendered the license or certificate  850
of registration and license plates, in compliance with the  851
order, if the person does either of the following:  852
       (a) On or before the date specified in the order, delivers  853
the license or certificate of registration and license plates to  854
the registrar;  855
       (b) Mails the license or certificate of registration and  856
license plates to the registrar in an envelope or container  857
bearing a postmark showing a date no later than the date  858
specified in the order.  859
       (5) Except as provided in division (L) of this section or  860
division (B) of section 4509.434 of the Revised Code, the  861
registrar shall not restore any operating privileges or  862
registration rights suspended under this section, return any  863
license, certificate of registration, or license plates  864
surrendered under this section, or reissue license plates under  865
section 4503.232 of the Revised Code, if the registrar destroyed  866
the impounded license plates under that section, or reissue a  867
license under section 4510.52 of the Revised Code, if the  868
registrar destroyed the suspended license under that section,  869
unless the rights are not subject to suspension or revocation  870
under any other law and unless the person, in addition to  871
complying with all other conditions required by law for  872
reinstatement of the operating privileges or registration  873
rights, complies with all of the following:  874
       (a) Pays to the registrar or an eligible deputy registrar  875
a financial responsibility reinstatement fee of forty dollars  876
for the first violation of division (A)(1) of this section,  877
three hundred dollars for a second violation of that division,  878
and six hundred dollars for a third or subsequent violation of  879
H. B. No. 678  Page 31
As Introduced
that division;  880
       (b) Files and continuously maintains proof of financial  881
responsibility in accordance with sections 4509.44 to 4509.65 of  882
the Revised Code;  883
       (c) Pays a deputy registrar a service fee of ten dollars  884
to compensate the deputy registrar for services performed under  885
this section. The deputy registrar shall retain eight dollars of  886
the service fee and shall transmit the reinstatement fee and two  887
dollars of the service fee to the registrar in the manner the  888
registrar shall determine.  889
       (B)(1) Every party required to file an accident report  890
under section 4509.06 of the Revised Code also shall include  891
with the report a document described in division (G)(1)(a) of  892
this section or shall present proof of financial responsibility  893
through use of an electronic wireless communications device as  894
permitted by division (G)(1)(b) of this section.  895
       If the registrar determines, within forty-five days after  896
the report is filed, that an operator or owner has violated  897
division (A)(1) of this section, the registrar shall do all of  898
the following:  899
       (a) Order the suspension required under division (A)(2)  900
(a), (b), or (c) of this section of the license of any operator  901
or owner who has violated division (A)(1) of this section;  902
       (b) With respect to the motor vehicle that is the subject  903
of the violation, order the impoundment required under division  904
(A)(2)(d) of this section of the certificate of registration and  905
license plates of any owner who has violated division (A)(1) of  906
this section;  907
       (c) Record the name and address of the person whose  908
H. B. No. 678  Page 32
As Introduced
license has been suspended or is under an order of suspension,  909
or whose certificate of registration and license plates have  910
been impounded or are under an order of impoundment, the serial  911
number of the person's license, the serial numbers of the  912
person's certificate of registration and license plates, and the  913
person's social security account number, if assigned, or, where  914
the motor vehicle that is the subject of the violation is used  915
for hire or principally in connection with any established  916
business, the person's federal taxpayer identification number.  917
The information shall be recorded in such a manner that it  918
becomes a part of the person's permanent record, and assists the  919
registrar in monitoring compliance with the orders of suspension  920
or impoundment.  921
       (c)(d) Send written notification to every person to whom  922
the order pertains, at the person's last known address as shown  923
on the records of the bureau. The person, within ten days after  924
the date of the mailing of the notification, shall surrender to  925
the registrar, in a manner set forth in division (A)(4) of this  926
section, any license under an order of suspension, or any  927
certificate of registration and license plates under an order of  928
impoundment.  929
       (2) The registrar shall issue any order under division (B)  930
(1) of this section without a hearing. Any person adversely  931
affected by the order, within fifteen days after the issuance of  932
the order, may request an administrative hearing before the  933
registrar, who shall provide the person with an opportunity for  934
a hearing in accordance with this paragraph. A request for a  935
hearing does not operate as a suspension of the order. The scope  936
of the hearing shall be limited to whether the person in fact  937
demonstrated to the registrar proof of financial responsibility  938
in accordance with this section. The registrar shall determine  939
H. B. No. 678  Page 33
As Introduced
the date, time, and place of any hearing, provided that the  940
hearing shall be held, and an order issued or findings made,  941
