130th Ohio General Assembly
The online versions of legislation provided on this website are not official. Enrolled bills are the final version passed by the Ohio General Assembly and presented to the Governor for signature. The official version of acts signed by the Governor are available from the Secretary of State's Office in the Continental Plaza, 180 East Broad St., Columbus.

(125th General Assembly)
(Amended Substitute House Bill Number 168)



AN ACT
To amend sections 135.143, 135.22, 135.341, 135.35, 152.17, 154.01, 154.08, 175.09, 319.302, 321.24, 321.46, 323.121, 323.31, 4503.06, 5713.20, 5719.051, 5721.10, 5721.30, 5721.31, 5721.32, 5721.33, 5721.34, 5721.37, 5721.38, 5721.39, 5721.40, and 5721.41 and to enact sections 321.47, 5721.021, and 5721.43 of the Revised Code to establish procedures for suspending the investment and portfolio management authority of a county treasurer who fails to meet the initial or continuing education requirements and transfer this authority to a county's investment advisory committee, to modify the investment authority of county treasurers, specify when penalties may be imposed on property subject to delinquent tax contracts, modify the authority of a county treasurer to compensate tax collectors of personal property taxes, authorize a county treasurer to employ tax collectors of delinquent real property taxes, modify procedures for the sale and redemption of tax certificates, prohibit certain contacts between tax certificate holders and property owners, and make other changes related to the administration of laws relating to real property, public utility property, and manufactured home taxes, to provide that bond service charges for certain state obligations may include costs related to credit enhancement facilities, and to expand the investment authority of the Treasurer of State.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

SECTION 1. That sections 135.143, 135.22, 135.341, 135.35, 152.17, 154.01, 154.08, 175.09, 319.302, 321.24, 321.46, 323.121, 323.31, 4503.06, 5713.20, 5719.051, 5721.10, 5721.30, 5721.31, 5721.32, 5721.33, 5721.34, 5721.37, 5721.38, 5721.39, 5721.40, and 5721.41 be amended and sections 321.47, 5721.021, and 5721.43 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 135.143.  (A) The treasurer of state may invest or execute transactions for any part or all of the interim funds of the state in the following classifications of obligations:

(1) United States treasury bills, notes, bonds, or any other obligations or securities issued by the United States treasury or any other obligation guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States;

(2) Bonds, notes, debentures, or any other obligations or securities issued by any federal government agency or instrumentality;

(3) Bonds and other direct obligations of the state of Ohio issued by the treasurer of state and of the Ohio public facilities commission, the Ohio building authority, and the Ohio housing finance agency;

(4)(a) Written repurchase agreements with any eligible Ohio financial institution that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank or any recognized United States government securities dealer, under the terms of which agreement the treasurer of state purchases and the eligible financial institution or dealer agrees unconditionally to repurchase any of the securities that are listed in division (A)(1), (2), or (6) of this section and that will mature or are redeemable within ten years from the date of purchase. The market value of securities subject to these transactions must exceed the principal value of the repurchase agreement by an amount specified by the treasurer of state, and the securities must be delivered into the custody of the treasurer of state or the qualified trustee or agent designated by the treasurer of state. The agreement shall contain the requirement that for each transaction pursuant to the agreement, the participating institution or dealer shall provide all of the following information:

(i) The par value of the securities;

(ii) The type, rate, and maturity date of the securities;

(iii) A numerical identifier generally accepted in the securities industry that designates the securities.

(b) The treasurer of state also may sell any securities, listed in division (A)(1), (2), or (6) of this section, regardless of maturity or time of redemption of the securities, under the same terms and conditions for repurchase, provided that the securities have been fully paid for and are owned by the treasurer of state at the time of the sale.

(5) Securities lending agreements with any eligible financial institution that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank or any recognized United States government securities dealer, under the terms of which agreements the treasurer of state lends securities and the eligible financial institution or dealer agrees to simultaneously exchange similar securities or cash, equal value for equal value.

Securities and cash received as collateral for a securities lending agreement are not interim funds of the state. The investment of cash collateral received pursuant to a securities lending agreement may be invested only in such instruments specified by the treasurer of state in accordance with a written investment policy.

(6) Various forms of commercial paper issued by any corporation that is incorporated under the laws of the United States or a state, which notes are rated at the time of purchase in the two highest categories by two nationally recognized rating agencies, provided that the total amount invested under this section in any commercial paper at any time shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the state's total average portfolio, as determined and calculated by the treasurer of state;

(7) Bankers acceptances, maturing in two hundred seventy days or less, which are eligible for purchase by the federal reserve system, provided that the total amount invested in bankers acceptances at any time shall not exceed ten per cent of the state's total average portfolio, as determined and calculated by the treasurer of state;

(8) Certificates of deposit in eligible institutions applying for interim moneys as provided in section 135.08 of the Revised Code, including linked deposits as provided in sections 135.61 to 135.67 of the Revised Code, agricultural linked deposits as provided in sections 135.71 to 135.76 of the Revised Code, and housing linked deposits as provided in sections 135.81 to 135.87 of the Revised Code;

(9) The state treasurer's investment pool authorized under section 135.45 of the Revised Code;

(10) Debt interests, other than commercial paper described in division (A)(6) of this section, rated at the time of purchase in the three highest categories by two nationally recognized rating agencies and issued by corporations that are incorporated under the laws of the United States or a state, or issued by foreign nations diplomatically recognized by the United States government, or any instrument based on, derived from, or related to such interests. All interest and principal shall be denominated and payable in United States funds. The investments made under division (A)(10) of this section shall not exceed in the aggregate twenty-five per cent of the state's total average portfolio, as determined and calculated by the treasurer of state. The investments made under division (A)(10) of this section in debt interests issued by foreign nations shall not exceed in the aggregate one per cent of the state's total average portfolio, as determined and calculated by the treasurer of state. The investments made under division (A)(10) of this section in the debt interests of a single issuer shall not exceed in the aggregate one-half of one per cent of the state's total average portfolio, as determined and calculated by the treasurer of state.

The treasurer of state shall invest under division (A)(10) of this section in a debt interest issued by a foreign nation only if the debt interest is backed by the full faith and credit of that foreign nation. For purposes of division (A)(10) of this section, a debt interest is rated in the three highest categories by two nationally recognized rating agencies if either the debt interest itself or the issuer of the debt interest is rated, or is implicitly rated, at the time of purchase in the three highest categories by two nationally recognized rating agencies.

(11) No-load money market mutual funds consisting exclusively of obligations described in division (A)(1), (2), or (6) of this section and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations.

(12) Obligations of a board of education issued under authority of section 133.10 or 133.301 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whenever, during a period of designation, the treasurer of state classifies public moneys as interim moneys, the treasurer of state shall notify the state board of deposit of such action. The notification shall be given within thirty days after such classification and, in the event the state board of deposit does not concur in such classification or in the investments or deposits made under this section, the board may order the treasurer of state to sell or liquidate any of the investments or deposits, and any such order shall specifically describe the investments or deposits and fix the date upon which they are to be sold or liquidated. Investments or deposits so ordered to be sold or liquidated shall be sold or liquidated for cash by the treasurer of state on the date fixed in such order at the then current market price. Neither the treasurer of state nor the members of the state board of deposit shall be held accountable for any loss occasioned by sales or liquidations of investments or deposits at prices lower than their cost. Any loss or expense incurred in making these sales or liquidations is payable as other expenses of the treasurer's office.

(C) If any securities or obligations invested in by the treasurer of state pursuant to this section are registrable either as to principal or interest, or both, such securities or obligations shall be registered in the name of the treasurer of state.

(D) The treasurer of state is responsible for the safekeeping of all securities or obligations under this section. Any such securities or obligations may be deposited for safekeeping as provided in section 113.05 of the Revised Code.

(E) Interest earned on any investments or deposits authorized by this section shall be collected by the treasurer of state and credited by the treasurer of state to the proper fund of the state.

(F) Whenever investments or deposits acquired under this section mature and become due and payable, the treasurer of state shall present them for payment according to their tenor, and shall collect the moneys payable thereon. The moneys so collected shall be treated as public moneys subject to sections 135.01 to 135.21 of the Revised Code.

(G) The treasurer of state and any board of education issuing obligations referred to in division (A)(12) of this section may enter into an agreement providing for:

(1) The purchase of those obligations by the treasurer of state on terms and subject to conditions set forth in the agreement;

(2) The payment by the board of education to the treasurer of state of a reasonable fee as consideration for the agreement of the treasurer of state to purchase those obligations; provided, however, that the treasurer of state shall not be authorized to enter into any such agreement with the board of education of a school district that has an outstanding obligation with respect to a loan received under authority of section 3313.483 of the Revised Code.

(H) For purposes of division (G) of this section, a fee shall not be considered reasonable unless it is set to recover only the direct costs and a reasonable estimate of the indirect costs associated with the purchasing of obligations of a school board under division (G) of this section and any reselling of the obligations or any interest in the obligations, including interests in a fund comprised of the obligations. No money from the general revenue fund shall be used to subsidize the purchase or resale of these obligations.

(I) All money collected by the treasurer of state from the fee imposed by division (G) of this section shall be deposited to the credit of the state school board obligations fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. Money credited to the fund shall be used solely to pay the treasurer of state's direct and indirect costs associated with purchasing and reselling obligations of a board of education under division (G) of this section.

Sec. 135.22.  (A) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Treasurer" has the same meaning as in section 135.01 of the Revised Code, but does not include a county treasurer or the treasurer of state. "Treasurer" includes any person whose duties include making investment decisions with respect to the investment or deposit of interim moneys.

(2) "Subdivision" has the same meaning as in section 135.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) To enhance the background and working knowledge of treasurers in investments, cash management, and ethics, the treasurer of state shall provide annual continuing education programs for treasurers. A treasurer annually shall complete the continuing education programs described in this section, unless the treasurer annually provides a notice of exemption described in division (E) of this section.

(C) The treasurer of state shall determine the manner, content, and length of the continuing education programs after consultation with appropriate statewide organizations of local government officials.

(D) Upon successful completion of a continuing education program required by this section, the treasurer of state shall issue a certificate indicating that the treasurer has successfully completed the continuing education program prescribed by the treasurer of state. The treasurer of state shall forward to the auditor of state any certificates issued pursuant to this division by the treasurer of state. The auditor of state shall maintain in the auditor's records any certificates forwarded by the treasurer of state pursuant to this division. As part of the auditor of state's audit of the subdivision conducted in accordance with section 117.11 of the Revised Code, the auditor of state shall report whether the treasurer is in compliance with this section of the Revised Code.

(E) Division (B) of this section does not apply to any treasurer who annually provides a notice of exemption to the auditor of state. The notice shall be certified by the treasurer of state and shall provide that the treasurer is not subject to the continuing education requirements set forth in division (B) of this section, because the treasurer invests or deposits public moneys in the following investments only:

(1) Interim deposits pursuant to division (B)(3) of section 135.14 of the Revised Code;

(2) No-load money market mutual funds pursuant to division (B)(5) of section 135.14 of the Revised Code;

(3) The Ohio subdivision's fund pursuant to division (B)(6) of section 135.14 of the Revised Code.

(F) In carrying out the duties required by this section, the treasurer of state may charge the subdivision served by the treasurer a registration fee that will meet actual and necessary expenses in connection with the training of the treasurer, including instruction fees, site acquisition costs, and the cost of course materials. Any necessary personal expenses of a treasurer incurred as a result of attending the continuing education courses shall be borne by the subdivision represented by the treasurer.

(G) The treasurer of state may allow any other interested person to attend any of the continuing education programs that are held pursuant to this section, provided that before attending any such continuing education program, the interested person has paid to the treasurer of state the full registration fee set for the continuing education program.

(H) All funds collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the county treasurer education fund created pursuant to section 321.46 of the Revised Code, and the actual and necessary expenses of the treasurer of state in conducting the continuing education programs required by this section shall be paid from this fund.

(I) The treasurer of state may adopt reasonable rules not inconsistent with this section for the implementation of this section.

Sec. 135.341.  (A) There shall be a county investment advisory committee consisting of three members: two county commissioners to be designated by the board of county commissioners, and the county treasurer.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the board of county commissioners may declare that all three county commissioners shall serve on the county investment advisory committee. If the board so declares, the county investment advisory committee shall consist of five members: the three county commissioners, the county treasurer, and the clerk of the court of common pleas of the county.

(B) The committee shall elect its own chairperson, and committee members shall receive no additional compensation for the performance of their duties as committee members.

(C) The committee shall establish written county investment policies and shall meet at least once every three months, to review or revise its policies and to advise the investing authority on the county investments in order to ensure the best and safest return of funds available to the county for deposit or investment. Any member of the county investment advisory committee, upon giving five days' notice, may call a meeting of the committee. The committee's policies may establish a limit on the period of time that moneys may be invested in any particular type of investment.

(D) The committee is authorized to retain the services of an investment advisor, provided that the advisor is licensed by the division of securities under section 1707.141 of the Revised Code or is registered with the securities and exchange commission, and possesses public funds investment management experience, specifically in the area of state and local government investment portfolios, or the advisor is an eligible institution mentioned in section 135.03 of the Revised Code.

(E) The committee shall act as the investing authority in place of the treasurer for purposes of investing county funds and managing the county portfolio when this authority is transferred to it pursuant to divisions (E)(1) and (F)(2) of section 321.46 of the Revised Code or when ordered to do so by a court pursuant to section 321.47 of the Revised Code. For these purposes, the committee shall retain the services of an investment advisor described in division (D) of this section.

(F) Nothing in this section affects the authority of any of the officers mentioned in section 325.27 of the Revised Code to contract for the services of fiscal and management consultants pursuant to section 325.17 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 135.35.  (A) The investing authority shall deposit or invest any part or all of the county's inactive moneys and shall invest all of the money in the county library and local government support fund when required by section 135.352 of the Revised Code. The following classifications of securities and obligations are eligible for such deposit or investment:

(1) United States treasury bills, notes, bonds, or any other obligation or security issued by the United States treasury or, any other obligation guaranteed as to principal or interest by the United States, or any book entry, zero-coupon United States treasury security that is a direct obligation of the United States.

Nothing in the classification of eligible securities and obligations set forth in division (A)(1) of this section or in the classifications of eligible securities and obligations set forth in divisions (A)(2) to (8)(11) of this section shall be construed to authorize any investment in stripped principal or interest obligations of such eligible securities and obligations.

(2) Bonds, notes, debentures, or any other obligations or securities issued by any federal government agency or instrumentality, including but not limited to, the federal national mortgage association, federal home loan bank, federal farm credit bank, federal home loan mortgage corporation, government national mortgage association, and student loan marketing association. All federal agency securities shall be direct issuances of federal government agencies or instrumentalities.

(3) Time certificates of deposit or savings or deposit accounts, including, but not limited to, passbook accounts, in any eligible institution mentioned in section 135.32 of the Revised Code;

(4) Bonds and other obligations of this state or the political subdivisions of this state, provided that such political subdivisions are located wholly or partly within the same county as the investing authority;

(5) No-load money market mutual funds consisting exclusively of obligations described in division (A)(1) or (2) of this section and repurchase agreements secured by such obligations, provided that investments in securities described in this division are made only through eligible institutions mentioned in section 135.32 of the Revised Code;

(6) The Ohio subdivision's fund as provided in section 135.45 of the Revised Code;

(7) Securities lending agreements with any eligible institution mentioned in section 135.32 of the Revised Code that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank or with any recognized United States government securities dealer meeting the description in division (J)(1) of this section, under the terms of which agreements the investing authority lends securities and the eligible institution or dealer agrees to simultaneously exchange similar securities or cash, equal value for equal value.

