(A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the Lake Erie protection fund, which shall consist of money deposited into the fund from the issuance of Lake Erie license plates under section 4503.52 of the Revised Code, money awarded to the state from the great lakes protection fund, and donations, gifts, bequests, and other moneys received for the purposes of this section. Not later than the first day of June each year, the Ohio Lake Erie commission created in section 1506.21 of the Revised Code shall designate one of its members who represents a state agency to administer the fund and, with the approval of the commission, to expend moneys from the fund for any of the following purposes:

(1) Funding cooperative research , data gathering, or demonstration projects related to the priorities outlined in the Lake Erie protection and restoration strategy published under this section;

(2) Encouraging cooperation with and among leaders from state legislatures, state agencies, political subdivisions, business and industry, labor, institutions of higher education, agriculture, environmental organizations, and conservation groups within the Lake Erie basin;

(3) Awarding of grants to any agency of the United States, any state agency, as "agency" is defined in division (A)(2) of section 111.15 of the Revised Code, any political subdivision, any educational institution, or any nonprofit organization for the development and implementation of projects and programs that are designed to address priorities outlined in the Lake Erie protection and restoration strategy;

(4) Expenses authorized by the Ohio Lake Erie commission necessary to implement this chapter.

(B) Moneys in the Lake Erie protection fund are not intended to replace other moneys expended by any agency of the United States, any state agency, as "agency" is so defined, any political subdivision, any educational institution, or any nonprofit organization for projects and programs that are designed to protect Lake Erie .

(C) Not later than the last day of July of each odd-numbered year, the commission shall publish a Lake Erie protection and restoration strategy that describes the goals of the commission and prioritizes the uses of the Lake Erie protection fund and other funds for the following state fiscal year. The commission shall hold at least one public meeting in the Lake Erie basin regarding the strategy. The commission shall submit the strategy to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(D) Not later than September 1, 1991, and annually thereafter, the Lake Erie commission shall prepare a report of the activities that were undertaken by the commission under this section during the immediately preceding fiscal year, including, without limitation, revenues and expenses for the preceding fiscal year. The commission shall submit the report to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 2, §1, eff. 10/6/2017.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997.