(A) The Ohio history connection , in addition to its other public functions, shall cooperate with the Ohio African-American hall of fame governing board established in section 149.306 of the Revised Code to establish the Ohio African-American hall of fame.

(B) The purpose of the hall of fame shall be to provide recognition to African-Americans who have made significant contributions to the state. The governing board shall select the persons to be inducted into the hall of fame and conduct an annual induction ceremony in the city of Columbus.

(C)

(1) Portraits of and biographical information regarding persons inducted into the hall of fame shall initially be housed and displayed in an appropriate space located within the Ohio historical center in Columbus, Ohio. The Ohio history connection shall consult with the governing board regarding the manner and location in which the portraits and biographical information shall be housed and displayed.

(2) Central state university also shall serve as a repository of information regarding persons inducted into the hall of fame. The university shall consult with the governing board regarding the manner and location in which the information shall be housed and displayed.

(D) The Ohio history connection and the governing board shall cooperate in the selection of a permanent hall of fame site. Before any real property is acquired or accepted for that purpose, they shall consult with the governing board on the design, plans, and specifications for the construction or modification of any buildings or other visitation facilities for the hall of fame. The Ohio history connection, in cooperation and consultation with the governing board, shall establish an acquisition policy for the hall of fame.

(E) There is hereby created the African-American hall of fame fund, which shall be in the custody of the treasurer of state but shall not be part of the state treasury. All donations of money, grants, and other assistance received for purposes of the hall of fame shall be deposited into the fund. Money in the fund shall be used for the expenses of the Ohio history connection incurred in the performance of its duties under this section and for the expenses of the hall of fame, including the reimbursement of members of the governing board. The treasurer of state shall invest any portion of the fund not needed for immediate use in the same manner as, and subject to all provisions of law with respect to the investment of, state funds. The treasurer of state shall disburse money from the fund on order of the Ohio history connection.

(F) After the Ohio history connection and governing board select a permanent site for the hall of fame, they shall establish a private, nonprofit organization that shall acquire title to, operate, and maintain the hall of fame. The Ohio history connection shall operate and maintain the hall of fame until the hall of fame and its contents are conveyed to the private, nonprofit organization.

The Ohio history connection may accept donations of historical items and artifacts for placement in the hall of fame and shall house those items and artifacts at the Ohio historical center in Columbus, Ohio. After a permanent hall of fame site is selected, the Ohio history connection shall cooperate with the private, nonprofit organization to loan those items and artifacts for interpretive purposes of the hall of fame.

Any historical items or artifacts donated to the private, nonprofit organization for placement in the hall of fame shall remain the property of the hall of fame as part of its permanent collection.

(G) Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 141, §1, eff. 9/29/2015.

Effective Date: 12-30-2004 .