Securities and cash received as collateral for a securities lending agreement are not inactive moneys of the county or moneys of a county library and local government support fund. The investment of cash collateral received pursuant to a securities lending agreement may be invested only in instruments specified by the investing authority in the written investment policy described in division (K) of this section.

(8) Up to twenty-five per cent of the county's total average portfolio in either of the following investments:

(a) Commercial paper notes issued by an entity that is defined in division (D) of section 1705.01 of the Revised Code and that has assets exceeding five hundred million dollars, to which notes all of the following apply:

(i) The notes are rated at the time of purchase in the highest classification established by at least two nationally recognized standard rating services.

(ii) The aggregate value of the notes does not exceed ten per cent of the aggregate value of the outstanding commercial paper of the issuing corporation.

(iii) The notes mature not later than one two hundred eighty seventy days after purchase.

(b) Bankers acceptances of banks that are insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation and to which both of the following apply:

(i) The obligations are eligible for purchase by the federal reserve system.

(ii) The obligations mature not later than one hundred eighty days after purchase.

No investment shall be made pursuant to division (A)(8) of this section unless the investing authority has completed additional training for making the investments authorized by division (A)(8) of this section. The type and amount of additional training shall be approved by the auditor of state and may be conducted by or provided under the supervision of the auditor of state.

(9) Up to fifteen per cent of the county's total average portfolio in notes issued by corporations that are incorporated under the laws of the United States and that are operating within the United States, or by depository institutions that are doing business under authority granted by the United States or any state and that are operating within the United States, provided both of the following apply:

(a) The notes are rated in the second highest or higher category by at least two nationally recognized standard rating services at the time of purchase.

(b) The notes mature not later than two years after purchase.

(10) No-load money market mutual funds rated in the highest category at the time of purchase by at least one nationally recognized standard rating service and consisting exclusively of obligations described in division (A)(1), (2), or (6) of section 135.143 of the Revised Code;

(11) Debt interests rated at the time of purchase in the three highest categories by two nationally recognized standard rating services and issued by foreign nations diplomatically recognized by the United States government. All interest and principal shall be denominated and payable in United States funds. The investments made under division (A)(11) of this section shall not exceed in the aggregate one per cent of a county's total average portfolio.

The investing authority shall invest under division (A)(11) of this section in a debt interest issued by a foreign nation only if the debt interest is backed by the full faith and credit of that foreign nation, there is no prior history of default, and the debt interest matures not later than five years after purchase. For purposes of division (A)(11) of this section, a debt interest is rated in the three highest categories by two nationally recognized standard rating services if either the debt interest itself or the issuer of the debt interest is rated, or is implicitly rated, at the time of purchase in the three highest categories by two nationally recognized standard rating services.

(B) Nothing in the classifications of eligible obligations and securities set forth in divisions (A)(1) to (8)(11) of this section shall be construed to authorize investment in a derivative, and no investing authority shall invest any county inactive moneys or any moneys in a county library and local government support fund in a derivative. For purposes of this division, "derivative" means a financial instrument or contract or obligation whose value or return is based upon or linked to another asset or index, or both, separate from the financial instrument, contract, or obligation itself. Any security, obligation, trust account, or other instrument that is created from an issue of the United States treasury or is created from an obligation of a federal agency or instrumentality or is created from both is considered a derivative instrument. An eligible investment described in this section with a variable interest rate payment, based upon a single interest payment or single index comprised of other eligible investments provided for in division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, is not a derivative, provided that such variable rate investment has a maximum maturity of two years. A treasury inflation-protected security shall not be considered a derivative, provided the security matures not later than five years after purchase.

(C) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, any investment made pursuant to this section must mature within five years from the date of settlement, unless the investment is matched to a specific obligation or debt of the county or to a specific obligation or debt of a political subdivision of this state located wholly or partly within the county, and the investment is specifically approved by the investment advisory committee.

(D) The investing authority may also enter into a written repurchase agreement with any eligible institution mentioned in section 135.32 of the Revised Code or any eligible securities dealer pursuant to division (J) of this section, under the terms of which agreement the investing authority purchases and the eligible institution or dealer agrees unconditionally to repurchase any of the securities listed in divisions (B)(1) to (5), except letters of credit described in division (B)(2), of section 135.18 of the Revised Code. The market value of securities subject to an overnight written repurchase agreement must exceed the principal value of the overnight written repurchase agreement by at least two per cent. A written repurchase agreement must exceed the principal value of the overnight written repurchase agreement, by at least two per cent. A written repurchase agreement shall not exceed thirty days, and the market value of securities subject to a written repurchase agreement must exceed the principal value of the written repurchase agreement by at least two per cent and be marked to market daily. All securities purchased pursuant to this division shall be delivered into the custody of the investing authority or the qualified custodian of the investing authority or an agent designated by the investing authority. A written repurchase agreement with an eligible securities dealer shall be transacted on a delivery versus payment basis. The agreement shall contain the requirement that for each transaction pursuant to the agreement the participating institution shall provide all of the following information:

(1) The par value of the securities;

(2) The type, rate, and maturity date of the securities;

(3) A numerical identifier generally accepted in the securities industry that designates the securities.

No investing authority shall enter into a written repurchase agreement under the terms of which the investing authority agrees to sell securities owned by the county to a purchaser and agrees with that purchaser to unconditionally repurchase those securities.

(E) No investing authority shall make an investment under this section, unless the investing authority, at the time of making the investment, reasonably expects that the investment can be held until its maturity. The investing authority's written investment policy shall specify the conditions under which an investment may be redeemed or sold prior to maturity.

(F) No investing authority shall pay a county's inactive moneys or moneys of a county library and local government support fund into a fund established by another subdivision, treasurer, governing board, or investing authority, if that fund was established by the subdivision, treasurer, governing board, or investing authority for the purpose of investing or depositing the public moneys of other subdivisions. This division does not apply to the payment of public moneys into either of the following:

(1) The Ohio subdivision's fund pursuant to division (A)(6) of this section;

(2) A fund created solely for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, owning, leasing, or operating municipal utilities pursuant to the authority provided under section 715.02 of the Revised Code or Section 4 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution.

For purposes of division (F) of this section, "subdivision" includes a county.

(G) The use of leverage, in which the county uses its current investment assets as collateral for the purpose of purchasing other assets, is prohibited. The issuance of taxable notes for the purpose of arbitrage is prohibited. Contracting to sell securities not owned by the county, for the purpose of purchasing such securities on the speculation that bond prices will decline, is prohibited.

(H) Any securities, certificates of deposit, deposit accounts, or any other documents evidencing deposits or investments made under authority of this section shall be issued in the name of the county with the county treasurer or investing authority as the designated payee. If any such deposits or investments are registrable either as to principal or interest, or both, they shall be registered in the name of the treasurer.

(I) The investing authority shall be responsible for the safekeeping of all documents evidencing a deposit or investment acquired under this section, including, but not limited to, safekeeping receipts evidencing securities deposited with a qualified trustee, as provided in section 135.37 of the Revised Code, and documents confirming the purchase of securities under any repurchase agreement under this section shall be deposited with a qualified trustee, provided, however, that the qualified trustee shall be required to report to the investing authority, auditor of state, or an authorized outside auditor at any time upon request as to the identity, market value, and location of the document evidencing each security, and that if the participating institution is a designated depository of the county for the current period of designation, the securities that are the subject of the repurchase agreement may be delivered to the treasurer or held in trust by the participating institution on behalf of the investing authority.

Upon the expiration of the term of office of an investing authority or in the event of a vacancy in the office for any reason, the officer or the officer's legal representative shall transfer and deliver to the officer's successor all documents mentioned in this division for which the officer has been responsible for safekeeping. For all such documents transferred and delivered, the officer shall be credited with, and the officer's successor shall be charged with, the amount of moneys evidenced by such documents.

(J)(1) All investments, except for investments in securities described in divisions (A)(5) and (6) of this section, shall be made only through a member of the national association of securities dealers, through a bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association regulated by the superintendent of financial institutions, or through an institution regulated by the comptroller of the currency, federal deposit insurance corporation, or board of governors of the federal reserve system.

(2) Payment for investments shall be made only upon the delivery of securities representing such investments to the treasurer, investing authority, or qualified trustee. If the securities transferred are not represented by a certificate, payment shall be made only upon receipt of confirmation of transfer from the custodian by the treasurer, governing board, or qualified trustee.

(K)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (K)(2) of this section, no investing authority shall make an investment or deposit under this section, unless there is on file with the auditor of state a written investment policy approved by the investing authority. The policy shall require that all entities conducting investment business with the investing authority shall sign the investment policy of that investing authority. All brokers, dealers, and financial institutions, described in division (J)(1) of this section, initiating transactions with the investing authority by giving advice or making investment recommendations shall sign the investing authority's investment policy thereby acknowledging their agreement to abide by the policy's contents. All brokers, dealers, and financial institutions, described in division (J)(1) of this section, executing transactions initiated by the investing authority, having read the policy's contents, shall sign the investment policy thereby acknowledging their comprehension and receipt.

(2) If a written investment policy described in division (K)(1) of this section is not filed on behalf of the county with the auditor of state, the investing authority of that county shall invest the county's inactive moneys and moneys of the county library and local government support fund only in time certificates of deposits or savings or deposit accounts pursuant to division (A)(3) of this section, no-load money market mutual funds pursuant to division (A)(5) of this section, or the Ohio subdivision's fund pursuant to division (A)(6) of this section.

(L)(1) The investing authority shall establish and maintain an inventory of all obligations and securities acquired by the investing authority pursuant to this section. The inventory shall include a description of each obligation or security, including type, cost, par value, maturity date, settlement date, and any coupon rate.

(2) The investing authority shall also keep a complete record of all purchases and sales of the obligations and securities made pursuant to this section.

(3) The investing authority shall maintain a monthly portfolio report and issue a copy of the monthly portfolio report describing such investments to the county investment advisory committee, detailing the current inventory of all obligations and securities, all transactions during the month that affected the inventory, any income received from the obligations and securities, and any investment expenses paid, and stating the names of any persons effecting transactions on behalf of the investing authority.

(4) The monthly portfolio report shall be a public record and available for inspection under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(5) The inventory and the monthly portfolio report shall be filed with the board of county commissioners.

(M) An investing authority may enter into a written investment or deposit agreement that includes a provision under which the parties agree to submit to nonbinding arbitration to settle any controversy that may arise out of the agreement, including any controversy pertaining to losses of public moneys resulting from investment or deposit. The arbitration provision shall be set forth entirely in the agreement, and the agreement shall include a conspicuous notice to the parties that any party to the arbitration may apply to the court of common pleas of the county in which the arbitration was held for an order to vacate, modify, or correct the award. Any such party may also apply to the court for an order to change venue to a court of common pleas located more than one hundred miles from the county in which the investing authority is located.

For purposes of this division, "investment or deposit agreement" means any agreement between an investing authority and a person, under which agreement the person agrees to invest, deposit, or otherwise manage, on behalf of the investing authority, a county's inactive moneys or moneys in a county library and local government support fund, or agrees to provide investment advice to the investing authority.

(N) An investment held in the county portfolio on September 27, 1996, that was a legal investment under the law as it existed before September 27, 1996, may be held until maturity, or if the investment does not have a maturity date the investment may be held until five years from September 27, 1996, regardless of whether the investment would qualify as a legal investment under the terms of this section as amended.

Sec. 152.17.  Obligations issued under Chapter 152. of the Revised Code are lawful investments for banks, insurance companies, including domestic for life and domestic not for life, savings and loan associations, deposit guaranty companies, trust companies, fiduciaries, trustees, sinking funds or bond retirement funds of municipal corporations, school districts, and counties, the commissioners treasurer of the sinking fund state, the administrator of workers' compensation, the state teachers retirement system, the public employees retirement system, the school employees retirement system, and also are acceptable as security for the deposit of public moneys.

Sec. 154.01.  As used in Chapter 154. of the Revised Code:

(A) "Commission" means the Ohio public facilities commission created in section 151.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Obligations" means bonds, notes, or other evidences of obligation, including interest coupons pertaining thereto, issued pursuant to Chapter 154. of the Revised Code.

(C) "Bond proceedings" means the order or orders, resolution or resolutions, trust agreement, indenture, lease, and other agreements, amendments and supplements to the foregoing, or any combination thereof, authorizing or providing for the terms and conditions applicable to, or providing for the security of, obligations issued pursuant to Chapter 154. of the Revised Code, and the provisions contained in such obligations.

(D) "State agencies" means the state of Ohio and officers, boards, commissions, departments, divisions, or other units or agencies of the state.

(E) "Governmental agency" means state agencies, state supported and assisted institutions of higher education, municipal corporations, counties, townships, school districts, and any other political subdivision or special district in this state established pursuant to law, and, except where otherwise indicated, also means the United States or any department, division, or agency thereof, and any agency, commission, or authority established pursuant to an interstate compact or agreement.

(F) "Institutions of higher education" and "state supported or state assisted institutions of higher education" means the state universities identified in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, the medical college of Ohio at Toledo, the northeastern Ohio universities college of medicine, state universities or colleges at any time created, community college districts, university branch districts, and technical college districts at any time established or operating under Chapter 3354., 3355., or 3357. of the Revised Code, and other institutions for education, including technical education, beyond the high school, receiving state support or assistance for their expenses of operation.

(G) "Governing body" means:

(1) In the case of institutions of higher education, the board of trustees, board of directors, commission, or other body vested by law with the general management, conduct, and control of one or more institutions of higher education;

(2) In the case of a county, the board of county commissioners or other legislative body; in the case of a municipal corporation, the council or other legislative body; in the case of a township, the board of township trustees; in the case of a school district, the board of education;

(3) In the case of any other governmental agency, the officer, board, commission, authority or other body having the general management thereof or having jurisdiction or authority in the particular circumstances.

(H) "Person" means any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation.

(I) "Bond service charges" means principal, including mandatory sinking fund requirements for retirement of obligations, and interest, and redemption premium, if any, required to be paid by the state on obligations. If not prohibited by the applicable bond proceedings, bond service charges may include costs relating to credit enhancement facilities that are related to and represent, or are intended to provide a source of payment of or limitation on, other bond service charges.

(J) "Capital facilities" means buildings, structures, and other improvements, and equipment, real estate, and interests in real estate therefor, within the state, and any one, part of, or combination of the foregoing, to serve the general purposes for which the issuing authority is authorized to issue obligations pursuant to Chapter 154. of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to, drives, roadways, parking facilities, walks, lighting, machinery, furnishings, utilities, landscaping, wharves, docks, piers, reservoirs, dams, tunnels, bridges, retaining walls, riprap, culverts, ditches, channels, watercourses, retention basins, standpipes and water storage facilities, waste treatment and disposal facilities, heating, air conditioning and communications facilities, inns, lodges, cabins, camping sites, golf courses, boat and bathing facilities, athletic and recreational facilities, and site improvements.