within thirty days after the registrar receives a request for a  942
hearing. If requested by the person in writing, the registrar  943
may designate as the place of hearing the county seat of the  944
county in which the person resides or a place within fifty miles  945
of the person's residence. The person shall pay the cost of the  946
hearing before the registrar, if the registrar's order of  947
suspension or impoundment is upheld.  948
       (C) Any order of suspension or impoundment issued under  949
this section or division (B) of section 4509.37 of the Revised  950
Code may be terminated at any time if the registrar determines  951
upon a showing of proof of financial responsibility that the  952
operator or owner of the motor vehicle was in compliance with  953
division (A)(1) of this section at the time of the traffic  954
offense, motor vehicle inspection, or accident that resulted in  955
the order against the person. A determination may be made  956
without a hearing. This division does not apply unless the  957
person shows good cause for the person's failure to present  958
satisfactory proof of financial responsibility to the registrar  959
prior to the issuance of the order.  960
       (D)(1)(a)(D)(1) For the purpose of enforcing this section,  961
every peace officer is deemed an agent of the registrar.  962
       (b) Any (a) Except as provided in division (D)(1)(b) of  963
this section, any peace officer who, in the performance of the  964
peace officer's duties as authorized by law, becomes aware of a  965
person whose license is under an order of suspension, or whose  966
certificate of registration and license plates are under an  967
order of impoundment, pursuant to this section, may confiscate  968
the license, certificate of registration, and license plates,  969
H. B. No. 678  Page 34
As Introduced
and return it them to the registrar.  970
       (b) Any peace officer who, in the performance of the peace  971
officer's duties as authorized by law, becomes aware of a person  972
whose license is under an order of suspension, or whose  973
certificate of registration and license plates are under an  974
order of impoundment, resulting from failure to respond to an  975
online financial responsibility verification system request,  976
shall not, for that reason arrest the owner or operator.  977
Instead, the peace officer shall issue a citation for a  978
violation of section 4510.16 of the Revised Code specifying the  979
circumstances as failure to respond to an online financial  980
responsibility verification system request.  981
       (2) A peace officer shall request the owner or operator of  982
a motor vehicle to produce proof of financial responsibility in  983
a manner described in division (G) of this section make an  984
inquiry via the online financial responsibility verification  985
system at the time the peace officer acts to enforce the traffic  986
laws of this state and during motor vehicle inspections  987
conducted pursuant to section 4513.02 of the Revised Code. If  988
the results of the inquiry indicate no proof of the maintenance  989
of financial responsibility or are inconclusive, the peace  990
officer shall request the owner or operator of the motor vehicle  991
to produce proof of financial responsibility in a manner  992
described in division (G) of this section.  993
       (3) A peace officer shall indicate on every traffic ticket  994
the results of the inquiry via the online financial  995
responsibility verification system and whether the person  996
receiving the traffic ticket produced proof of the maintenance  997
of financial responsibility in response to the officer's request  998
under division (D)(2) of this section, as applicable. The peace  999
H. B. No. 678  Page 35
As Introduced
officer shall inform every person who receives a traffic ticket  1000
and who has failed to produce proof of the maintenance of  1001
financial responsibility that the person must submit proof to  1002
the traffic violations bureau with any payment of a fine and  1003
costs for the ticketed violation or, if the person is to appear  1004
in court for the violation, the person must submit proof to the  1005
court.  1006
       (4)(a) If a person who has failed to produce proof of the  1007
maintenance of financial responsibility appears in court for a  1008
ticketed violation, the court may permit the defendant to  1009
present evidence of proof of financial responsibility to the  1010
court at such time and in such manner as the court determines to  1011
be necessary or appropriate. In a manner prescribed by the  1012
registrar, the clerk of courts shall provide the registrar with  1013
the identity of any person who fails to submit proof of the  1014
maintenance of financial responsibility pursuant to division (D)  1015
(3) of this section.  1016
       (b) If a person who has failed to produce proof of the  1017
maintenance of financial responsibility also fails to submit  1018
that proof to the traffic violations bureau with payment of a  1019
fine and costs for the ticketed violation, the traffic  1020
violations bureau, in a manner prescribed by the registrar,  1021
shall notify the registrar of the identity of that person.  1022
       (5)(a) Upon receiving notice from a clerk of courts or  1023
traffic violations bureau pursuant to division (D)(4) of this  1024
section, the registrar shall order the suspension of the license  1025
of the person required under division (A)(2)(a), (b), or (c) of  1026
this section and the impoundment of the person's certificate of  1027
registration and license plates required under division (A)(2)  1028
(d) of this section, effective forty-five days after the date of  1029
H. B. No. 678  Page 36
As Introduced
