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Senator Manning presents bill to create optional 'blackout' license plate with fee proposed for Highway Safety Fund
Summary
Senator Manning testified on SB 358 to authorize an optional 'blackout' specialty plate, proposing an additional $20 plus a $10 administrative fee with proceeds to the Highway Safety Fund; members asked for comparables from other states and discussed pricing options.
Senator Manning told the Senate Transportation Committee that Senate Bill 358 would create an optional 'blackout' license plate for Ohio vehicle owners and enable an additional specialty-plate option for drivers who prefer a darker, streamlined plate appearance.
"It's a clean, aesthetic look for a license plate," Manning said, describing public interest and examples from other states. He said the plate would keep county identification and registration information but provide a different visual style. Manning told members the plate would carry an additional $20 fee plus a $10 administrative fee, and that revenues from the option would go to the Highway Safety Fund.
Members asked whether the blackout option could be combined with other specialty or organizational plates and raised questions about appropriate pricing. One member noted that Texas charges $100 for a specialty plate and has had difficulty selling some plates; Manning and others cited Indiana as a recent example of strong demand. Ranking Member Antonio suggested asking the Legislative Service Commission to compile a comparison of fees and experiences in other states so the committee can set an appropriate initial fee.
Manning said he would work with LSC and the Department of Public Safety to gather comparable data for the committee. The committee concluded the sponsor testimony and did not vote on SB 358 during the session.
