NEWS UPDATE: VOLUNTEER License Plate Bill Passed in the Ohio House
- Wednesday, December 17, 2008

OVERVIEW:
Our initial License Plate Bill (SB 259) was first introduced (December 2007) and referred to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.

Senate Bill 259, legislation creating the new Volunteer Specialty License Plate, was an agenda item in the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee meeting March 11 and April 21. Senator Joy Padgett, our legislative sponsor, provided initial testimony. Additional testimony was given by Kitty Burcsu, Ohio Community Service Council, Janet George, City Year Columbus, and Dale Leach, Ohio District of Kiwanis International.

Senator Padgett's office requested the Volunteer License Plate Bill be drafted as an amendment and be incorporated in the License Plates & Highways Bill (House Bill 273). The Speaker of the House Jon Husted sponsored this Bill.

NEXT STEP:
The Bill is on it's way to Governor Strickland for his signature! Plates honoring Ohio's VOLUNTEERS should be available at all BMVs early spring. Stay tuned for more updates ...Thanks!

Special "Thanks" to Brady Oxender, Senator Padgett - and all members of the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives for passing this important Bill.

VOLUNTEER PLATE OVERVIEW:

The Ohio Community Service Council coordinated efforts to create an Ohio "VOLUNTEER" License Plate to help support volunteer activities throughout the state!

Thanks to over 1,000 interested volunteer supporters, the new plate is closer to becoming a reality. Before the project could even be introduced in the State Legislature, 1,000 signatures had to be obtained from volunteer supporters.

Proceeds generated from the sale of the license plates will be used for a variety of activities including:

• grants to local organizations for innovative volunteer programs;
• further development of Ohio's Citizen Corps (citizen involvement in homeland security);
• support for Make A Difference Day Ohio (the largest national day of service);
• assistance with local matching funds for AmeriCorps programs - and more!