the mailing of notification. The registrar also shall notify the  1030
person that the person must present the registrar with proof of  1031
financial responsibility in accordance with this section,  1032
surrender to the registrar the person's license, certificate of  1033
registration, and license plates, or submit a statement subject  1034
to section 2921.13 of the Revised Code that the person did not  1035
operate or permit the operation of the motor vehicle at the time  1036
of the offense. Notification shall be in writing and shall be  1037
sent to the person at the person's last known address as shown  1038
on the records of the bureau of motor vehicles. The person,  1039
within forty-five days after the date of the mailing of  1040
notification, shall present proof of financial responsibility,  1041
surrender the license, certificate of registration, and license  1042
plates to the registrar in a manner set forth in division (A)(4)  1043
of this section, or submit the statement required under this  1044
section together with other information the person considers  1045
appropriate.  1046
       If the registrar does not receive proof or the person does  1047
not surrender the license, certificate of registration, and  1048
license plates, in accordance with this division, the registrar  1049
shall permit the order for the suspension of the license of the  1050
person and the impoundment of the certificate of registration  1051
and license plates to take effect.  1052
       (b) In the case of a person who presents, within the  1053
forty-five-day period, proof of financial responsibility, the  1054
registrar shall terminate the order of suspension and the  1055
impoundment of the certificate of registration and license  1056
plates and shall send written notification to the person, at the  1057
person's last known address as shown on the records of the  1058
bureau.  1059
H. B. No. 678  Page 37
As Introduced
       (c) Any person adversely affected by the order of the  1060
registrar under division (D)(5)(a) or (b) of this section,  1061
within fifteen days after the issuance of the order, may request  1062
an administrative hearing before the registrar, who shall  1063
provide the person with an opportunity for a hearing in  1064
accordance with this paragraph. A request for a hearing does not  1065
operate as a suspension of the order. The scope of the hearing  1066
shall be limited to whether, at the time of the hearing, the  1067
person presents proof of financial responsibility covering the  1068
vehicle and whether the person is eligible for an exemption in  1069
accordance with this section or any rule adopted under it. The  1070
registrar shall determine the date, time, and place of any  1071
hearing; provided, that the hearing shall be held, and an order  1072
issued or findings made, within thirty days after the registrar  1073
receives a request for a hearing. If requested by the person,  1074
the hearing may be held remotely by electronic means. If  1075
requested by the person in writing, the registrar may designate  1076
as the place of hearing the county seat of the county in which  1077
the person resides or a place within fifty miles of the person's  1078
residence. Such person shall pay the cost of the hearing before  1079
the registrar, if the registrar's order of suspension under  1080
division (D)(5)(a) or (b) of this section is upheld.  1081
       (6) Any forms used by law enforcement agencies in  1082
administering this section shall be prescribed, supplied, and  1083
paid for by the registrar.  1084
       (7) No peace officer, law enforcement agency employing a  1085
peace officer, or political subdivision or governmental agency  1086
that employs a peace officer shall be liable in a civil action  1087
for damages or loss to persons arising out of the performance of  1088
any duty required or authorized by this section.  1089
H. B. No. 678  Page 38
As Introduced
       (8) As used in this section, "peace officer" has the  1090
meaning set forth in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.  1091
       (E) All fees, except court costs, fees paid to a deputy  1092
registrar, and those portions of the financial responsibility  1093
reinstatement fees as otherwise specified in this division,  1094
collected under this section shall be paid into the state  1095
treasury to the credit of the public safety - highway purposes  1096
fund established in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code and used  1097
to cover costs incurred by the bureau in the administration of  1098
this section and sections 4503.20, 4507.212, and 4509.81 of the  1099
Revised Code, and by any law enforcement agency employing any  1100
peace officer who returns any license, certificate of  1101
registration, and license plates to the registrar pursuant to  1102
division (C) of this section.  1103
       Of each financial responsibility reinstatement fee the  1104
registrar collects pursuant to division (A)(5)(a) of this  1105
section or receives from a deputy registrar under division (A)  1106
(5)(c) of this section, the registrar shall deposit ten dollars  1107
of each forty-dollar reinstatement fee, fifty dollars of each  1108
three-hundred-dollar reinstatement fee, and one hundred dollars  1109
of each six-hundred-dollar reinstatement fee into the state  1110
treasury to the credit of the indigent defense support fund  1111
created by section 120.08 of the Revised Code.  1112
       (F) Chapter 119. of the Revised Code applies to this  1113
section only to the extent that any provision in that chapter is  1114
not clearly inconsistent with this section.  1115
       (G)(1)(a) The registrar, court, traffic violations bureau,  1116
or peace officer may require proof of financial responsibility  1117
to be demonstrated by use of a standard form prescribed by the  1118
registrar. If the use of a standard form is not required, a  1119
H. B. No. 678  Page 39
As Introduced
person may demonstrate proof of financial responsibility under  1120
this section by presenting to the traffic violations bureau,  1121
court, registrar, or peace officer any of the following  1122
documents or a copy of the documents:  1123
       (i) A financial responsibility identification card as  1124
provided in section 4509.103 of the Revised Code;  1125
       (ii) A certificate of proof of financial responsibility on  1126
a form provided and approved by the registrar for the filing of  1127
an accident report required to be filed under section 4509.06 of  1128
the Revised Code;  1129
       (iii) A policy of liability insurance, a declaration page  1130
of a policy of liability insurance, or liability bond, if the  1131
policy or bond complies with section 4509.20 or sections 4509.49  1132
to 4509.61 of the Revised Code;  1133
       (iv) A bond or certification of the issuance of a bond as  1134
provided in section 4509.59 of the Revised Code;  1135
       (v) A certificate of deposit of money or securities as  1136
provided in section 4509.62 of the Revised Code;  1137
       (vi) A certificate of self-insurance as provided in  1138
section 4509.72 of the Revised Code.  1139
       (b) A person also may present proof of financial  1140
responsibility under this section to the traffic violations  1141
bureau, court, registrar, or peace officer through use of an  1142
electronic wireless communications device as specified under  1143
section 4509.103 of the Revised Code.  1144
       (2) If a person fails to demonstrate proof of financial  1145
responsibility in a manner described in division (G)(1) of this  1146
section, the person may demonstrate proof of financial  1147
H. B. No. 678  Page 40
As Introduced
responsibility under this section by any other method that the  1148
court or the bureau, by reason of circumstances in a particular  1149
case, may consider appropriate.  1150
       (3) A motor carrier certificated by the interstate  1151
commerce commission or by the public utilities commission may  1152
demonstrate proof of financial responsibility by providing a  1153
statement designating the motor carrier's operating authority  1154
and averring that the insurance coverage required by the  1155
certificating authority is in full force and effect.  1156
       (4)(a) A finding by the registrar or court that a person  1157
is covered by proof of financial responsibility in the form of  1158
an insurance policy or surety bond is not binding upon the named  1159
insurer or surety or any of its officers, employees, agents, or  1160
representatives and has no legal effect except for the purpose  1161
of administering this section.  1162
       (b) The preparation and delivery of a financial  1163
responsibility identification card or any other document  1164
authorized to be used as proof of financial responsibility and  1165
the generation and delivery of proof of financial responsibility  1166
to an electronic wireless communications device that is  1167
displayed on the device as text or images does not do any of the  1168
following:  1169
       (i) Create any liability or estoppel against an insurer or  1170
surety, or any of its officers, employees, agents, or  1171
representatives;  1172
       (ii) Constitute an admission of the existence of, or of  1173
any liability or coverage under, any policy or bond;  1174
       (iii) Waive any defenses or counterclaims available to an  1175
insurer, surety, agent, employee, or representative in an action  1176
H. B. No. 678  Page 41
As Introduced
commenced by an insured or third-party claimant upon a cause of  1177
action alleged to have arisen under an insurance policy or  1178
surety bond or by reason of the preparation and delivery of a  1179
document for use as proof of financial responsibility or the  1180
generation and delivery of proof of financial responsibility to  1181
an electronic wireless communications device.  1182
       (c) Whenever it is determined by a final judgment in a  1183
judicial proceeding that an insurer or surety, which has been  1184
named on a document or displayed on an electronic wireless  1185
communications device accepted by a court or the registrar as  1186
proof of financial responsibility covering the operation of a  1187
motor vehicle at the time of an accident or offense, is not  1188
liable to pay a judgment for injuries or damages resulting from  1189
such operation, the registrar, notwithstanding any previous  1190
contrary finding, shall forthwith suspend the operating  1191
privileges and registration rights of the person against whom  1192
the judgment was rendered as provided in division (A)(2) of this  1193
section.  1194
       (H) In order for any document or display of text or images  1195
on an electronic wireless communications device described in  1196
division (G)(1) of this section to be used for the demonstration  1197
of proof of financial responsibility under this section, the  1198
document or words or images shall state the name of the insured  1199
or obligor, the name of the insurer or surety company, and the  1200
effective and expiration dates of the financial responsibility,  1201
and designate by explicit description or by appropriate  1202
reference all motor vehicles covered which may include a  1203
reference to fleet insurance coverage.  1204
       (I) For purposes of this section, "owner" does not include  1205
a licensed motor vehicle leasing dealer as defined in section  1206
H. B. No. 678  Page 42
As Introduced
4517.01 of the Revised Code, but does include a motor vehicle  1207
renting dealer as defined in section 4549.65 of the Revised  1208
Code. Nothing in this section or in section 4509.51 of the  1209
Revised Code shall be construed to prohibit a motor vehicle  1210
renting dealer from entering into a contractual agreement with a  1211
person whereby the person renting the motor vehicle agrees to be  1212
solely responsible for maintaining proof of financial  1213
responsibility, in accordance with this section, with respect to  1214
the operation, maintenance, or use of the motor vehicle during  1215
the period of the motor vehicle's rental.  1216
       (J) The purpose of this section is to require the  1217
maintenance of proof of financial responsibility with respect to  1218
the operation of motor vehicles on the highways of this state,  1219
so as to minimize those situations in which persons are not  1220
compensated for injuries and damages sustained in motor vehicle  1221
accidents. The general assembly finds that this section contains  1222
reasonable civil penalties and procedures for achieving this  1223
purpose.  1224
       (K) Nothing in this section shall be construed to be  1225
subject to section 4509.78 of the Revised Code.  1226
       (L)(1) The registrar may terminate any suspension imposed  1227
under this section and not require the owner to comply with  1228
division (A)(5) of this section if the registrar with or without  1229
a hearing determines that the owner of the vehicle has  1230
established by clear and convincing evidence that all of the  1231
following apply:  1232
       (a) The owner customarily maintains proof of financial  1233
responsibility.  1234
       (b) Proof of financial responsibility was not in effect  1235
H. B. No. 678  Page 43
As Introduced
for the vehicle on the date in question for one of the following  1236
reasons:  1237
       (i) The vehicle was inoperable.  1238
       (ii) The vehicle is operated only seasonally, and the date  1239
in question was outside the season of operation, and the vehicle  1240
was not operated on that date.  1241
       (iii) A person other than the vehicle owner or driver was  1242
at fault for the lapse of proof of financial responsibility  1243
through no fault of the owner or driver.  1244
       (iv) The lapse of proof of financial responsibility was  1245
caused by excusable neglect under circumstances that are not  1246
likely to recur and do not suggest a purpose to evade the  1247
requirements of this chapter.  1248
       (2) The registrar may grant an owner or driver relief for  1249
a reason specified in division (L)(1)(b)(iii) or (iv) of this  1250
section only if the owner or driver has not previously been  1251
granted relief under division (L)(1)(b)(iii) or (iv) of this  1252
section.  1253
       (M) The registrar shall adopt rules in accordance with  1254
Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that are necessary to  1255
administer and enforce this section. The rules shall include  1256
provisions relating to acceptable forms of proof of financial  1257
responsibility, the use of an electronic wireless communications  1258
device to present proof of financial responsibility, and  1259
verification of the existence of financial responsibility during  1260
the period of registration.  1261
       (N)(1) When a person utilizes an electronic wireless  1262
communications device to present proof of financial  1263
responsibility, only the evidence of financial responsibility  1264
H. B. No. 678  Page 44
As Introduced
displayed on the device shall be viewed by the registrar, peace  1265
officer, employee or official of the traffic violations bureau,  1266
or the court. No other content of the device shall be viewed for  1267
purposes of obtaining proof of financial responsibility.  1268
       (2) When a person provides an electronic wireless  1269
communications device to the registrar, a peace officer, an  1270
employee or official of a traffic violations bureau, or the  1271
court, the person assumes the risk of any resulting damage to  1272
the device unless the registrar, peace officer, employee, or  1273
official, or court personnel purposely, knowingly, or recklessly  1274
commits an action that results in damage to the device.  1275
       Sec. 4509.43. As used in sections 4509.43 to 4509.434 of  1276
the Revised Code:  1277
       "Commercial motor vehicle coverage" means the insurance  1278
coverage provided for commercial motor vehicles, regardless of  1279
the number of commercial motor vehicles covered, the entity  1280
covered, or the format of the insurance.  1281
       "Required financial responsibility verification event"  1282
means any event during which a person is required to provide  1283
proof of financial responsibility, including during traffic  1284
stops, traffic accidents, motor vehicle inspections, motor  1285
vehicle registration, and appearance before the traffic  1286
violations bureau.  1287
       Sec. 4509.431. (A)(1) The registrar of motor vehicles  1288
shall, in accordance with sections 4509.43 to 4509.434 of the  1289
Revised Code and rules adopted under those sections, implement  1290
an online financial responsibility verification system. The  1291
registrar shall either create and develop the system or shall  1292
contract with a third party to create and develop the system.  1293
H. B. No. 678  Page 45
As Introduced
The system may be based in whole or in part on the model  1294
established by the insurance industry committee on motor vehicle  1295
administration. The registrar or the contracted third party  1296
shall ensure that the system is capable of electronically  1297
verifying proof of financial responsibility for motor vehicles  1298
that are registered in this state.  1299
       (2) The entity that creates and develops the system is  1300