(K) "Costs of capital facilities" means the costs of acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, remodeling, renovating, enlarging, improving, equipping, or furnishing capital facilities, and the financing thereof, including the cost of clearance and preparation of the site and of any land to be used in connection with capital facilities, the cost of any indemnity and surety bonds and premiums on insurance, all related direct administrative expenses and allocable portions of direct costs of the commission or issuing authority and department of administrative services, or other designees of the commission under section 154.17 of the Revised Code, cost of engineering and architectural services, designs, plans, specifications, surveys, and estimates of cost, legal fees, fees and expenses of trustees, depositories, and paying agents for the obligations, cost of issuance of the obligations and financing charges and fees and expenses of financial advisers and consultants in connection therewith, interest on obligations from the date thereof to the time when interest is to be covered from sources other than proceeds of obligations, amounts necessary to establish reserves as required by the bond proceedings, costs of audits, the reimbursement of all moneys advanced or applied by or borrowed from any governmental agency, whether to or by the commission or others, from whatever source provided, for the payment of any item or items of cost of the capital facilities, any share of the cost undertaken by the commission pursuant to arrangements made with governmental agencies under division (H) of section 154.06 of the Revised Code, and all other expenses necessary or incident to planning or determining feasibility or practicability with respect to capital facilities, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, remodeling, renovation, enlargement, improvement, equipment, and furnishing of capital facilities, the financing thereof and the placing of the same in use and operation, including any one, part of, or combination of such classes of costs and expenses.

(L) "Public service facilities" means inns, lodges, hotels, cabins, camping sites, scenic trails, picnic sites, restaurants, commissaries, golf courses, boating and bathing facilities and other similar facilities in state parks.

(M) "State parks" means:

(1) State reservoirs described and identified in section 1541.06 of the Revised Code;

(2) All lands or interests therein of the state identified as administered by the division of parks and recreation in the "inventory of state owned lands administered by the department of natural resources as of June 1, 1963," as recorded in the journal of the director, which inventory was prepared by the real estate section of the department and is supported by maps now on file in said real estate section;

(3) All lands or interests in lands of the state designated after June 1, 1963, as state parks in the journal of the director with the approval of the recreation and resources council.

State parks do not include any lands or interest in lands of the state administered jointly by two or more divisions of the department of natural resources. The designation of lands as state parks under divisions (M)(1) to (3) of this section is conclusive and such lands shall be under the control of and administered by the division of parks and recreation. No order or proceeding designating lands as state parks or park purchase areas is subject to any appeal or review by any officer, board, commission, or court.

(N) "Bond service fund" means the applicable fund created for and pledged to the payment of bond service charges under section 154.20, 154.21, or 154.22 of the Revised Code, including all moneys and investments, and earnings from investments, credited and to be credited thereto.

(O) "Improvement fund" means the applicable fund created for the payment of costs of capital facilities under section 154.20, 154.21, or 154.22 of the Revised Code, including all moneys and investments, and earnings from investments, credited and to be credited thereto.

(P) "Special funds" or "funds" means, except where the context does not permit, the bond service funds, the improvements funds, and any other funds for similar or different purposes created under bond proceedings, including all moneys and investments, and earnings from investments, credited and to be credited thereto.

(Q) "Year" unless the context indicates a different meaning or intent, means a calendar year beginning on the first day of January and ending on the thirty-first day of December.

(R) "Fiscal year" means the period of twelve months beginning on the first day of July and ending on the thirtieth day of June.

(S) "Issuing authority" means the treasurer of state or the officer or employee who by law performs the functions of that office.

(T) "Credit enhancement facilities" has the same meaning as in section 133.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 154.08.  (A) Obligations issued under this chapter shall be authorized by order or resolution of the issuing authority, and the bond proceedings shall provide for the purpose thereof, the principal amount, the permitted discount, if any, the principal maturity or maturities, not exceeding forty years from the date of issuance, the interest rate or rates, which may be a variable rate or rates, or the maximum interest rate, the date of the obligations and the dates of payment of interest thereon, their denomination, the manner of sale for purposes of division (D) of this section, and the establishment within or without the state of a place or places of payment of principal of and interest on obligations. The purpose of obligations may be stated in the bond proceedings in terms describing the general purpose to be served by the capital facilities to be financed by such obligations. The bond proceedings shall also provide, subject to the provisions of any other applicable bond proceedings, for the pledge of all, or such part as the issuing authority may determine, of the applicable revenues or receipts which may be pledged to the payment of bond service charges on obligations issued for such purpose as authorized by Chapter 154. of the Revised Code, and a pledge of the applicable bond service fund and other special funds to the payment of the bond service charges on such obligations, which pledges may be made either prior or subordinate to other expenses, claims, or payments, and may be made to secure the obligations on a parity with obligations theretofore or thereafter issued by the authority, if and to the extent provided in the bond proceedings. The revenues, receipts, bond service fund, and other special funds so pledged and thereafter received by the issuing authority are immediately subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge is valid and binding against all parties having claims of any kind against the authority, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof, and shall create a perfected security interest for all purposes of Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code, without the necessity for separation or delivery of funds or for the filing or recording of the bond proceedings by which such pledge is created or any certificate, statement, or other document with respect thereto; and the pledge of such revenues, receipts, bond service funds, and the special funds is effective and the money therefrom and thereof may be applied to the purposes for which pledged without necessity for any act of appropriation. Every pledge, and every covenant and agreement made with respect thereto, made in the bond proceedings may therein be extended to the benefit of the owners and holders of obligations authorized by Chapter 154. of the Revised Code, and to any trustee therefor, for the further securing of the payment of the bond service charges and all or any rights under any agreement or lease made under this section may be assigned for such purpose.

(B) The bond proceedings may contain additional provisions as to:

(1) The redemption of obligations prior to maturity at the option of the issuing authority at such price or prices and under such terms and conditions as are provided in the bond proceedings;

(2) The acquisition, construction, reconstruction, equipment, furnishing, improvement, operation, alteration, enlargement, maintenance, insurance, and repair of capital facilities, sites therefor, and the duties of the commission with reference thereto;

(3) Other terms of the obligations;

(4) Limitations on the purposes to which the proceeds of the obligations may be applied;

(5) The rentals for the use of the capital facilities, including limitations upon the power of the commission to modify such rentals;

(6) The use and expenditure of the revenues of the issuing authority in such manner and to such extent as the authority determines, which may include provision for the payment of the expenses of the operation and administration of the authority relating to obligations so that those expenses, or part of them, shall be paid or provided as a charge prior or subsequent to the payment of bond service charges and any other payments required to be made by the bond proceedings;

(7) Limitations on the issuance of additional obligations;

(8) The terms of any trust agreement or indenture securing the obligations or under which the obligations may be issued;

(9) The deposit, investment and application of special funds, and the safeguarding of funds on hand or on deposit without regard to Chapter 131. or 135. of the Revised Code, but subject to special provisions of Chapter 154. of the Revised Code with respect to particular funds; and any bank or trust company which acts as depository of any moneys of the commission or authority may furnish such indemnifying bonds or may pledge such securities as required by the commission or authority;

(10) That any or every provision of the bond proceedings is binding upon such officer, board, commission, authority, agency, department, or other person or body as may from time to time have the authority under law to take such actions as may be necessary to perform all or any part of the duty required by such provision;

(11) Any provision which may be made in a trust agreement or indenture;

(12) Credit enhancement facilities, as defined in section 133.01 of the Revised Code, the cost of which may be included in the costs of issuance of the obligations, and the pledge, holding, and disposition of the proceeds thereof;

(13) Any other or additional agreements with the holders of the obligations, or the trustee therefor, with respect to the operation of the issuing authority with respect to obligations and related funds, and revenues, and insurance thereof, and of the commission and its members or officers.

(C) The obligations may have the great seal of the state or a facsimile thereof affixed thereto or printed thereon and shall be executed by the treasurer of state or such other executive officers of the state as are designated in the bond proceedings, provided that, consistent with section 9.96 of the Revised Code, all but one of such signatures on obligations, whenever issued, may be facsimile signatures. Any coupons pertaining to obligations shall bear the facsimile signature of the individual officer or officers as is designated in the bond proceedings. Any obligations or coupons may be executed by an individual who, on the date of execution, is the proper officer although on the date of such bonds or coupons such person was not the proper officer. In case any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any such obligation or coupon ceases to be such officer before delivery thereof, such signature or facsimile is nevertheless valid and sufficient for all purposes as if the officer had remained such officer until such delivery; and in case the great seal of the state has been changed after a facsimile of the seal has been imprinted on such obligations, such facsimile seal shall continue to be sufficient as to such obligations and obligations issued in substitution or exchange therefor.

All obligations are negotiable instruments and securities under Chapter 1308. of the Revised Code, subject to the provisions of the bond proceedings as to registration. The obligations may be issued in coupon or in registered form, or both, as the issuing authority determines. Provision may be made for the registration of any obligations with coupons attached thereto as to principal alone or as to both principal and interest, their exchange for obligations so registered, and for the conversion or reconversion into obligations with coupons attached thereto of any obligations registered as to both principal and interest, and for reasonable charges for such registration, exchange, conversion, and reconversion.

(D) Obligations may be sold at public sale or at private sale, in such manner, and at such price, as determined by and provided by the issuing authority in the bond proceedings. Notice of sale of obligations to be sold at public sale shall be published once, before the date of sale, in one or more financial journals or via appropriate electronic media. Each published notice shall state or provide for, or provide for the manner of determining: the day, hour, and place of the sale and manner and method of bidding; the total principal amount, the permitted discount, if any, and date of the obligations to be sold; and the dates of payment of principal and interest; whether or not they are or may be callable; and information relative to the denominations, and amounts of principal maturities, together with such other information as the issuing authority may determine or authorize, including without limitation thereto, the method, including that of discounting present value, of determining the lowest interest cost or lowest combination of interest rates, limitations on interest rates, and any other conditions and terms of the sale or bidding. The issuing authority may reject all bids and readvertise and reoffer obligations for sale.

(E) Pending preparation of definitive obligations, the issuing authority may issue interim receipts or certificates which shall be exchanged for such definitive obligations.

(F) In connection with the issuance of obligations pursuant to this chapter, the issuing authority may:

(1) Contract for the services of financial consultants, accounting experts, and other consultants and independent contractors, as are necessary in that authority's judgment to carry out the authority's functions and responsibilities under this chapter;

(2) Enter into contracts and execute all instruments necessary or incidental to the performance of the authority's duties and the execution of the authority's powers and do all other acts necessary or proper to the fulfillment of the authority's purposes and to carry out the powers expressly granted in this chapter.

(G) The issuing authority shall have responsibility for keeping records, making reports, and making payments related to arbitrage compliance and rebate requirements under the bond proceedings for obligations issued pursuant to this chapter.

Sec. 175.09.  (A) All bonds issued under this chapter are lawful investments of banks, societies for savings, savings and loan associations, deposit guarantee associations, trust companies, trustees, fiduciaries, insurance companies, including domestic for life and domestic not for life, trustees or other officers having charge of sinking and bond retirement or other special funds of political subdivisions and taxing districts of this state, the commissioners treasurer of the sinking fund of the state, the administrator of workers' compensation, the state teachers retirement system, the public employees retirement system, the school employees retirement system, and the Ohio police and fire pension fund, notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code or rules adopted pursuant thereto by any governmental agency of the state with respect to investments by them, and are acceptable as security for the deposit of public moneys.

(B) The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, for the improvement of their health, safety, convenience, and economic welfare, and for the enhancement of the opportunities for safe and sanitary housing and is a public purpose. The programs undertaken by the Ohio housing finance agency constitute the performance of essential public functions, and the bonds issued under this chapter, their transfer, and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, is at all times free from taxation within the state.

Sec. 319.302.  After complying with section 319.301 of the Revised Code, the county auditor shall reduce the remaining sums to be levied against each parcel of real property listed on the general tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property for the current tax year, and against each manufactured and mobile home that is taxed pursuant to division (D)(2) of section 4503.06 of the Revised Code and that is on the manufactured home tax list for the current tax year, by ten per cent. Except as otherwise provided in sections 323.152, 323.158, 505.06, and 715.263 of the Revised Code, the amount of the taxes remaining after such reduction shall be the real and public utility property taxes charged and payable, and the manufactured home tax charged and payable, on each property and shall be the amounts certified to the county treasurer for collection. Upon receipt of the tax duplicate, the treasurer shall certify to the tax commissioner the total amount by which such taxes were reduced under this section, as shown on the duplicate. Such reduction shall not directly or indirectly affect the determination of the principal amount of notes that may be issued in anticipation of any tax levies or the amount of bonds or notes for any planned improvements. If after application of sections 5705.31 and 5705.32 of the Revised Code and other applicable provisions of law, including division divisions (F) and (I) of section 321.24 of the Revised Code, there would be insufficient funds for payment of debt charges on bonds or notes payable from taxes reduced by this section, the reduction of taxes provided for in this section shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to provide funds from such taxes.

Sec. 321.24.  (A) On or before the fifteenth day of February, in each year, the county treasurer shall settle with the county auditor for all taxes and assessments that the treasurer has collected on the general duplicate of real and public utility property at the time of making the settlement.

(B) On or before the thirtieth day of June, in each year, the treasurer shall settle with the auditor for all advance payments of general personal and classified property taxes that the treasurer has received at the time of making the settlement.

(C) On or before the tenth day of August, in each year, the treasurer shall settle with the auditor for all taxes and assessments that the treasurer has collected on the general duplicates of real and public utility property at the time of making such settlement, not included in the preceding February settlement.

(D) On or before the thirty-first day of October, in each year, the treasurer shall settle with the auditor for all taxes that the treasurer has collected on the general personal and classified property duplicates, and for all advance payments of general personal and classified property taxes, not included in the preceding June settlement, that the treasurer has received at the time of making such settlement.

(E) In the event the time for the payment of taxes is extended, pursuant to section 323.17 of the Revised Code, the date on or before which settlement for the taxes so extended must be made, as herein prescribed, shall be deemed to be extended for a like period of time. At each such settlement, the auditor shall allow to the treasurer, on the moneys received or collected and accounted for by the treasurer, the treasurer's fees, at the rate or percentage allowed by law, at a full settlement of the treasurer.

(F) Within thirty days after the day of each settlement of taxes required under divisions (A) and (C) of this section, the treasurer shall certify to the tax commissioner any adjustments which have been made to the amount certified previously pursuant to section 319.302 of the Revised Code and that the settlement has been completed. Upon receipt of such certification, the commissioner shall provide for payment to the county treasurer from the general revenue fund of an amount equal to one-half of the amount certified by the treasurer in the preceding tax year under section 319.302 of the Revised Code, less one-half of the amount computed for all taxing districts in that county for the current fiscal year under section 5703.80 of the Revised Code for crediting to the property tax administration fund. Such payment shall be credited upon receipt to the county's undivided income tax fund, and the county auditor shall transfer to the county general fund from the amount thereof the total amount of all fees and charges which the auditor and treasurer would have been authorized to receive had such section not been in effect and that amount had been levied and collected as taxes. The county auditor shall distribute the amount remaining among the various taxing districts in the county as if it had been levied, collected, and settled as real property taxes. The amount distributed to each taxing district shall be reduced by the total of the amounts computed for the district under divisions (A), (B), and (C) of section 5703.80 of the Revised Code, but the reduction shall not exceed the amount that otherwise would be distributed to the taxing district under this division. The tax commissioner shall make available to taxing districts such information as is sufficient for a taxing district to be able to determine the amount of the reduction in its distribution under this section.

(G)(1) Within thirty days after the day of the settlement required in division (D) of this section, the county treasurer shall notify the tax commissioner that the settlement has been completed. Upon receipt of that notification, the commissioner shall provide for payment to the county treasurer from the general revenue fund of an amount equal to the amount certified under former section 319.311 of the Revised Code and paid in the state's fiscal year 2003 multiplied by the percentage specified in division (G)(2) of this section. The payment shall be credited upon receipt to the county's undivided income tax fund, and the county auditor shall distribute the amount thereof among the various taxing districts of the county as if it had been levied, collected, and settled as personal property taxes. The amount received by a taxing district under this division shall be apportioned among its funds in the same proportion as the current year's personal property taxes are apportioned.

(2) Payments required under division (G)(1) of this section shall be made at the following percentages of the amount certified under former section 319.311 of the Revised Code and paid under division (G)(1) of this section in the state's fiscal year 2003:

(a) In fiscal year 2004, ninety per cent;

(b) In fiscal year 2005, eighty per cent;

(c) In fiscal year 2006, seventy per cent;

(d) In fiscal year 2007, sixty per cent;

(e) In fiscal year 2008, fifty per cent;

(f) In fiscal year 2009, forty per cent;

(g) In fiscal year 2010, thirty per cent;

(h) In fiscal year 2011, twenty per cent;

(i) In fiscal year 2012, ten per cent.

After fiscal year 2012, no payments shall be made under division (G)(1) of this section.

(H)(1) On or before the fifteenth day of April each year, the county treasurer shall settle with the county auditor for all manufactured home taxes that the county treasurer has collected on the manufactured home tax duplicate at the time of making the settlement.

(2) On or before the fifteenth day of September each year, the county treasurer shall settle with the county auditor for all remaining manufactured home taxes that the county treasurer has collected on the manufactured home tax duplicate at the time of making the settlement.

(3) If the time for payment of such taxes is extended under section 4503.06 of the Revised Code, the time for making the settlement as prescribed by divisions (H)(1) and (2) of this section is extended for a like period of time.

(I) Within thirty days after the day of each settlement of taxes required under division (H) of this section, the county treasurer shall certify to the tax commissioner any adjustments that have been made to the amount certified previously pursuant to section 319.302 of the Revised Code and that the settlement has been completed. Upon receipt of such certification, the commissioner shall provide for payment to the county treasurer from the general revenue fund of an amount equal to one-half of the amount certified by the treasurer in the current tax year under section 319.302 of the Revised Code. Such payment shall be credited upon receipt to the county's undivided income tax fund, and the county auditor shall transfer to the county general fund from the amount thereof the total amount of all fees and charges that the auditor and treasurer would have been authorized to receive had such section not been in effect and that amount had been levied and collected as taxes. The county auditor shall distribute the amount remaining among the various taxing districts in the county as if it had been levied, collected, and settled as manufactured home taxes.

Sec. 321.46.  (A) To enhance the background and working knowledge of county treasurers in governmental accounting, portfolio reporting and compliance, investments, and cash management, the auditor of state and the treasurer of state shall conduct education programs for persons elected for the first time to the office of county treasurer and shall hold annual biennial continuing education programs for persons who continue to hold the office of county treasurer. Education programs for newly elected county treasurers shall be held between the first day of December and the first Monday of September next following that person's election to the office of county treasurer. Similar initial training may also be provided to any county treasurer who is appointed to fill a vacancy or who is elected at a special election.

(B)(1) The auditor of state shall determine the manner and content of the education programs in the subject areas of governmental accounting and portfolio reporting and compliance. In those areas, newly elected county treasurers shall be required to take at least thirteen hours of education before taking office.

(2) The treasurer of state shall determine the manner and content of the education programs in the subject areas of investments and cash management. In those areas, newly elected county treasurers shall be required to take at least thirteen hours of education before taking office.

(3)(a) After completing one year in office, a county treasurer shall be required to take not less than twelve twenty-four hours annually of continuing education during each biennial cycle. For purposes of division (B)(3)(a) of this section, a biennial cycle for continuing education shall be every two calendar years after the treasurer's first year in office. The treasurer of state shall determine the manner and content of the education programs in the subject areas of investments, cash management, the collection of taxes, ethics, and any other subject area that the treasurer of state determines is reasonably related to the duties of the office of the county treasurer. The auditor of state shall determine the manner and content of the education programs in the subject areas of governmental accounting, portfolio reporting and compliance, office management, and any other subject area that the auditor of state determines is reasonably related to the duties of the office of the county treasurer.

(b) A county treasurer who accumulates more than twenty-four hours of continuing education in a biennial cycle described in division (B)(3)(a) of this section may credit the hours in excess of twenty-four hours to the next biennial cycle. However, regardless of the total number of hours earned, no more than six hours in the education programs determined by the treasurer of state pursuant to division (B)(3)(a) of this section and six hours in the education programs determined by the auditor of state pursuant to that division shall be carried over to the next biennial cycle.

(C) The auditor of state and the treasurer of state may each charge counties a registration fee that will meet actual and necessary expenses of the training of county treasurers, including instructor fees, site acquisition costs, and the cost of course materials. The necessary personal expenses of county treasurers as a result of attending the training programs shall be borne by the counties the treasurers represent.

(D) The auditor of state and the treasurer of state may allow any other interested person to attend any of the education programs that are held pursuant to this section, provided that before attending any such education program, the interested person shall pay to either the auditor of state or the treasurer of state, as appropriate, the full registration fee set for the education program.

(E) A (1) If a county treasurer who fails to complete the initial or continuing education programs required by this section without a valid health-related excuse or other special hardship shall be restricted to investing in the Ohio subdivision's fund pursuant to division (A)(6) of section 135.35 of the Revised Code, in no-load money market mutual funds pursuant to division (A)(5) of section 135.35 of the Revised Code, or in time certificate of deposits or deposit accounts pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 135.35 of the Revised Code. A county treasurer who has failed to complete the initial or continuing education programs and invests in other than the investments permitted by this division shall be subject to removal from office upon complaint and investigation by the county prosecuting attorney, a hearing, and a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners approving the removal from office before taking office, the treasurer's authority to invest county funds and to manage the county portfolio immediately is suspended, and this authority is transferred to the county's investment advisory committee until full compliance with the initial education programs is determined by the treasurer of state.

(2) If a county treasurer fails to complete continuing education programs as required by this section, the county treasurer is subject to divisions (B) to (E) of section 321.47 of the Revised Code, including possible suspension of the treasurer's authority to invest county funds and to manage the county portfolio and transfer of this authority to the county's investment advisory committee.

(F)(1) Notwithstanding divisions (B) and (E) of this section, a county treasurer who fails to complete the initial or continuing education programs required by this section shall invest only in the Ohio subdivisions fund pursuant to division (A)(6) of section 135.35 of the Revised Code, in no load money market mutual funds pursuant to division (A)(5) of section 135.35 of the Revised Code, or in time certificates of deposit or savings or deposit accounts pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 135.35 of the Revised Code.

(2) A county treasurer who has failed to complete the initial education programs required by this section and invests in other than the investments permitted by division (F)(1) of this section immediately shall have the county treasurer's authority to invest county funds and to manage the county portfolio suspended, and this authority shall be transferred to the county's investment advisory committee until full compliance with the initial education programs is determined by the treasurer of state.

(3) If a county treasurer fails to complete continuing education programs required by this section and invests in other than the investments permitted by division (F)(1) of this section, the county treasurer is subject to divisions (B) to (E) of section 321.47 of the Revised Code, including possible suspension of the treasurer's authority to invest county funds and to manage the county portfolio and transfer of this authority to the county's investment advisory committee.

(G)(1) There is hereby created in the state treasury the county treasurer education fund, to be used by the treasurer of state for actual and necessary expenses of education programs held pursuant to this section and section 135.22 of the Revised Code. All registration fees collected by the treasurer of state under this section and section 135.22 of the Revised Code shall be paid into that fund.

(2) All registration fees collected by the auditor of state under this section shall be paid into the auditor of state training program fund established under section 117.44 of the Revised Code.

(G)(H) The treasurer of state, with the advice and consent of the auditor of state, may adopt reasonable rules not inconsistent with this section for the implementation of this section.

Sec. 321.47.  (A) By the fifteenth day of January following completion of each biennial cycle described in division (B)(3)(a) of section 321.46 of the Revised Code, the auditor of state shall notify the treasurer of state of the continuing education hours completed under the auditor of state's supervision by each county treasurer for that biennial cycle pursuant to section 321.46 of the Revised Code.

(B) By the thirty-first day of January following completion of each biennial cycle described in division (B)(3)(a) of section 321.46 of the Revised Code, the treasurer of state shall determine whether any county treasurer has failed to comply with the county treasurer's continuing education requirements pursuant to section 321.46 of the Revised Code and, by certified mail, shall notify any county treasurer who has not complied with the requirements. The notice shall contain all of the following:

(1) Notification that the county treasurer is deficient in continuing education hours;

(2) Notification that if the county treasurer believes the treasurer of state's records are in error, the county treasurer has one month to submit proof to the treasurer of state that the county treasurer is in compliance with the continuing education requirements;

(3) Notification that completion of the continuing education requirements also may be obtained by attending courses approved by the auditor of state or the treasurer of state, but that the county treasurer must comply fully with the continuing education requirements and that the treasurer of state must have proof of full compliance by the last day of April following completion of each biennial cycle;

(4) Notification that if the county treasurer has failed to comply fully with the continuing education requirements by the last day of April following completion of each biennial cycle, the treasurer of state will notify the prosecuting attorney of that treasurer's county of that fact immediately.

(C)(1) Upon receipt of the notice described in division (B)(4) of this section, the prosecuting attorney shall petition the court of common pleas of that county for an order suspending the county treasurer's authority to invest county funds and to manage the county investment portfolio. The petition shall contain a brief statement of the facts and shall show that the county treasurer has failed to comply with the continuing education requirements of section 321.46 of the Revised Code. Before or simultaneously with the filing of the petition, the prosecuting attorney shall serve a copy of the petition upon the county treasurer personally or by certified mail, together with a copy of this section. Upon the filing of the petition, the court, on the motion of the prosecuting attorney, shall enter an order fixing a date for hearing not later than two weeks after the date of filing and shall require that a copy of the order be given to the county treasurer in the manner in which a summons is required to be served or substituted service is required to be made in other cases.

(2) On the date fixed for the hearing described in division (C)(1) of this section, or any adjournment of it, the court shall determine from the petition and evidence submitted by either party whether the county treasurer has met the continuing education requirements of section 321.46 of the Revised Code for the preceding biennial cycle described in division (B)(3)(a) of section 321.46 of the Revised Code. If the court finds that the county treasurer has failed to meet these continuing education requirements, it shall enter an order transferring the county treasurer's authority to invest county funds and to manage the county portfolio to the county's investment advisory committee until such time as the county treasurer complies fully with the continuing education requirements.

(3) The costs of the proceeding shall be assessed or apportioned as the court considers equitable.

(D) Upon receiving proof of completion of continuing education requirements for the preceding biennial cycle described in division (B)(3)(a) of section 321.46 of the Revised Code, the treasurer of state shall notify the prosecuting attorney that the county treasurer has complied fully with the continuing education requirements. The prosecuting attorney shall submit this information to the court, and the court shall enter an order terminating the authority of the county's investment advisory committee to invest county funds and to manage the county portfolio and restoring such authority to the county treasurer.

(E) The proceedings described in divisions (C) and (D) of this section are special proceedings, and final orders in the proceedings may be reviewed and affirmed, modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, pursuant to Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 323.121.  (A) If (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, if one-half of the current taxes charged against an entry of real estate together with the full amount of any delinquent taxes or any installment thereof required to be paid under a written delinquent tax contract are not paid on or before the thirty-first day of December in that year or on or before the last day for such payment as extended pursuant to section 323.17 of the Revised Code, a penalty of ten per cent shall be charged against the unpaid balance of such half of the current taxes on the duplicate. If the total amount of all such the taxes is not paid on or before the twentieth day of June, next thereafter, or on or before the last day for such payment as extended pursuant to section 323.17 of the Revised Code, a like penalty shall be charged on the balance of the total amount of such unpaid current taxes.

(2) After a valid delinquent or omitted tax contract that includes unpaid current taxes from a first-half collection period described in section 323.12 of the Revised Code has been entered into under section 323.31 or 5713.20 of the Revised Code, no ten per cent penalty shall be charged against such taxes after the second-half collection period while the delinquent or omitted tax contract remains in effect. On the day a delinquent or omitted tax contract becomes void, the ten per cent penalty shall be charged against such taxes and shall equal the amount of penalty that would have been charged against unpaid current taxes outstanding on the date on which the second-half penalty would have been charged thereon under division (A)(1) of this section if the contract had not been in effect.

(B)(1) On the first day of the month following the last day the second installment of taxes may be paid without penalty, interest shall be charged against and computed on all delinquent taxes other than the current taxes that became delinquent taxes at the close of the last day such second installment could be paid without penalty. The charge shall be for interest that accrued during the period that began on the preceding first day of December and ended on the last day of the month that included the last date such second installment could be paid without penalty. The interest shall be computed at the rate per annum prescribed by section 5703.47 of the Revised Code and shall be entered as a separate item on the tax list and duplicate compiled under section 319.28 or 5721.011 of the Revised Code, whichever list and duplicate are first compiled after the date on which such the interest is computed and charged. However, for tracts and lots on the real property tax suspension list under section 319.48 of the Revised Code, the interest shall not be entered on the tax list and duplicate compiled under section 319.28 of the Revised Code, but shall be entered on the first tax list and duplicate compiled under section 5721.011 of the Revised Code after the date on which the interest is computed and charged.

(2) On the first day of December, the interest shall be charged against and computed on all delinquent taxes. The charge shall be for interest that accrued during the period that began on the first day of the month following the last date prescribed for the payment of the second installment of taxes in the current year and ended on the immediately preceding last day of November. The interest shall be computed at the rate per annum prescribed by section 5703.47 of the Revised Code and shall be entered as a separate item on the tax list and duplicate compiled under section 319.28 or 5721.011 of the Revised Code, whichever list and duplicate are first compiled after the date on which such the interest is computed and charged. However, for tracts and lots on the real property tax suspension list under section 319.48 of the Revised Code, the interest shall not be entered on the tax list and duplicate compiled under section 319.28 of the Revised Code, but shall be entered on the first tax list and duplicate compiled under section 5721.011 of the Revised Code after the date on which the interest is computed and charged.

(3) After a valid delinquent tax contract has been entered into for the payment of any delinquent taxes, no interest shall be charged against such delinquent taxes while the delinquent tax contract remains in effect in compliance with section 323.31 of the Revised Code. If a valid delinquent tax contract becomes void, interest shall be charged against the delinquent taxes for the periods that interest was not permitted to be charged while the delinquent tax contract was in effect. The interest shall be charged on the day the delinquent tax contract becomes void and shall equal the amount of interest that would have been charged against the unpaid delinquent taxes outstanding on the dates on which interest would have been charged thereon under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section had the delinquent tax contract not been in effect.

(C) If the full amount of the taxes due at either of the times prescribed by division (A) of this section is paid within ten days after such time, the county treasurer shall waive the collection of and the county auditor shall remit one-half of the penalty provided for in such that division for failure to make that payment by the prescribed time.

