Executive Summary:
Ohio House Bill No. 70 proposes to amend several sections of the Ohio Revised Code and enact new sections (4503.183 and 4505.072) to specifically address “replica motor vehicles.” The bill defines a replica motor vehicle as one constructed or modified to replicate a vehicle at least 25 years old. It outlines specific procedures for titling and registering these vehicles, imposing limitations on their general use while allowing operation for specific purposes like exhibitions and maintenance. The bill also exempts properly registered and titled replica motor vehicles from certain equipment and emission standards enacted after the model year they replicate.
Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
- Definition of “Replica Motor Vehicle”:
- The bill formally defines a “replica motor vehicle” as “a motor vehicle that is constructed, assembled, or modified so as to replicate the make, model, and model year of a motor vehicle that is at least twenty-five years old.” (Section 4501.01 (JJJ)) This definition is crucial as it sets the scope for the new regulations.
- Limited Use for Registered Replica Motor Vehicles:
- The proposed Section 4503.183(A) explicitly states, “No person shall use a replica motor vehicle for general transportation.”
- However, it permits operation for specific purposes:
- “For club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses;” (Section 4503.183(A)(1))
- “To and from a location where maintenance is performed on the replica motor vehicle.” (Section 4503.183(A)(2))
- Owners applying for registration will need to execute an affidavit confirming the vehicle will be used solely for these limited purposes and has been inspected for safety. (Section 4503.183(C))
- Specific Registration and Licensing for Replicas:
- A new license fee of ten dollars is proposed for the registration of replica motor vehicles, in lieu of standard annual license taxes. This fee will go to the public safety – highway purposes fund. (Section 4503.183(B))
- Owners will receive a special “replica license plate” that will not display a date but will have the inscription “Replica Motor Vehicle–Ohio” and an assigned registration number. (Section 4503.183(D))
- Replica license plates are valid indefinitely for the originally registered vehicle and can be transferred to another replica vehicle owned by the same person, provided they comply with the affidavit requirement again. (Section 4503.183(E))
- Titling Requirements for Replica Motor Vehicles:
- A new Section 4505.072 outlines a specific process for obtaining a certificate of title indicating a vehicle is a replica. This includes:
- Inspection by the State Highway Patrol and obtaining an inspection report. (Section 4505.072(A)(1))
- A signed and notarized written statement from an expert in historical motor vehicles confirming the replication’s reasonable accuracy. (Section 4505.072(A)(2)-(3))
- The certificate of title for a replica will:
- Be in the same form as the original title. (Section 4505.072(D)(1)(a))
- Display the word “REPLICA” in black boldface letters. (Section 4505.072(D)(1)(b))
- Include the make, model, and model year being replicated. (Section 4505.072(D)(1)(c))
- Include the year the replica was constructed, assembled, or modified. (Section 4505.072(D)(1)(d))
- The bill clarifies that owners who title their vehicle as a replica must obtain replica license plates and comply with the limited use provisions. Owners who choose not to title their vehicle as a replica are subject to standard registration, titling, and equipment requirements. (Section 4505.072(E))
- Exemption from Modern Equipment and Emission Standards:
- The bill amends Sections 4513.071, 4513.38, and 4513.41 to provide exemptions for properly registered and titled replica motor vehicles.
- Regarding stop lights, a replica vehicle replicating a vehicle not originally manufactured with stop lights is not subject to the stop light requirements. (Section 4513.071(A))
- Owners and operators of replica motor vehicles are not prohibited from owning, operating, or displaying design features or equipment that were legal during the calendar year the replicated vehicle was manufactured. They are also not required to comply with equipment provisions enacted after that year. (Section 4513.38(A))
- Similarly, replica motor vehicles are exempt from emission, noise control, and fuel usage provisions enacted or adopted after the calendar year the replicated vehicle was manufactured. (Section 4513.41(A)-(B))
- The definition of “replica motor vehicle” in these sections explicitly refers to vehicles for which a certificate of title is issued under the new Section 4505.072. (Sections 4513.071(C), 4513.38(B), 4513.41(D))
- Technical Amendments to Definitions:
- Section 4501.01 is amended to include the new definition of “replica motor vehicle” within the general definitions used throughout various motor vehicle-related chapters of the Revised Code.
- Effective Date:
- Sections 1 and 2 of the act will take effect one hundred eighty days after the effective date of the section establishing the overall act’s effective date. (Section 3)
Quotes from the Original Source:
- Definition: “Replica motor vehicle’ means a motor vehicle that is constructed, assembled, or modified so as to replicate the make, model, and model year of a motor vehicle that is at least twenty-five years old.” (Section 4501.01 (JJJ))
- Limited Use: “No person shall use a replica motor vehicle for general transportation. However, a person may operate a replica motor vehicle registered under this section on the public roads and highways as follows: (1) For club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses; (2) To and from a location where maintenance is performed on the replica motor vehicle.” (Section 4503.183(A))
- Replica License Plate: “A replica license plate shall not display a date, but shall display the inscription ‘Replica Motor Vehicle–Ohio’ and the registration number assigned to that replica motor vehicle.” (Section 4503.183(D))
- Titling Requirement: “The owner of a motor vehicle seeking to obtain a certificate of title indicating that the motor vehicle is a replica motor vehicle shall do all of the following: (1) Have that motor vehicle inspected by the state highway patrol… (2) Obtain a signed written statement from a person or nonprofit corporation with expertise in historical motor vehicles that the owner’s motor vehicle reasonably replicates the make, model, and model year of motor vehicle that the owner is intending to replicate; (3) Sign the written statement and have it notarized by a notary public.” (Section 4505.072(A))
- Title Appearance: “It displays the word ‘REPLICA’ in black boldface letters on its face.” (Section 4505.072(D)(1)(b))
- Equipment Exemption: “…a replica motor vehicle that replicates a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured with stop lights is not subject to this section.” (Regarding stop lights – Section 4513.071(A))
- Overall Exemption: “No owner of a licensed collector’s vehicle, a historical motor vehicle, a replica motor vehicle… shall be required to comply with an emission, noise control, or fuel usage provision contained in a law or rule of this state or its political subdivisions that was enacted or adopted subsequent to the calendar year in which the vehicle was manufactured or the calendar year that it replicates.” (Section 4513.41(A))
Potential Implications:
- Clarity for Owners: The bill provides a clear legal framework for the registration, titling, and use of replica motor vehicles, which may have previously fallen into ambiguous categories.
- Limited Road Use: The restriction on general transportation may impact how owners can utilize their replica vehicles.
- Specialized Expertise: The requirement for expert verification during the titling process emphasizes the need for accurate replication.
- Financial Impact: The dedicated license fee and the potential impact on insurance and resale value warrant consideration.
- Enforcement: Law enforcement will need to be aware of the specific regulations and the appearance of replica license plates and titles.
- Historical Vehicle Community: The bill could be viewed favorably by enthusiasts who build or own replica classic cars, as it offers a pathway for legal operation for specific purposes while acknowledging their historical design.
Next Steps:
This briefing document summarizes House Bill No. 70 as introduced. Further analysis will be required as the bill progresses through the legislative process, including any amendments, committee hearings, and potential impacts on related industries and stakeholders.