responsible for all ongoing maintenance of the system, including  1301
all technology support services, troubleshooting, and technology  1302
updates.  1303
       (B) The registrar and any third party, if applicable,  1304
shall work together to ensure that all of the following apply to  1305
the online financial responsibility verification system:  1306
       (1) At the time of a required financial responsibility  1307
verification event, it is able to verify whether a person  1308
operating a motor vehicle registered in this state has proof of  1309
financial responsibility with respect to that motor vehicle that  1310
is either maintained by the motor vehicle's owner or operator.  1311
The verification conducted under division (B)(1) of this section  1312
is based on the latest information included in the system,  1313
specifically whether the owner or operator has added, dropped,  1314
or changed the owner's or operator's proof of financial  1315
responsibility.  1316
       (2) It is able to send requests to insurers for  1317
verification of proof of financial responsibility through  1318
electronic services or the internet using multiple data  1319
elements, including:  1320
       (a) The national association of insurance commissioner's  1321
code that is specific to each licensed insurance company;  1322
H. B. No. 678  Page 46
As Introduced
       (b) Vehicle identification number;  1323
       (c) Policy number;  1324
       (d) Any other data element as determined by the registrar  1325
by rule.  1326
       (3) It uses data and data transmission formats that are  1327
compatible with the technology and systems available to and used  1328
by the bureau of motor vehicles.  1329
       (4) It provides sufficient measures for the security and  1330
integrity of the data contained in and obtained through use of  1331
the system. Such measures may include measures that limit the  1332
use and disclosure of the data in accordance with the disclosure  1333
authorized for personal information, other than sensitive  1334
personal information, in section 4501.27 of the Revised Code and  1335
in compliance with all federal and state data privacy laws.  1336
       (C) The registrar and any third party, if applicable,  1337
shall maintain a record of all system data related to an inquiry  1338
and the response to that inquiry for not less than six months  1339
after the date of the inquiry and the response to that inquiry.  1340
       (D) The registrar and any third party, if applicable, may  1341
implement periods of reasonable system downtime for system  1342
maintenance as determined by the registrar.  1343
       Sec. 4509.432. (A) Except as otherwise provided by this  1344
section, any insurer that provides proof of financial  1345
responsibility for a motor vehicle registered in this state  1346
shall do all of the following with respect to the online  1347
financial responsibility verification system:  1348
       (1) Cooperate with the registrar of motor vehicles and any  1349
third party, if applicable, in establishing and operating the  1350
H. B. No. 678  Page 47
As Introduced
system;  1351
       (2) Maintain the data necessary to verify proof of  1352
financial responsibility provided to customers and update such  1353
data as necessary and in the time period established by and  1354
through the system;  1355
       (3) Maintain any internet or electronic service through  1356
which the online verification can take place, including the  1357
ability to respond to authorized inquiries regarding whether a  1358
motor vehicle is insured or an insurance policy is in effect on  1359
the requested date that is based on the latest information  1360
included in the system;  1361
       (4) Provide data security consistent with all established  1362
and agreed-upon standards;  1363
       (5) Maintain a record of all system data related to an  1364
inquiry and the response to that inquiry for not less than six  1365
months after the date of the inquiry and the response to that  1366
inquiry.  1367
       (B) Any insurer that provides commercial motor vehicle  1368
coverage or that covers less than one thousand motor vehicles  1369
registered in this state shall cooperate with the registrar to  1370
verify proof of financial responsibility either by using the  1371
online financial responsibility verification system or by  1372
establishing a mechanism to verify coverage through data file  1373
transfers to the registrar, in a form and in the time period  1374
established by the registrar. A vehicle identification number is  1375
not required as part of the data transfer if the commercial  1376
motor vehicle coverage is a nonvehicle specific policy or is not  1377
regularly required by the insurer.  1378
       (C)  1379
H. B. No. 678  Page 48
As Introduced
       An insurer may use a third party service provider to  1380
facilitate the responsibilities of the insurer under this  1381
section.  1382
       (D) An insurer and third-party service provider are immune  1383
from civil and administrative liability if that insurer or  1384
provider makes reasonable efforts, as determined by the  1385
registrar, to comply with this section.  1386
       Sec. 4509.433. (A) When, through the operation of the  1387
online financial responsibility verification system, a person is  1388
identified as not having proof of financial responsibility with  1389
respect to a motor vehicle owned or leased by that person,  1390
notice shall be sent to the person, either by electronic means  1391
or through regular mail at the last known address on record for  1392
the person. The notice shall request that the person respond in  1393
accordance with rules adopted by the registrar of motor vehicles  1394
under section 4509.434 of the Revised Code by doing one of the  1395