(D) The county treasurer shall compile and deliver to the county auditor a list of all tax payments the treasurer has received as provided in division (C) of this section. The list shall include any information required by the auditor for the remission of the penalties waived by the treasurer. The taxes so collected shall be included in the settlement next succeeding the settlement then in process.

Sec. 323.31.  (A)(1) A person who owns agricultural real property or owns and occupies residential real property or a manufactured or mobile home that does not have an outstanding tax lien certificate or judgment of foreclosure against it, and a person who is a vendee of such property under a purchase agreement or land contract and who occupies the property, shall have at least one opportunity to pay the any delinquent or unpaid current taxes, or both, charged against the property by entering into a written delinquent tax contract with the county treasurer in a form prescribed or approved by the tax commissioner. Subsequent opportunities to enter into a delinquent tax contract shall be at the county treasurer's sole discretion.

(2) The treasurer may enter into a delinquent tax contract in accordance with division (A) of this section with an owner or vendee of real property, other than residential real property or a manufactured or mobile home that is occupied by the owner, and other than agricultural real property.

(3) The delinquent tax contract described in division (A) of this section may be entered into at any time prior to the commencement of foreclosure proceedings by the county treasurer and the county prosecuting attorney pursuant to section 323.25 of the Revised Code or by the county prosecuting attorney pursuant to section 5721.18 of the Revised Code, the commencement of foreclosure proceedings by a private attorney pursuant to section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the commencement of foreclosure and forfeiture proceedings pursuant to section 5721.14 of the Revised Code, or the commencement of collection proceedings pursuant to division (H) of section 4503.06 of the Revised Code by the filing of a civil action as provided in that division. A duplicate copy of each delinquent tax contract shall be filed with the county auditor, who shall attach the copy to the delinquent land tax certificate, delinquent vacant land tax certificate, or the delinquent manufactured home tax list, or who shall enter an asterisk in the margin next to the entry for the tract or lot on the master list of delinquent tracts, master list of delinquent vacant tracts, or next to the entry for the home on the delinquent manufactured home tax list, prior to filing it with the prosecuting attorney under section 5721.13 of the Revised Code, or, in the case of the delinquent manufactured home tax list, prior to delivering it to the county treasurer under division (H)(2) of section 4503.06 of the Revised Code. If the delinquent tax contract is entered into after the certificate or the master list has been filed with the prosecuting attorney, the treasurer shall file the duplicate copy with the prosecuting attorney.

(4) A delinquent tax contract entered into under this division (A) of this section shall provide for the payment of any delinquent and or unpaid current taxes, or both, in installments over a period not to exceed five years after the date of the first payment made under the contract; however, a person entering into a delinquent tax contract who owns and occupies residential real property may request, and the treasurer shall allow, a delinquent tax contract providing for payment in installments over a period of no fewer than two years after the date of the first payment made under the contract.

(5) For each delinquent tax contract entered into under division (A) of this section, the county treasurer shall determine and shall specify in the delinquent tax contract the number of installments, the amount of each installment, and the schedule for payment of the installments. The part of each installment payment representing taxes and penalties and interest thereon shall be apportioned among the several taxing districts in the same proportion that the amount of taxes levied by each district against the entry in the preceding tax year bears to the taxes levied by all such districts against the entry in the preceding tax year. The part of each payment representing assessments and other charges shall be credited to those items in the order in which they became due. Each payment made to a taxing district shall be apportioned among the taxing district's several funds for which taxes or assessments have been levied.

(6) When an installment payment is not received by the treasurer when due under a delinquent tax contract entered into under division (A) of this section or any current taxes or special assessments charged against the property become unpaid, the delinquent tax contract becomes void unless the treasurer permits a new delinquent tax contract to be entered into; if the treasurer does not permit a new delinquent tax contract to be entered into, the treasurer shall certify to the auditor that the delinquent tax contract has become void.

(7) Upon receipt of such a certification described in division (A)(6) of this section, the auditor shall destroy the duplicate copy of the voided delinquent tax contract. If such copy has been filed with the prosecuting attorney, the auditor immediately shall deliver the certification to the prosecuting attorney, who shall attach it to the appropriate certificate and the duplicate copy of the voided delinquent tax contract or strike through the asterisk entered in the margin of the master list next to the entry for the tract or lot that is the subject of the voided delinquent tax contract. The prosecuting attorney then shall institute a proceeding to foreclose the lien of the state in accordance with section 323.25 or 5721.18 of the Revised Code or, in the case of delinquent vacant land, a foreclosure proceeding in accordance with section 323.25 or 5721.18 of the Revised Code, or a foreclosure and forfeiture proceeding in accordance with section 5721.14 of the Revised Code. In the case of a manufactured or mobile home, the county treasurer shall cause a civil action to be brought as provided under division (H) of section 4503.06 of the Revised Code.

(B) If there is an outstanding tax certificate respecting a delinquent parcel under section 5721.32 or 5721.33 of the Revised Code, a written delinquent tax contract may not be entered into under this section. To redeem a tax certificate in installments, the owner or other person seeking to redeem the tax certificate shall enter into a redemption payment plan under division (C) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code.

(C) As used in this section, "unpaid current taxes" means any current taxes charged on the general tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property or the manufactured home tax list and duplicate that remain unpaid after the last day prescribed for payment of the first installment of such taxes without penalty, and any penalties associated with such taxes.

Sec. 4503.06.  (A) The owner of each manufactured or mobile home that has acquired situs in this state shall pay either a real property tax pursuant to Title LVII of the Revised Code or a manufactured home tax pursuant to division (C) of this section.

(B) The owner of a manufactured or mobile home shall pay real property taxes if either of the following applies:

(1) The manufactured or mobile home acquired situs in the state or ownership in the home was transferred on or after January 1, 2000, and all of the following apply:

(a) The home is affixed to a permanent foundation as defined in division (C)(5) of section 3781.06 of the Revised Code;

(b) The home is located on land that is owned by the owner of the home;

(c) The certificate of title has been inactivated by the clerk of the court of common pleas that issued it, pursuant to division (H) of section 4505.11 of the Revised Code.

(2) The manufactured or mobile home acquired situs in the state or ownership in the home was transferred before January 1, 2000, and all of the following apply:

(a) The home is affixed to a permanent foundation as defined in division (C)(5) of section 3781.06 of the Revised Code;

(b) The home is located on land that is owned by the owner of the home;

(c) The owner of the home has elected to have the home taxed as real property and, pursuant to section 4505.11 of the Revised Code, has surrendered the certificate of title to the auditor of the county containing the taxing district in which the home has its situs, together with proof that all taxes have been paid;

(d) The county auditor has placed the home on the real property tax list and delivered the certificate of title to the clerk of the court of common pleas that issued it and the clerk has inactivated the certificate.

(C)(1) Any mobile or manufactured home that is not taxed as real property as provided in division (B) of this section is subject to an annual manufactured home tax, payable by the owner, for locating the home in this state. The tax as levied in this section is for the purpose of supplementing the general revenue funds of the local subdivisions in which the home has its situs pursuant to this section.

(2) The year for which the manufactured home tax is levied commences on the first day of January and ends on the following thirty-first day of December. The state shall have the first lien on any manufactured or mobile home on the list for the amount of taxes, penalties, and interest charged against the owner of the home under this section. The lien of the state for the tax for a year shall attach on the first day of January to a home that has acquired situs on that date. The lien for a home that has not acquired situs on the first day of January, but that acquires situs during the year, shall attach on the next first day of January. The lien shall continue until the tax, including any penalty or interest, is paid.

(3)(a) The situs of a manufactured or mobile home located in this state on the first day of January is the local taxing district in which the home is located on that date.

(b) The situs of a manufactured or mobile home not located in this state on the first day of January, but located in this state subsequent to that date, is the local taxing district in which the home is located thirty days after it is acquired or first enters this state.

(4) The tax is collected by and paid to the county treasurer of the county containing the taxing district in which the home has its situs.

(D) The manufactured home tax shall be computed and assessed by the county auditor of the county containing the taxing district in which the home has its situs as follows:

(1) On a home that acquired situs in this state prior to January 1, 2000;

(a) By multiplying the assessable value of the home by the tax rate of the taxing district in which the home has its situs, and deducting from the product thus obtained any reduction authorized under section 4503.065 of the Revised Code. The tax levied under this formula shall not be less than thirty-six dollars, unless the home qualifies for a reduction in assessable value under section 4503.065 of the Revised Code, in which case there shall be no minimum tax and the tax shall be the amount calculated under this division.

(b) The assessable value of the home shall be forty per cent of the amount arrived at by the following computation:

(i) If the cost to the owner, or market value at time of purchase, whichever is greater, of the home includes the furnishings and equipment, such cost or market value shall be multiplied according to the following schedule:


For the first calendar year
in which the
home is owned by the
current owner80%
2nd calendar yearx75%
3rd "x70%
4th "x65%
5th "x60%
6th "x55%
7th "x50%
8th "x45%
9th "x40%
10th and each year thereafter35%

The first calendar year means any period between the first day of January and the thirty-first day of December of the first year.

(ii) If the cost to the owner, or market value at the time of purchase, whichever is greater, of the home does not include the furnishings and equipment, such cost or market value shall be multiplied according to the following schedule:


For the first calendar year
in which the
home is owned by the
current owner95%
2nd calendar yearx90%
3rd "x85%
4th "x80%
5th "x75%
6th "x70%
7th "x65%
8th "x60%
9th "x55%
10th and each year thereafter50%

The first calendar year means any period between the first day of January and the thirty-first day of December of the first year.

(2) On a home in which ownership was transferred or that first acquired situs in this state on or after January 1, 2000:

(a) By multiplying the assessable value of the home by the effective tax rate, as defined in section 323.08 of the Revised Code, for residential real property of the taxing district in which the home has its situs, and deducting from the product thus obtained the reductions required or authorized under section 319.302, division (B) of section 323.152, or section 4503.065 of the Revised Code.

(b) The assessable value of the home shall be thirty-five per cent of its true value as determined under division (L) of this section.

(3) On or before the fifteenth day of January each year, the county auditor shall record the assessable value and the amount of tax on the manufactured or mobile home on the tax list and deliver a duplicate of the list to the county treasurer. In the case of an emergency as defined in section 323.17 of the Revised Code, the tax commissioner, by journal entry, may extend the times for delivery of the duplicate for an additional fifteen days upon receiving a written application from the county auditor regarding an extension for the delivery of the duplicate, or from the county treasurer regarding an extension of the time for the billing and collection of taxes. The application shall contain a statement describing the emergency that will cause the unavoidable delay and must be received by the tax commissioner on or before the last day of the month preceding the day delivery of the duplicate is otherwise required. When an extension is granted for delivery of the duplicate, the time period for payment of taxes shall be extended for a like period of time. When a delay in the closing of a tax collection period becomes unavoidable, the tax commissioner, upon application by the county auditor and county treasurer, may order the time for payment of taxes to be extended if the tax commissioner determines that penalties have accrued or would otherwise accrue for reasons beyond the control of the taxpayers of the county. The order shall prescribe the final extended date for payment of taxes for that collection period.

(4) After January 1, 1999, the owner of a manufactured or mobile home taxed pursuant to division (D)(1) of this section may elect to have the home taxed pursuant to division (D)(2) of this section by filing a written request with the county auditor of the taxing district in which the home is located on or before the first day of December of any year. Upon the filing of the request, the county auditor shall determine whether all taxes levied under division (D)(1) of this section have been paid, and if those taxes have been paid, the county auditor shall tax the manufactured or mobile home pursuant to division (D)(2) of this section commencing in the next tax year.

(5) A manufactured or mobile home that acquired situs in this state prior to January 1, 2000, shall be taxed pursuant to division (D)(2) of this section if no manufactured home tax had been paid for the home and the home was not exempted from taxation pursuant to division (E) of this section for the year for which the taxes were not paid.

(6)(a) Immediately upon receipt of any manufactured home tax duplicate from the county auditor, but not less than twenty days prior to the last date on which the first one-half taxes may be paid without penalty as prescribed in division (F) of this section, the county treasurer shall cause to be prepared and mailed or delivered to each person charged on that duplicate with taxes, or to an agent designated by such person, the tax bill prescribed by the tax commissioner under division (D)(7) of this section. When taxes are paid by installments, the county treasurer shall mail or deliver to each person charged on such duplicate or the agent designated by such that person a second tax bill showing the amount due at the time of the second tax collection. The second half tax bill shall be mailed or delivered at least twenty days prior to the close of the second half tax collection period. A change in the mailing address of any tax bill shall be made in writing to the county treasurer. Failure to receive a bill required by this section does not excuse failure or delay to pay any taxes shown on the bill or, except as provided in division (B)(1) of section 5715.39 of the Revised Code, avoid any penalty, interest, or charge for such delay.

(b) After delivery of the copy of the delinquent manufactured home tax list under division (H) of this section, the county treasurer may prepare and mail to each person in whose name a home is listed an additional tax bill showing the total amount of delinquent taxes charged against the home as shown on the list. The tax bill shall include a notice that the interest charge prescribed by division (G) of this section has begun to accrue.

(7) Each tax bill prepared and mailed or delivered under division (D)(6) of this section shall be in the form and contain the information required by the tax commissioner. The commissioner may prescribe different forms for each county and may authorize the county auditor to make up tax bills and tax receipts to be used by the county treasurer. The tax bill shall not contain or be mailed or delivered with any information or material that is not required by this section or that is not authorized by section 321.45 of the Revised Code or by the tax commissioner. In addition to the information required by the commissioner, each tax bill shall contain the following information:

(a) The taxes levied and the taxes charged and payable against the manufactured or mobile home;

(b) The following notice: "Notice: If the taxes are not paid within sixty days after the county auditor delivers the delinquent manufactured home tax list to the county treasurer, you and your home may be subject to collection proceedings for tax delinquency." Failure to provide such notice has no effect upon the validity of any tax judgment to which a home may be subjected.

(c) In the case of manufactured or mobile homes taxed under division (D)(2) of this section, the following additional information:

(i) The effective tax rate. The words "effective tax rate" shall appear in boldface type.

(ii) The following notice: "Notice: If the taxes charged against this home have been reduced by the 2-1/2 per cent tax reduction for residences occupied by the owner but the home is not a residence occupied by the owner, the owner must notify the county auditor's office not later than March 31 of the year for which the taxes are due. Failure to do so may result in the owner being convicted of a fourth degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by imprisonment up to 30 days, a fine up to $250, or both, and in the owner having to repay the amount by which the taxes were erroneously or illegally reduced, plus any interest that may apply.

If the taxes charged against this home have not been reduced by the 2-1/2 per cent tax reduction and the home is a residence occupied by the owner, the home may qualify for the tax reduction. To obtain an application for the tax reduction or further information, the owner may contact the county auditor's office at .......... (insert the address and telephone number of the county auditor's office)."

(E)(1) A manufactured or mobile home is not subject to this section when any of the following applies:

(a) It is taxable as personal property pursuant to section 5709.01 of the Revised Code. Any manufactured or mobile home that is used as a residence shall be subject to this section and shall not be taxable as personal property pursuant to section 5709.01 of the Revised Code.

(b) It bears a license plate issued by any state other than this state unless the home is in this state in excess of an accumulative period of thirty days in any calendar year.

(c) The annual tax has been paid on the home in this state for the current year.

(d) The tax commissioner has determined, pursuant to section 5715.27 of the Revised Code, that the property is exempt from taxation, or would be exempt from taxation under Chapter 5709. of the Revised Code if it were classified as real property.

