SB 228 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Create the Lifetown license plate

SB 228 creates a new specialty license plate option in Ohio designated as the "Lifetown" plate. This bill amends state law to allow drivers to choose this specific plate design when renewing or purchasing license plates. The plate would display the "Lifetown" designation, directly affecting Ohio drivers who select this specialty plate. It is a procedural change to the state's license plate program, not a new policy with broader regulatory impact.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jul 1, 2025 Last action Feb 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the Senate · 7 edits · Feb 11, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add numerous new specialty license plate programs and expand existing ones, significantly increasing the number of organizations and causes that can receive funds from license plate contributions. The Senate version includes many more specific recipients, particularly for scholarships, healthcare, education, and community organizations, while removing some previous language about abortion-related restrictions. The bill also clarifies how funds are distributed and adds detailed provisions for the 'Lifetown' license plate program.

Scope change

The scope of the bill expanded substantially from 11 license plate programs to over 100 specific programs and organizations, covering a much broader range of causes including healthcare, education, scholarships, veterans support, environmental conservation, and community organizations.

FISCAL

Added numerous new license plate programs with specific funding allocations to organizations including universities, hospitals, charities, and community groups across Ohio and other states.

Reorganized the structure of the license plate contribution fund with clearer distribution requirements and added provisions for investment earnings to be distributed annually to recipients.

REQUIREMENT

Removed language prohibiting the use of funds for abortion information, counseling, services, or other abortion-related activities, which was present in the original version.

Added requirements for certain schools to ensure hired charitable organizations are exempt from federal income taxation and restrictions on using funds for political purposes.

SCOPE

Expanded the list of eligible recipients to include many new organizations such as Notre Dame, Purdue, Marshall University, various school districts, and numerous nonprofit organizations.

TECHNICAL

Added detailed provisions specifying how funds must be used, including restrictions on political purposes for some schools and requirements for equitable distribution to regional councils.

DEFINITION

Added new section 4503.537 establishing the 'Lifetown' license plate program with specific application procedures, fees, and logo requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026

How they voted

32–0

Passed

Total votes 32

Feb 12, 2026

D Democratic8

8 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican24

24 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (32-0)

senate

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Oct 1, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Jul 1, 2025

Introduced

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors