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BMV late renewal fines may end after driver complaints

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By Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Bureau Updated 10:59 AM Tuesday, February 9, 2010

COLUMBUS — After hearing scores of complaints from across the state, lawmakers are looking to put the brakes on a new $20 fine for drivers who are more than a week late registering their cars or renewing their licenses.

House Bill 428 sponsored by 38 lawmakers, mostly Republicans, calls for repealing the unpopular fees, which took effect Oct. 1. The GOP bill does not offer a way to replace the projected $19 million a year the late fees are expected to generate for the Ohio Highway Patrol’s operations.

Keary McCarthy, spokesman for House Democrats, said his caucus is working on a bill that would eliminate the $20 fees but also come up with a way to replace the money so that the patrol isn’t left short.

The patrol operates on a $300 million annual budget, including $274 million generated from fees. In recent years, lawmakers decided to shift patrol funding from gas tax revenues to fee-generated money.

The license and registration late fines were among a package of fees approved in the state budget bill last year. All told, they’re expected to generate more than $45 million.

“The people of Ohio do not want to be tricked into paying for hidden fees that are passed behind the backs of taxpayers,” said state Rep. Terry Blair, R-Washington Twp., one of eight Miami Valley Republican lawmakers co-sponsoring House Bill 428.

“In effect, fees such as this are just more ways for the state to take the taxpayers’ money and continue down the dangerous path of spending and debt,” Blair said.

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, the late license renewal and vehicle registration fees generated $6.4 million. That includes $664,760 from tardy drivers and vehicle owners in Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Clark and Warren counties.

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I think that this fine is just another way for the politicians to take, take, take from the people of Ohio. It stands to reason that the working are the ones with multiple vehicles, some for summer only, some for students use. It is absolutely ludicris for us to renew all the registrations at once. If they are insistant that there be fines, how about some exceptions to the rule. I thought that the politicians were elected BY US to do what the majority of us wants. Apparently I'm wrong!!!!

Heather
5:00 PM, 3/12/2010

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I think this late fee should be open to exceptions... I sent my tag renewal in a month prior to expiration, however they never got to it b/c I was told they are 6-8 weeks behind and back logged. Why I am charged an additional $20 b/c they are short people and still taking additional money for outrageous fees!! Very disappointing!

Karen
9:35 AM, 2/24/2010

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It is not about just being late, It is, anytime they need money they just add another fee,(Without asking the people for input.) in this case it is a fee that has no exceptions. I think some people are comfortable financially, and like to flaunt the fact that they have the ability pay, and put down the people that have fixed income, and don't want to pay for tags they use only part of the year.

Jim
4:19 PM, 2/13/2010

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I would like to see this law repealed. It's not its not about trying not to register the vehicle that I normally drive. It's about not having to register my camper,boat trailer, utility trailer, classic car and spare vehicle all at the same time. I don't need some of them in the winter, just as people with snow mobile trailers don't need their plates in the middle of the summer. I also have three other vehicles my students drive so imagine the cost in a seven day period for all of that.mike

mike
6:28 PM, 2/12/2010

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If we are going to make this fee go away, rewarding drivers who are late to register or renew, let's be fair and repeal the whole package of fees?

REF
1:11 PM, 2/12/2010

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