(2) A travel trailer or park trailer, as these terms are defined in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code, is not subject to this section if it is unused or unoccupied and stored at the owner's normal place of residence or at a recognized storage facility.

(3) A travel trailer or park trailer, as these terms are defined in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code, is subject to this section and shall be taxed as a manufactured or mobile home if it has a situs longer than thirty days in one location and is connected to existing utilities, unless either of the following applies:

(a) The situs is in a state facility or a camping or park area as defined in division (B), (G), (H), or (R) of section 3733.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) The situs is in a camping or park area that is a tract of land that has been limited to recreational use by deed or zoning restrictions and subdivided for sale of five or more individual lots for the express or implied purpose of occupancy by either self-contained recreational vehicles as defined in division (E) of section 3733.01 of the Revised Code or by dependent recreational vehicles as defined in division (F) of section 3733.01 of the Revised Code.

(F) Except as provided in division (D)(3) of this section, the manufactured home tax is due and payable as follows:

(1) When a manufactured or mobile home has a situs in this state, as provided in this section, on the first day of January, one-half of the amount of the tax is due and payable on or before the first day of March and the balance is due and payable on or before the thirty-first day of July. At the option of the owner of the home, the tax for the entire year may be paid in full on the first day of March.

(2) When a manufactured or mobile home first acquires a situs in this state after the first day of January, no tax is due and payable for that year.

(G)(1) If (a) Except as otherwise provided in division (G)(1)(b) of this section, if one-half of the current taxes charged under this section against a manufactured or mobile home, together with the full amount of any delinquent taxes or any installment thereof required to be paid under a written undertaking, are not paid on or before the thirty-first day of January first day of March in that year, or on or before the last day for such payment as extended pursuant to section 4503.063 of the Revised Code, a penalty of ten per cent shall be charged against the unpaid balance of such half of the current taxes. If the total amount of all such taxes is not paid on or before the thirty-first day of July, next thereafter, or on or before the last day for such payment as extended pursuant to section 4503.063 of the Revised Code, a like penalty shall be charged on the balance of the total amount of such the unpaid current taxes.

(b) After a valid delinquent tax contract that includes unpaid current taxes from a first-half collection period described in division (F) of this section has been entered into under section 323.31 of the Revised Code, no ten per cent penalty shall be charged against such taxes after the second-half collection period while the delinquent tax contract remains in effect. On the day a delinquent tax contract becomes void, the ten per cent penalty shall be charged against such taxes and shall equal the amount of penalty that would have been charged against unpaid current taxes outstanding on the date on which the second-half penalty would have been charged thereon under division (G)(1)(a) of this section if the contract had not been in effect.

(2)(a) On the first day of the month following the last day the second installment of taxes may be paid without penalty beginning in 2000, interest shall be charged against and computed on all delinquent taxes other than the current taxes that became delinquent taxes at the close of the last day such second installment could be paid without penalty. The charge shall be for interest that accrued during the period that began on the preceding first day of December and ended on the last day of the month that included the last date such second installment could be paid without penalty. The interest shall be computed at the rate per annum prescribed by section 5703.47 of the Revised Code and shall be entered as a separate item on the delinquent manufactured home tax list compiled under division (H) of this section.

(b) On the first day of December beginning in 2000, the interest shall be charged against and computed on all delinquent taxes. The charge shall be for interest that accrued during the period that began on the first day of the month following the last date prescribed for the payment of the second installment of taxes in the current year and ended on the immediately preceding last day of November. The interest shall be computed at the rate per annum prescribed by section 5703.47 of the Revised Code and shall be entered as a separate item on the delinquent manufactured home tax list.

(c) After a valid undertaking has been entered into for the payment of any delinquent taxes, no interest shall be charged against such delinquent taxes while the undertaking remains in effect in compliance with section 323.31 of the Revised Code. If a valid undertaking becomes void, interest shall be charged against the delinquent taxes for the periods that interest was not permitted to be charged while the undertaking was in effect. The interest shall be charged on the day the undertaking becomes void and shall equal the amount of interest that would have been charged against the unpaid delinquent taxes outstanding on the dates on which interest would have been charged thereon under divisions (G)(1) and (2) of this section had the undertaking not been in effect.

(3) If the full amount of the taxes due at either of the times prescribed by division (F) of this section is paid within ten days after such time, the county treasurer shall waive the collection of and the county auditor shall remit one-half of the penalty provided for in this division for failure to make that payment by the prescribed time.

(4) The treasurer shall compile and deliver to the county auditor a list of all tax payments the treasurer has received as provided in division (G)(3) of this section. The list shall include any information required by the auditor for the remission of the penalties waived by the treasurer. The taxes so collected shall be included in the settlement next succeeding the settlement then in process.

(H)(1) Beginning in 2000, the county auditor shall compile annually a "delinquent manufactured home tax list" consisting of homes the county treasurer's records indicate have taxes that were not paid within the time prescribed by divisions (D)(3) and (F) of this section, have taxes that remain unpaid from prior years, or have unpaid tax penalties or interest that have been assessed.

(2) Within thirty days after the settlement under division (H)(2) of section 321.24 of the Revised Code beginning in 2000, the county auditor shall deliver a copy of the delinquent manufactured home tax list to the county treasurer. The auditor shall update and publish the delinquent manufactured home tax list annually in the same manner as delinquent real property tax lists are published. The county auditor shall apportion the cost of publishing the list among taxing districts in proportion to the amount of delinquent manufactured home taxes so published that each taxing district is entitled to receive upon collection of those taxes.

(3) When taxes, penalties, or interest are charged against a person on the delinquent manufactured home tax list and are not paid within sixty days after the list is delivered to the county treasurer, the county treasurer shall, in addition to any other remedy provided by law for the collection of taxes, penalties, and interest, enforce collection of such taxes, penalties, and interest by civil action in the name of the treasurer against the owner for the recovery of the unpaid taxes following the procedures for the recovery of delinquent real property taxes in sections 323.25 to 323.28 of the Revised Code. The action may be brought in municipal or county court, provided the amount charged does not exceed the monetary limitations for original jurisdiction for civil actions in those courts.

It is sufficient, having made proper parties to the suit, for the county treasurer to allege in the treasurer's bill of particulars or petition that the taxes stand chargeable on the books of the county treasurer against such person, that they are due and unpaid, and that such person is indebted in the amount of taxes appearing to be due the county. The treasurer need not set forth any other matter relating thereto. If it is found on the trial of the action that the person is indebted to the state, judgment shall be rendered in favor of the county treasurer prosecuting the action. The judgment debtor is not entitled to the benefit of any law for stay of execution or exemption of property from levy or sale on execution in the enforcement of the judgment.

Upon the filing of an entry of confirmation of sale or an order of forfeiture in a proceeding brought under this division, title to the manufactured or mobile home shall be in the purchaser. The clerk of courts shall issue a certificate of title to the purchaser upon presentation of proof of filing of the entry of confirmation or order and, in the case of a forfeiture, presentation of the county auditor's certificate of sale.

(I) The total amount of taxes collected shall be distributed in the following manner: four per cent shall be allowed as compensation to the county auditor for the county auditor's service in assessing the taxes; two per cent shall be allowed as compensation to the county treasurer for the services the county treasurer renders as a result of the tax levied by this section. Such amounts shall be paid into the county treasury, to the credit of the county general revenue fund, on the warrant of the county auditor. Fees to be paid to the credit of the real estate assessment fund shall be collected pursuant to division (B) of section 319.54 of the Revised Code and paid into the county treasury, on the warrant of the county auditor. The balance of the taxes collected shall be distributed among the taxing subdivisions of the county in which the taxes are collected and paid in the same ratio as those taxes were collected for the benefit of the taxing subdivision. The taxes levied and revenues collected under this section shall be in lieu of any general property tax and any tax levied with respect to the privilege of using or occupying a manufactured or mobile home in Ohio except as provided in sections 4503.04 and 5741.02 of the Revised Code.

(J) An agreement to purchase or a bill of sale for a manufactured home shall show whether or not the furnishings and equipment are included in the purchase price.

(K) If the county treasurer and the county prosecuting attorney agree that an item charged on the delinquent manufactured home tax list is uncollectible, they shall certify that determination and the reasons to the county board of revision. If the board determines the amount is uncollectible, it shall certify its determination to the county auditor, who shall strike the item from the list.

(L)(1) The county auditor shall appraise at its true value any manufactured or mobile home in which ownership is transferred or which first acquires situs in this state on or after January 1, 2000, and any manufactured or mobile home the owner of which has elected, under division (D)(4) of this section, to have the home taxed under division (D)(2) of this section. The true value shall include the value of the home, any additions, and any fixtures, but not any furnishings in the home. In determining the true value of a manufactured or mobile home, the auditor shall consider all facts and circumstances relating to the value of the home, including its age, its capacity to function as a residence, any obsolete characteristics, and other factors that may tend to prove its true value.

(2)(a) If a manufactured or mobile home has been the subject of an arm's length sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer within a reasonable length of time prior to the determination of true value, the county auditor shall consider the sale price of the home to be the true value for taxation purposes.

(b) The sale price in an arm's length transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer shall not be considered the true value of the home if either of the following occurred after the sale:

(i) The home has lost value due to a casualty;

(ii) An addition or fixture has been added to the home.

(3) The county auditor shall have each home viewed and appraised at least once in each six-year period in the same year in which real property in the county is appraised pursuant to Chapter 5713. of the Revised Code, and shall update the appraised values in the third calendar year following the appraisal. The person viewing or appraising a home may enter the home to determine by actual view any additions or fixtures that have been added since the last appraisal. In conducting the appraisals and establishing the true value, the auditor shall follow the procedures set forth for appraising real property in sections 5713.01 and 5713.03 of the Revised Code.

(4) The county auditor shall place the true value of each home on the manufactured home tax list upon completion of an appraisal.

(5)(a) If the county auditor changes the true value of a home, the auditor shall notify the owner of the home in writing, delivered by mail or in person. The notice shall be given at least thirty days prior to the issuance of any tax bill that reflects the change. Failure to receive the notice does not invalidate any proceeding under this section.

(b) Any owner of a home or any other person or party listed in division (A)(1) of section 5715.19 of the Revised Code may file a complaint against the true value of the home as appraised under this section. The complaint shall be filed with the county auditor on or before the thirty-first day of March of the current tax year or the date of closing of the collection for the first half of manufactured home taxes for the current tax year, whichever is later. The auditor shall present to the county board of revision all complaints filed with the auditor under this section. The board shall hear and investigate the complaint and may take action on it as provided under sections 5715.11 to 5715.19 of the Revised Code.

(c) If the county board of revision determines, pursuant to a complaint against the valuation of a manufactured or mobile home filed under this section, that the amount of taxes, assessments, or other charges paid was in excess of the amount due based on the valuation as finally determined, then the overpayment shall be refunded in the manner prescribed in section 5715.22 of the Revised Code.

(d) Payment of all or part of a tax under this section for any year for which a complaint is pending before the county board of revision does not abate the complaint or in any way affect the hearing and determination thereof.

(M) If the county auditor determines that any tax, assessment, or other charge, or any part thereof has been erroneously charged as a result of a clerical error as defined in section 319.35 of the Revised Code, the county treasurer and auditor shall call the attention of the county board of revision to the erroneous charges. If the board finds that the taxes or other charges have been erroneously charged or collected, it shall certify the finding to the auditor. Upon receipt of the certification, the auditor shall remove the erroneous charges on the manufactured home tax list or delinquent manufactured home tax list in the same manner as is prescribed in section 319.35 of the Revised Code for erroneous charges against real property, and refund any erroneous charges that have been collected, with interest, in the same manner as is prescribed in section 319.36 of the Revised Code for erroneous charges against real property.

(N) As used in this section and section 4503.061 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Manufactured home taxes" includes taxes, penalties, and interest charged under division (C) or (G) of this section and any penalties charged under division (G) or (H)(5) of section 4503.061 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Current taxes" means all manufactured home taxes charged against a manufactured or mobile home that have not appeared on the manufactured home tax list for any prior year. Current taxes become delinquent taxes if they remain unpaid after the last day prescribed for payment of the second installment of current taxes without penalty, whether or not they have been certified delinquent.

(3) "Delinquent taxes" means:

(a) Any manufactured home taxes that were charged against a manufactured or mobile home for a prior year, including any penalties or interest charged for a prior year, and that remain unpaid;

(b) Any current manufactured home taxes charged against a manufactured or mobile home that remain unpaid after the last day prescribed for payment of the second installment of current taxes without penalty, whether or not they have been certified delinquent, including any penalties or interest.

Sec. 5713.20. (A) If the county auditor discovers that any building, structure, or tract of land or any lot or part of either, has been omitted from the list of real property, the auditor shall add it to the list, with the name of the owner, and ascertain the taxable value thereof and place it opposite such property. The county auditor shall compute the sum of the simple taxes for the preceding years in which such the property was omitted from the list of real property, not exceeding five years, unless in the meantime the property has changed ownership, in which case only the taxes chargeable since the last change of ownership shall be computed. No penalty or interest shall be added to the amount of taxes so computed.

The county auditor shall order the county treasurer to correct the duplicate of real property accordingly, and shall certify to the county treasurer the sum of taxes determined by the county auditor under this section to be due on the omitted property. The county treasurer thereupon shall notify the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the sum of taxes due, and inform the owner that the owner may enter into a delinquent an omitted tax contract with the county treasurer to pay the taxes in installments, or that the owner, if the owner desires, may pay the amount of such taxes into the county treasury.

A delinquent (B) An omitted tax contract entered into under this section for the payment of taxes in installments shall require that the installments be payable at the times and in the amounts specified by the county treasurer in the contract. The owner may request, and the treasurer shall allow, a delinquent an omitted tax contract providing for payment in installments over no fewer than two years; however, the treasurer shall not permit a contract to provide for payment in installments over more than five years. Each installment payment shall be apportioned among the several funds for which the taxes on the omitted property would have been assessed had the property not been omitted, and shall be applied to the items of taxes charged in the order in which they became due. If an installment payment is not received by the county treasurer when due, or any payment of current taxes is not made when due, the contract becomes void, and the county treasurer shall order payment of the entire outstanding balance of taxes determined to be due under this section in one lump-sum payment.

Sec. 5719.051.  If the board of county commissioners deems it necessary, it may authorize the county treasurer to employ collectors to collect the taxes mentioned in section 5719.05 of the Revised Code or part thereof, and fix the salary compensation of such collectors, and provide for the reasonable and necessary expenses of such collectors in the pursuit of their duties, which shall be paid out of the county treasury. All such salaries compensation and expenses shall be apportioned ratably by the county auditor among all the funds entitled to share in the distribution of such the taxes.

