(A) There is hereby established a fund for the marketing program that is established by the propane council under this chapter. The fund shall be in the custody of the treasurer of state, but shall not be part of the state treasury. Except as authorized in division (B) of this section, all money collected pursuant to section 936.08 of the Revised Code for the marketing program shall be paid into the fund for the marketing program and shall be disbursed only pursuant to a voucher signed by the chairperson of the council for use in defraying the costs of administration of the marketing program and for carrying out sections 936.03 and 936.11 of the Revised Code.

(B) In lieu of deposits in the fund established under division (A) of this section, the propane council may deposit all money collected pursuant to section 936.08 of the Revised Code with a bank as defined in section 1101.01 of the Revised Code. All money collected pursuant to section 936.08 of the Revised Code for the marketing program and deposited pursuant to this division also shall be used only in defraying the costs of administration of the marketing program and for carrying out sections 936.03 and 936.11 of the Revised Code.

(C) The council shall establish a fiscal year for its marketing program, shall publish an activity and financial report within sixty days of the end of each fiscal year, and shall make the report available to each retailer who pays an assessment or otherwise contributes to the marketing program that the council administers and to other interested persons.

(D) In addition to the report required by division (C) of this section, if the council deposits money in accordance with division (B) of this section, the council shall annually submit a financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant holding valid certification from the Ohio board of accountancy issued pursuant to Chapter 4701. of the Revised Code to the department of agriculture. The council shall file the financial statement with the department not more than one hundred fifty days after the end of each fiscal year.

(E) The council shall use money in the fund or deposited in a bank to promote the common good, welfare, and advancement of the propane industry, including, but not limited to, all of the following activities and programs:

(1) Education;

(2) Training;

(3) Safety compliance;

(4) Advertising;

(5) Promotion;

(6) Customer rebates to encourage energy efficient appliance and equipment purchases by residential, commercial, or agricultural customers.

Added by 133rd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 166, §101.01, eff. 10/17/2019.