following:  1396
       (1) Providing proof of financial responsibility;  1397
       (2) Obtaining a motor vehicle liability policy or other  1398
form of proof of financial responsibility and subsequently  1399
providing proof of financial responsibility;  1400
       (3) Verifying that the person who received the request  1401
does not have legal title or right of possession to the motor  1402
vehicle that is the subject of the request;  1403
       (4) Verifying that proof of financial responsibility was  1404
not in effect for the motor vehicle on the date in question for  1405
one of the reasons specified in division (L)(1)(b) of section  1406
4509.101 of the Revised Code.  1407
       (B) If a person fails to respond to the notice sent under  1408
H. B. No. 678  Page 49
As Introduced
division (A) of this section within the time frame established  1409
by the registrar under rules adopted under section 4509.434 of  1410
the Revised Code, that failure may result in the suspension of  1411
the person's driver's license or impoundment of the person's  1412
certificate of registration and license plates and the  1413
imposition of reinstatement fees and other monetary penalties in  1414
accordance with an order issued under section 4509.434 of the  1415
Revised Code.  1416
       Sec. 4509.434. (A) The registrar of motor vehicles shall  1417
adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code  1418
that do all of the following:  1419
       (1) Establish procedures for issuing and responding to a  1420
notice under section 4509.433 of the Revised Code, including all  1421
of the following:  1422
       (a) The information to be included in the notice,  1423
including a warning that failure to respond may result in the  1424
suspension of the person's driver's license, impoundment of the  1425
person's certificate of registration and license plates, and the  1426
imposition of reinstatement fees and other monetary penalties;  1427
       (b) The manner, timing, and number of notices that shall  1428
be sent to a person identified as not having proof of financial  1429
responsibility for a motor vehicle owned or leased by that  1430
person;  1431
       (c) The entity responsible for sending the notices.  1432
       (2) Establish procedures for verifying proof of financial  1433
responsibility, sale or disposition of the motor vehicle that is  1434
the subject of a notice, evidence that proof of financial  1435
responsibility was reasonably excused for the motor vehicle that  1436
is the subject of the notice and on the date in question in  1437
H. B. No. 678  Page 50
As Introduced
accordance with division (L)(1)(b) of section 4509.101 of the  1438
Revised Code, or that the notice is in any manner invalid. The  1439
rules shall authorize such verification either through  1440
electronic means, by mail, or at the office of a deputy  1441
registrar.  1442
       (3) Establish procedures for the registrar to issue an  1443
order imposing the civil penalties required under division (A)  1444
(2) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code if a person fails to  1445
respond within the time frame established by rule after any  1446
final notice is sent under section 4509.433 of the Revised Code;  1447
       (4) Establish procedures for a person adversely affected  1448
by an order issued under division (A)(3) of this section to  1449
request an administrative hearing before the registrar;  1450
       (5) Establish procedures and requirements for implementing  1451
division (B) of section 4509.432 of the Revised Code;  1452
       (6) Establish any other procedures and requirements  1453
necessary to administer and implement sections 4509.43 to  1454
4509.434 of the Revised Code.  1455
       (B) The registrar shall terminate an order of suspension  1456
and impoundment issued under division (A)(2) of section 4509.101  1457
of the Revised Code and rules adopted under this section and  1458
restore operating and motor vehicle registration privileges of a  1459
person if both of the following apply:  1460
       (1) The registrar issued the order under this section  1461
because the person failed to respond within the time frame  1462
established by rule after any final notice was sent under  1463
section 4509.433 of the Revised Code.  1464
       (2) The registrar or a deputy registrar determines that  1465
the person was in compliance with division (A)(1) of section  1466
H. B. No. 678  Page 51
As Introduced
4509.101 of the Revised Code within the time frame established  1467
by rule after any final notice was sent under section 4509.433  1468
of the Revised Code.  1469
       If division (B) of this section applies to a person, the  1470
person is not required to continuously file proof of financial  1471
responsibility or pay the fees established in divisions (A)(5)  1472
(a) and (b) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code.  1473
       (C) Any suspensions or impoundment of certificates of  1474
registration and license plates imposed in accordance with this  1475
section shall include a distinctive designation on the records  1476
of the bureau of motor vehicles and the registrar and on the  1477
records transmitted by the registrar to the law enforcement  1478
automated data system.  1479
       (D) Notwithstanding any provision of section 121.95 of the  1480
Revised Code to the contrary, a regulatory restriction contained  1481
in a rule adopted under this section is not subject to sections  1482
121.95 to 121.953 of the Revised Code.  1483
       Sec. 4509.66. Whenever any proof of financial  1484
responsibility filed under sections 4509.01 to 4509.78,  1485
inclusive, of the Revised Code, no longer fulfills the purposes  1486
for which required, the registrar of motor vehicles shall  1487