Sec. 5721.021.  If the board of county commissioners serving a county with a population of at least two hundred thousand deems it necessary, it may, with the consent of the prosecuting attorney, authorize the county treasurer to employ collectors to collect the delinquent taxes on the list mentioned in section 5721.011 of the Revised Code, or part thereof, and fix the compensation of such collectors, and provide for the reasonable and necessary expenses of such collectors in the pursuit of their duties, which shall be paid out of the county treasury. All such compensation and expenses shall be apportioned ratably by the county auditor among all the funds entitled to share in the distribution of the taxes. As used in this section, "delinquent taxes" has the same meaning as under division (E) of section 323.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5721.10.  Except as otherwise provided under sections 5721.30 to 5721.42 5721.43 of the Revised Code, the state shall have the first lien on the lands and lots described in the delinquent land list, for the amount of taxes, assessments, interest, and penalty charged prior to the delivery of such list. If the taxes have not been paid for one year after having been certified as delinquent, the state shall institute foreclosure proceedings in the manner provided by sections 5721.01 to 5721.28 of the Revised Code, unless a tax certificate respecting that property has been sold under section 5721.32 or 5721.33 of the Revised Code, or unless such taxes are the subject of a valid delinquent tax contract under section 323.31 of the Revised Code for which the county treasurer has not made certification to the county auditor that the delinquent tax contract has become void. The court shall levy, as costs in the foreclosure proceedings instituted on said the certification of delinquency, the cost of an abstract or certificate of title to the property described in said the certification, if the same it is required by the court, to be paid into the general fund of the county. Sections 5721.01 to 5721.28 of the Revised Code do not prevent the partial payment of such delinquent taxes, assessments, interest, and penalty during the period the delinquency is being discharged in accordance with a delinquent tax contract under section 323.31 of the Revised Code, but such the partial payments may be made and received as provided by law without prejudice to the right of the state to institute foreclosure proceedings for any amount then remaining unpaid, if the county treasurer certifies to the county auditor that the delinquent tax contract has become void.

Sec. 5721.30.  As used in sections 5721.30 to 5721.42 5721.43 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Tax certificate," "certificate," or "duplicate certificate" means a document which that may be issued as a physical certificate, in book-entry form, or through an electronic medium, at the discretion of the county treasurer. Such document shall contain the information required by section 5721.31 of the Revised Code and shall be prepared, transferred, or redeemed in the manner prescribed by sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code. As used in those sections, "tax certificate," "certificate," and "duplicate certificate" do not refer to the delinquent land tax certificate or the delinquent vacant land tax certificate issued under section 5721.13 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Certificate parcel" means the parcel of delinquent land that is the subject of and is described in a tax certificate.

(C) "Certificate holder" means a person who purchases a tax certificate under section 5721.32 or, 5721.33, or 5721.42 of the Revised Code, or a person to whom a tax certificate has been transferred pursuant to section 5721.36 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Certificate purchase price" means, with respect to the sale of tax certificates under sections 5721.32 and, 5721.33, and 5721.42 of the Revised Code, the amount equal to delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest computed under section 323.121 of the Revised Code charged against a certificate parcel at the time the tax certificate respecting that parcel is sold, not including any delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges, the lien for which has been conveyed to a certificate holder through a prior sale of a tax certificate respecting that parcel; provided, however, that payment of the certificate purchase price in a sale under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code may be made wholly in cash or partially in cash and partially by noncash consideration acceptable to the county treasurer from the purchaser. In the event that any such noncash consideration is delivered to pay a portion of the certificate purchase price, such noncash consideration may be subordinate to the rights of the holders of other obligations whose proceeds paid the cash portion of the certificate purchase price.

"Certificate purchase price" also includes the amount of the fee charged by the county treasurer to the purchaser of the certificate under division (H) of section 5721.32 of the Revised Code.

(E) With respect to a sale of tax certificates under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code and except as provided in division (E)(3)(2) of this section, "certificate both of the following apply:

(1) "Certificate redemption price" means the amount determined under division (E)(1) or (2) of this section.

(1) During the first year after the date on which a tax certificate is sold, the sum of the following:

(a) The certificate purchase price;

(b) The plus the greater of the following:

(i)(a) Interest, at the certificate rate of interest, accruing during the certificate interest period on the certificate purchase price, calculated in accordance with section 5721.41 of the Revised Code;

(ii)(b) Six per cent of the certificate purchase price.

(c) The fee charged by the county treasurer to the purchaser of the certificate under division (H) of section 5721.32 of the Revised Code.

(2) After the first year after the date on which a tax certificate is sold, the sum of the following:

(a)(i) If division (E)(1)(b)(i) applied during the first year, the certificate purchase price;

(ii) If division (E)(1)(b)(ii) applied during the first year, the sum of the certificate purchase price plus six per cent of the certificate purchase price.

(b)(i) If division (E)(1)(b)(i) applied during the first year, interest at the certificate rate of interest accruing during the certificate interest period on the certificate purchase price;

(ii) If division (E)(1)(b)(ii) applied during the first year, interest at the certificate rate of interest, accruing during the part of the certificate interest period that begins one year after the date of the sale of the certificate, on the sum of the certificate purchase price plus six per cent of the certificate purchase price.

(c) The fee charged by the county treasurer to the purchaser of the certificate under division (H) of section 5721.32 of the Revised Code.

(3)(2) If the certificate rate of interest equals zero, the certificate redemption price equals the certificate purchase price plus the fee charged by the county treasurer to the purchaser of the certificate under division (H) of section 5721.32 of the Revised Code.

(F) With respect to a sale of tax certificates under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, "certificate redemption price" means the amount equal to the sum of the following:

(1) The certificate purchase price;

(2) Interest accrued on the certificate purchase price at the certificate rate of interest from the date on which a tax certificate is delivered through and including the day immediately preceding the day on which the certificate redemption price is paid;

(3) The fee, if any, charged by the county treasurer to the purchaser of the certificate under division (J) of section 5721.33 of the Revised Code;

(4) Any other fees charged by any county office in connection with the recording of tax certificates.

(G) "Certificate rate of interest" means the rate of simple interest per year bid by the winning bidder in an auction of a tax certificate held under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code, or the rate of simple interest per year not to exceed eighteen per cent per year fixed pursuant to section 5721.42 of the Revised Code or by the county treasurer with respect to any tax certificate sold pursuant to a negotiated sale under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Cash" means United States currency, certified checks, money orders, bank drafts, or electronic transfer of funds, and excludes any other form of payment.

(I) "The date on which a tax certificate is sold," "the date the certificate was sold," "the date the certificate is purchased," and any other phrase of similar content mean, with respect to a sale pursuant to an auction under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code, the date designated by the county treasurer for the submission of bids and, with respect to a negotiated sale under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, the date of delivery of the tax certificates to the purchasers thereof pursuant to a tax certificate sale/purchase agreement.

(J) "Purchaser of a tax certificate pursuant to section 5721.32 of the Revised Code" means the winning bidder in an auction of a tax certificate held under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code.

(K) "Certificate interest period" means, with respect to a tax certificate sold under section 5721.32 or 5721.42 of the Revised Code and for the purpose of accruing interest under section 5721.41 of the Revised Code, the period beginning on the date on which the certificate is purchased and, with respect to a tax certificate sold under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, the period beginning on the date of delivery of the tax certificate, and in either case ending on one of the following dates:

(1) In the case of foreclosure proceedings instituted under section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the date the certificate holder submits a payment to the treasurer under division (B) of that section;

(2) In the case of a certificate parcel redeemed under division (A) or (C) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code, the date the owner of record of the certificate parcel, or any other person entitled to redeem that parcel, pays to the county treasurer or to the certificate holder, as applicable, the full amount determined under that section.

(L) "County treasurer" means, with respect to the sale of tax certificates under section 5721.32, or 5721.33 of the Revised Code, the county treasurer of a county having a population of at least two hundred thousand according to the then most recent federal decennial census.

(M) "Qualified trustee" means a trust company within the state or a bank having the power of a trust company within the state with a combined capital stock, surplus, and undivided profits of at least one hundred million dollars.

(N) "Tax certificate sale/purchase agreement" means the purchase and sale agreement described in division (C) of section 5721.33 of the Revised Code setting forth the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium or less any applicable discount, including, without limitation, the amount thereof to be paid in cash and the amount and nature of any noncash consideration, the date of delivery of the tax certificates, and the other terms and conditions of the sale, including, without limitation, the rate of interest that the tax certificates shall bear.

(O) "Noncash consideration" means any form of consideration other than cash, including, but not limited to, promissory notes whether subordinate or otherwise.

(P) "Private attorney" means for purposes of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, any attorney licensed to practice law in this state, whether practicing with a firm of attorneys or otherwise, whose license has not been revoked or otherwise suspended and who brings foreclosure proceedings pursuant to section 5721.37 of the Revised Code on behalf of a certificate holder.

(Q) "Related certificate parcel" means, with respect to a certificate holder, the certificate parcel with respect to which the certificate holder has purchased and holds a tax certificate pursuant to sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code and, with respect to a tax certificate, the certificate parcel against which the tax certificate has been sold pursuant to those sections.

Sec. 5721.31.  (A) After receipt of a duplicate of the delinquent land list compiled under section 5721.011 of the Revised Code, or a delinquent land list compiled previously under that section, for a county having a population of at least two hundred thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, the county treasurer may select from the list parcels of delinquent land the lien against which the county treasurer may attempt to transfer by the sale of tax certificates under sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code. The county treasurer may select only those eligible parcels for which taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges have not yet been paid or for which a valid delinquent tax contract under section 323.31 of the Revised Code is not in force. Each certificate shall contain the same information as is required to be contained in the delinquent land list. The county treasurer shall compile a separate list, the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales, including the same information as is required to be included in the delinquent land list.

Upon compiling the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales, the county treasurer may conduct a title search for any parcel on the list.

(B)(1) When Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(3) of this section, when tax certificates are to be sold under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code with respect to parcels, the county treasurer shall send written notice by certified or registered mail to either the owner of record or all interested parties discoverable through a title search, or both, of each parcel on the list. A notice to an owner shall be sent to the owner's last known tax mailing address. The notice shall inform the owner or interested parties that a tax certificate will be offered for sale on the parcel, and that the owner or interested parties may incur additional expenses as a result of the sale.

(2) When Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(3) of this section, when tax certificates are to be sold under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code with respect to parcels, the county treasurer, at least sixty thirty days prior to the date of sale of such tax certificates, shall send written notice of the sale by certified or registered mail, or both, to the last known tax-mailing address of the record owner of the property or parcel or and may send such notice to all parties with an interest in the property that has been recorded in the property records of the county pursuant to section 317.08 of the Revised Code, or to such owner and all such parties. The notice shall state that a tax certificate will be offered for sale on the parcel, and that the owner or interested parties may incur additional expenses as a result of the sale.

(3) The county treasurer is not required to send a notice under division (B)(1) or (B)(2) of this section if the treasurer previously has attempted to send such notice to the owner of the parcel and the notice has been returned by the post office as undeliverable. The absence of a valid tax mailing address for the owner of a parcel does not preclude the county treasurer from selling a tax certificate for the parcel.

(C) The county treasurer shall advertise the sale of tax certificates under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, once a week for two consecutive weeks. The advertisement shall include the date, the time, and the place of the public auction, descriptions of the parcels, and the names of the owners of record of the parcels.

(D) After the county treasurer has compiled the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales but before a tax certificate respecting a parcel is sold, if the owner of record of the parcel pays to the county treasurer in cash the full amount of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges then due and payable or enters into a valid delinquent tax contract under section 323.31 of the Revised Code to pay that amount, the owner of record of the parcel also shall pay a fee in an amount prescribed by the treasurer to cover the administrative costs of the treasurer under this section respecting the parcel and credited to the tax certificate administration fund.

(E) A tax certificate administration fund shall be created in the county treasury of each county selling tax certificates under sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code. The fund shall be administered by the county treasurer, and used solely for the purposes of sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code. Any fee received by the treasurer under sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code shall be credited to the fund, except the bidder registration fee under division (B) of section 5721.32 of the Revised Code and the county prosecuting attorney's fee under division (B)(3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code.

(F) The county treasurers of more than one county may jointly conduct a regional sale of tax certificates under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code. A regional sale shall be held at a single location in one county, where the tax certificates from each of the participating counties shall be offered for sale at public auction. Before the regional sale, each county treasurer shall advertise the sale for the parcels in the treasurer's county as required by division (C) of this section. At the regional sale, tax certificates shall be sold on parcels from one county at a time, with all of the certificates for one county offered for sale before any certificates for the next county are offered for sale.

(G) The tax commissioner shall prescribe the form of the tax certificate under this section, and county treasurers shall use the form prescribed by the commissioner.

Sec. 5721.32.  (A) The sale of tax certificates by public auction may be conducted at any time after completion of the advertising of the sale under section 5721.31 of the Revised Code, on the date and at the time and place designated in the advertisements, and may be continued from time to time as the county treasurer directs. The county treasurer may offer the tax certificates for sale in blocks of tax certificates, consisting of any number of tax certificates as determined by the county treasurer.

(B)(1) The sale of tax certificates under this section shall be conducted at a public auction by the county treasurer or a designee of the county treasurer.

(2) No person shall be permitted to bid without completing a bidder registration form, in the form prescribed by the tax commissioner, and filing the form with the county treasurer prior to the start of the auction, together with remittance of a registration fee, in cash, of five hundred dollars. The bidder registration form shall include a tax identification number of the registrant. The registration fee is refundable at the end of bidding on the day of the auction, unless the registrant is the winning bidder for one or more tax certificates or one or more blocks of tax certificates, in which case the fee may be applied toward the deposit required by this section.

(3) The county treasurer may require a person who wishes to bid on one or more parcels to submit a letter from a financial institution stating that the bidder has sufficient funds available to pay the purchase price of the parcels and a written authorization for the treasurer to verify such information with the financial institution. The county treasurer may require submission of the letter and authorization sufficiently in advance of the auction to allow for verification. No person who fails to submit the required letter and authorization, or whose financial institution fails to provide the requested verification, shall be permitted to bid.

(C) At the auction, the county treasurer or the treasurer's designee or agent shall begin the bidding at eighteen per cent per year simple interest, and accept lower bids in even increments of one-fourth of one per cent to the rate of zero per cent. The county treasurer, designee, or agent shall award the tax certificate to the person bidding the lowest certificate rate of interest.

(D) The winning bidder shall pay the county treasurer a cash deposit of at least ten per cent of the certificate purchase price not later than the close of business on the day of the sale. The winning bidder shall pay the balance and the fee required under division (H) of this section not later than five business days after the day on which the certificate is sold. If the winning bidder fails to pay the balance and fee within the prescribed time, the bidder forfeits the deposit, and the county treasurer shall retain the tax certificate and may attempt to sell it at any auction conducted at a later date. The county treasurer shall deposit the forfeited deposit in the county treasury to the credit of the tax certificate administration fund.

(E) Upon receipt of the full payment of the certificate purchase price from the purchaser, the county treasurer shall issue the tax certificate and record the tax certificate sale by marking on the tax certificate and into a tax certificate register, the certificate purchase price, the certificate rate of interest, the date the certificate was sold, and the name and address of the certificate holder, which may be, upon receipt of instructions from the purchaser, the secured party of the actual purchaser, or an agent or custodian for the purchaser or secured party. The county treasurer also shall transfer the tax certificate to the certificate holder and, upon presentation to the treasurer of instructions signed by the certificate purchaser, shall record in the tax certificate register the name and address of any secured party of the certificate purchaser having a security interest in the tax certificate. Upon the transfer of a tax certificate, the county treasurer shall apportion the part of the proceeds from the sale representing taxes, penalties, and interest among the several taxing districts in the same proportion that the amount of taxes levied by each district against the certificate parcel in the preceding tax year bears to the taxes levied by all such districts against the certificate parcel in the preceding tax year, and credit the part of the proceeds representing assessments and other charges to the items of assessments and charges in the order in which those items became due. Upon completion of the sale of a tax certificate, the delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest that make up the certificate purchase price are transferred, and the superior lien of the state and its taxing districts for those taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest is conveyed intact to the certificate holder.