require other proof and shall suspend the license and motor  1488
vehicle registration or the nonresident's operating privilege  1489
pending the filing of such other proof.  1490
       Sec. 4509.67. (A) The registrar of motor vehicles shall,  1491
upon request, consent to the immediate cancellation of any bond  1492
or certificate of insurance, return to the person entitled any  1493
money deposited under sections 4509.01 to 4509.78 of the Revised  1494
Code, as proof of financial responsibility, or waive the  1495
H. B. No. 678  Page 52
As Introduced
requirement of filing proof, in any of the following events:  1496
       (1) At any time after one year from the date such proof  1497
was required when, during the one year preceding the request,  1498
the registrar has not received record of a conviction or bail  1499
forfeiture which would require or permit the suspension or  1500
revocation of the license, motor vehicle registration, or  1501
nonresident's operating privilege of the person by or for whom  1502
such proof was furnished;  1503
       (2) In the event of the death of the person on whose  1504
behalf such proof was filed or the permanent incapacity of such  1505
person to operate a motor vehicle;  1506
       (3) In the event the person who has given proof surrenders  1507
the person's license and motor vehicle registration to the  1508
registrar.  1509
       (B) The registrar shall not consent to the cancellation of  1510
any bond or the return of any money if any action for damages  1511
upon a liability covered by such proof is pending, or any  1512
judgment upon any such liability is unsatisfied, or in the event  1513
the person who has filed such bond or deposited such money has  1514
within two years immediately preceding such request been  1515
involved as a driver or owner in any motor vehicle accident  1516
resulting in injury to the person or property of others. An  1517
affidavit of the applicant as to the nonexistence of such facts,  1518
or that the applicant has been released from all liability, or  1519
has been finally adjudicated not liable, for such injury may be  1520
accepted as evidence thereof in the absence of evidence to the  1521
contrary in the records of the registrar.  1522
       (C) Whenever any person whose proof has been canceled or  1523
returned under division (A)(3) of this section applies for a  1524
H. B. No. 678  Page 53
As Introduced
license or motor vehicle registration within a period of one  1525
year from the date proof was originally required, any such  1526
application shall be refused unless the applicant re-establishes  1527
proof of financial responsibility for the remainder of the one-  1528
year period.  1529
       Sec. 4509.69. Any person whose license or motor vehicle  1530
registration has been suspended, or whose policy of insurance or  1531
bond has been canceled or terminated, or who neglects to furnish  1532
other proof of financial responsibility upon request of the  1533
registrar of motor vehicles, shall immediately return the  1534
person's license, certificate of registration, and license  1535
plates to the registrar.  1536
       Sec. 4509.77. (A) No person shall willfully fail to return  1537
a license, certificate of registration, or license plates as  1538
required in section 4509.69 of the Revised Code.  1539
       (B) Whoever violates this section shall be fined not more  1540
than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than thirty  1541
days, or both.  1542
       Section 2. That existing sections 4503.10, 4503.102,  1543
4503.20, 4507.212, 4509.101, 4509.66, 4509.67, 4509.69, and  1544
4509.77 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.  1545
       Section 3. (A) The Registrar of Motor Vehicles shall not  1546
make the online financial verification system established under  1547
sections 4509.43 to 4509.434 of the Revised Code operational for  1548
the nine-month period immediately after the effective date of  1549
this section. Beginning nine months after the effective date of  1550
this section, the Registrar shall implement the system as a  1551
pilot program for a period of nine months. During the pilot  1552
program, all of the following apply:  1553
H. B. No. 678  Page 54
As Introduced
       (1) The Registrar shall work with any third party creator  1554
or developer, if applicable, and insurers to discover and  1555
correct any technological challenges, problems, or delays in the  1556
system.  1557
       (2) The Registrar shall work with law enforcement agencies  1558
and courts to discover and correct any technological problems  1559
and problems with access to the system's data.  1560
       (3) No person shall be penalized for failure to provide  1561
proof of financial responsibility solely based on data provided  1562
by the system.  1563
       (B) At the conclusion of the nine-month pilot program, the  1564
online financial responsibility verification system shall be  1565
fully operational. Beginning on the day after the pilot program  1566
terminates, a person may be penalized in accordance with  1567
applicable law for failure to provide proof of financial  1568
responsibility based on data provided by the system.  1569
       (C) Not later than two years after the effective date of  1570
this section, the Registrar shall submit a report regarding the  1571
online financial responsibility verification system to the  1572
General Assembly. The report shall specify the costs of the  1573
system for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, any ongoing challenges  1574
in implementing and administering the system, the benefits of  1575
the system, and the effectiveness of the system in reducing the  1576
number of uninsured motor vehicles in this state.  1577