(F) If a tax certificate is offered for sale under this section but is not sold, the county treasurer may strike the corresponding certificate parcel from the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales. The lien for taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest against a parcel stricken from the list thereafter may be foreclosed in the manner prescribed by section 323.25, 5721.14, or 5721.18 of the Revised Code unless, prior to the institution of such proceedings against the parcel, the county treasurer restores the parcel to the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales.

(G) A certificate holder shall not be liable for damages arising from a violation of sections 3737.87 to 3737.891 or Chapter 3704., 3734., 3745., 3746., 3750., 3751., 3752., 6109., or 6111. of the Revised Code, or a rule adopted or order, permit, license, variance, or plan approval issued under any of those chapters, that is or was committed by another person in connection with the parcel for which the tax certificate is held.

(H) When selling a tax certificate under this section, the county treasurer shall charge a fee to the purchaser of the certificate. The county treasurer shall set the fee at a reasonable amount that covers the treasurer's costs of administering the sale of the tax certificate. The county treasurer shall deposit the fee in the county treasury to the credit of the tax certificate administration fund.

(I) After selling a tax certificate under this section, the county treasurer shall send written notice by certified or registered mail to the owner of the certificate parcel at the owner's last known tax-mailing address. The notice shall inform the owner that the tax certificate was sold, shall describe the owner's options to redeem the parcel, including entering into a redemption payment plan under division (C)(1) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code, and shall name the certificate holder and its secured party, if any.

(J) A tax certificate shall not be sold to the owner of the certificate parcel.

Sec. 5721.33.  (A) A county treasurer may, in the treasurer's discretion, negotiate the sale of any number of tax certificates with one or more persons, including, without limitation, any premium to be added to or discount to be subtracted from the certificate purchase price for the tax certificates and any other terms of the sale that the county treasurer, in the treasurer's discretion, determines appropriate or necessary for the sale.

(B) The sale of tax certificates under this section shall be governed by the criteria established by the county treasurer pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(C) The county treasurer may execute a tax certificate sale/purchase agreement and other necessary agreements with a designated purchaser or purchasers to complete a negotiated sale of tax certificates.

(D) The tax certificate may be sold at a premium to or discount from the certificate purchase price. The county treasurer may establish as one of the terms of the negotiated sale the portion of the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium or less any applicable discount, that the purchaser or purchasers shall pay in cash on the date the tax certificates are sold and the portion, if any, of the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium or less any applicable discount, that the purchaser or purchasers shall pay in noncash consideration and the nature of that consideration.

The county treasurer shall sell such tax certificates at a certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, and at a certificate rate of interest that, in the treasurer's determination, is are in the best interests of the county.

(E)(1) The county treasurer may promulgate shall adopt rules governing the eligibility of persons to purchase tax certificates or to otherwise participate in a negotiated sale under this section. The rules may provide for precertification of such persons, including a requirement for disclosure of income, assets, and any other financial information the county treasurer determines appropriate. The rules may also may prohibit any person that is delinquent in the payment of any tax to the county or to the state, or that is in default in or on any other obligation to the county or to the state, from purchasing a tax certificate or otherwise participating in a negotiated sale of tax certificates under this section. The eligibility information required shall include the tax identification number of the purchaser and may include the tax identification number of the participant. The county treasurer, upon request, shall provide a copy of the rules adopted under this section.

(2) Any person that intends to purchase a tax certificate in a negotiated sale shall submit an affidavit to the county treasurer that establishes compliance with the applicable eligibility criteria and includes any other information required by the treasurer. Any person that fails to submit such an affidavit is ineligible to purchase a tax certificate. Any person that knowingly submits a false or misleading affidavit shall forfeit any tax certificate or certificates purchased by the person at a sale for which the affidavit was submitted, shall be liable for payment of the full certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, of the tax certificate or certificates, and shall be disqualified from participating in any tax certificate sale conducted in the county during the next five years.

(3) A tax certificate shall not be sold to the owner of the certificate parcel or to any corporation, partnership, or association in which such owner has an interest. No person that purchases a tax certificate in a negotiated sale shall assign or transfer the tax certificate to the owner of the certificate parcel or to any corporation, partnership, or association in which the owner has an interest. Any person that knowingly or negligently transfers or assigns such a tax certificate to the owner of the certificate parcel or to any corporation, partnership, or association in which such owner has an interest shall be liable for payment of the full certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, and shall not be entitled to a refund of any amount paid. Such tax certificate shall be deemed void and the tax lien sold under such the tax certificate shall revert to the county as if no sale of such the tax certificate had occurred.

(F) The purchaser in a negotiated sale under this section shall deliver the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount and including any noncash consideration, to the county treasurer not later than the close of business on the date the tax certificates are delivered to the purchaser. The certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, or portion of the price, that is paid in cash shall be deposited in the county's general fund to the credit of the account to which ad valorem real property taxes are credited and further credited as provided in division (G) of this section. The purchaser shall also shall pay on the date the tax certificates are delivered to the purchaser the fee, if any, negotiated under division (J) of this section. If the purchaser fails to pay the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, and any such fee within the time periods required by this section, the county treasurer shall retain the tax certificate and may attempt to sell it at any auction or negotiated sale conducted at a later date.

(G) Upon receipt of the full payment of the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, and the negotiated fee, if any, from the purchaser, the county treasurer, or a qualified trustee whom the treasurer has engaged for such purpose, shall issue the tax certificate and record the tax certificate sale by marking on each of the tax certificates sold or, if issued in book-entry form, on the global tax certificate, and marking into a tax certificate register, the certificate purchase price, any premium paid or discount taken, the certificate rate of interest, the date the certificates were sold, and the name and address of the certificate holder or, in the case of issuance of the tax certificates in a book-entry system, the name and address of the nominee, which may be, upon receipt of instructions from the purchaser, the secured party of the actual purchaser, or an agent or custodian for the purchaser or secured party. The county treasurer also shall transfer the tax certificates to the certificate holder and, upon presentation to the treasurer of instructions signed by the certificate purchaser or purchasers, shall record in the tax certificate register the name and address of any secured party of the certificate purchaser or purchasers having a security interest in the tax certificate. Upon the transfer of the tax certificates, the county treasurer shall apportion the part of the cash proceeds from the sale representing taxes, penalties, and interest among the several taxing districts in the same proportion that the amount of taxes levied by each district against the certificate parcels in the preceding tax year bears to the taxes levied by all such districts against the certificate parcels in the preceding tax year, and credit the part of the proceeds representing assessments and other charges to the items of assessments and charges in the order in which those items became due. If the cash proceeds from the sale are not sufficient to fully satisfy the items of outstanding delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges on the certificate parcels against which tax certificates were sold, the county treasurer shall credit the cash proceeds to such items pro rata based upon the proportion that each such item of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges bears to the aggregate of all such items, or by any other method that the county treasurer, in the treasurer's sole discretion, determines is equitable. Upon completion of the sale of the tax certificates, the delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest that make up the certificate purchase price are transferred, and the superior lien of the state and its taxing districts for those taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest is conveyed intact to the certificate holder or holders.

(H) If a tax certificate is offered for sale under this section but is not sold, the county treasurer may strike the corresponding certificate parcel from the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales. The lien for taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest against a parcel stricken from the list thereafter may be foreclosed in the manner prescribed by section 323.25, 5721.14, or 5721.18 of the Revised Code unless, prior to the institution of such proceedings against the parcel, the county treasurer restores the parcel to the list of parcels selected for tax certificate sales.

(I) Neither a certificate holder nor its secured party, if any, shall be liable for damages arising from a violation of sections 3737.87 to 3737.891 or Chapter 3704., 3734., 3745., 3746., 3750., 3751., 3752., 6109., or 6111. of the Revised Code, or a rule adopted or order, permit, license, variance, or plan approval issued under any of those chapters, that is or was committed by another person in connection with the parcel for which the tax certificate is held.

(J) When selling a tax certificate under this section, the county treasurer may negotiate with the purchaser of the certificate for a fee paid by the purchaser to the treasurer to reimburse the treasurer for any part or all of the treasurer's costs of preparing for and administering the sale of the tax certificate. Such fee, if any, shall be added to the certificate purchase price of the certificate and shall be paid by the purchaser on the date of delivery of the tax certificate. The county treasurer shall deposit the fee in the county treasury to the credit of the tax certificate administration fund.

(K) After selling tax certificates under this section, the county treasurer shall send written notice by certified or registered mail to the last known address of the owner of the certificate parcel. The notice shall inform the owner that a tax certificate with respect to such owner's parcel was sold and shall describe the owner's options to redeem the parcel, including entering into a redemption payment plan under division (C)(2) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5721.34.  (A) A county treasurer shall not sell any tax certificate respecting a parcel of delinquent land upon which the full amount of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, charges, and costs then due and payable have been paid, or with respect to which a valid delinquent tax contract under section 323.31 of the Revised Code to pay that amount has been entered into, prior to the sale of the certificate by the county treasurer. A certificate sold in violation of this section is void.

(B) If, within sixty days after the date of the sale of a tax certificate, the county treasurer discovers that the certificate is void under division (A) of this section, the holder of the void certificate is entitled to a refund of the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, and the fee charged by the treasurer under division (H) of section 5721.32 or division (J) of section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, as applicable. If the county treasurer discovers after makes the discovery more than sixty days from after the certificate's date of sale that a tax certificate is void, the holder of the void certificate also is entitled to a refund equal to the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, and the treasurer's fee, plus interest on the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount, at the rate of five per cent per year. The holder of a void certificate shall present the certificate to the county treasurer to obtain shall notify the certificate holder that the certificate is void and shall issue the refund, and the. The county auditor shall issue a warrant for the amount portion of the refund from the undivided tax fund, which portion consists of the certificate purchase price, plus any applicable premium and less any applicable discount; the portion of the refund consisting of interest and the treasurer's fee shall be paid from the tax certificate administration fund.

(C) With respect to a tax certificate sold under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code and found to be void under division (A) of this section, in addition to the remedies available under division (B) of this section, the county treasurer may, with the approval of the certificate holder, substitute for such tax certificate or portion thereof another tax certificate that has a value equivalent to the value of the tax certificate found to be void. Whenever a tax certificate of such equivalent value is to be substituted for a tax certificate that has been found to be void, the county treasurer shall provide written notice of the intention to substitute such a tax certificate of equivalent value to any person required to be notified under division (I) of section 5721.32 of the Revised Code.

(D) If an application for the exemption from and remission of taxes made under section 3735.67 or 5715.27 of the Revised Code, or under any other section of the Revised Code under the jurisdiction of the director of environmental protection, is granted for a parcel for which a tax certificate has been sold, the county treasurer shall refund to the certificate holder, in the manner provided in this section, the amount of any taxes exempted or remitted that were included in the certificate purchase price. If the whole amount of the taxes included in the certificate purchase price are exempted or remitted, the tax certificate is void. If all of the taxes that were included in the certificate purchase price are not exempted or remitted, the county treasurer shall adjust the tax certificate register to reflect the remaining amount of taxes that were not exempted or remitted, and notify the certificate holder of the adjustment in writing.

Sec. 5721.37.  (A)(1) With respect to a tax certificate purchased under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code, or section 5721.42 of the Revised Code in counties to which section 5721.32 of the Revised Code applies, at any time after one year from the date shown on the tax certificate as the date the tax certificate was sold, and not later than three years after that date, the certificate holder may file with the county treasurer a request for foreclosure, or a private attorney on behalf of the certificate holder may file with the county treasurer a notice of intent to foreclose, on a form prescribed by the tax commissioner and provided by the county treasurer, provided the parcel has not yet been redeemed under division (A) or (C) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code.

(2) With respect to a tax certificate purchased under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, or section 5721.42 of the Revised Code in counties to which section 5721.33 of the Revised Code applies, at any time after one year from the date shown on the tax certificate as the date the tax certificate was sold, and not later than six years after that date or any extension of that date pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code, a private attorney on behalf of the certificate holder may file with the county treasurer a notice of intent to foreclose on a form prescribed by the tax commissioner and provided by the county treasurer, provided the parcel has not yet been redeemed under division (A) or (C) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code.

(3) If (a) With respect to a tax certificate purchased under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code or section 5721.42 of the Revised Code in counties to which section 5721.32 of the Revised Code applies, if, before the expiration of three years from after the date a tax certificate was sold, the owner of property for which the certificate was sold files a petition in bankruptcy, the county treasurer shall notify the certificate holder by ordinary first-class or certified mail of the filing of the petition, and. If the owner of the property files a petition in bankruptcy, the last day on which the certificate holder may file a request for foreclosure shall be is the later of three years from after the date the certificate was sold or one hundred eighty days after the bankruptcy case is closed; however, the three-year period being measured from the date that the certificate was sold is tolled while the owner of the property's petition in bankruptcy is being heard and remains open.

(b) With respect to a tax certificate purchased under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code or section 5721.42 of the Revised Code in counties to which section 5721.33 of the Revised Code applies, if, before the expiration of six years after the date a tax certificate was sold, the owner of the property files a petition in bankruptcy, the county treasurer shall notify the certificate holder by ordinary first-class or certified mail of the filing of the petition. If the owner of the property files a petition in bankruptcy, the last day on which the certificate holder may file a notice of intent to foreclose is the later of six years after the date that the tax certificate was sold or one hundred eighty days after the bankruptcy case is closed; however, the six-year period being measured after the date that the certificate was sold is tolled while the owner of the property's petition in bankruptcy is being heard and remains open.

(4) If, before the expiration of three years from the date a tax certificate was sold, the owner of property for which the certificate was sold applies for an exemption under section 3735.67 or 5715.27 of the Revised Code or under any other section of the Revised Code under the jurisdiction of the director of environmental protection, the county treasurer shall notify the certificate holder by ordinary first-class or certified mail of the filing of the application. Once a determination has been made on the exemption application, the county treasurer shall notify the certificate holder of the determination by ordinary first-class or certified mail. The last day on which the certificate holder may file a request for foreclosure shall be the later of three years from the date the certificate was sold or forty-five days after notice of the determination was mailed.

(B) Along with a request for foreclosure or a notice of intent to foreclose filed under division (A)(1) of this section, or a notice of intent to foreclose filed under division (A)(2) of this section and prior to the transfer of title in connection with foreclosure proceedings filed under division (F) of this section, the certificate holder shall submit a payment to the county treasurer equal to the sum of the following:

(1) The certificate redemption prices of all outstanding tax certificates that have been sold on the parcel, other than tax certificates held by the person requesting foreclosure;

(2) Any delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges that are charged against the certificate parcel that is the subject of the foreclosure proceedings and that are not covered by a tax certificate;

(3) If the foreclosure proceedings are filed by the county prosecuting attorney pursuant to section 323.25, 5721.14, or 5721.18 of the Revised Code, a fee in the amount prescribed by the county prosecuting attorney to cover the prosecuting attorney's legal costs incurred in the foreclosure proceeding;

(4) If the foreclosure proceedings are filed by a private attorney on behalf of the certificate holder pursuant to division (F) of this section, any other prior liens.

(C)(1) With respect to a certificate purchased under section 5721.32 or 5721.42 of the Revised Code, if the certificate parcel has not been redeemed, the county treasurer, within five days after receiving a foreclosure request, shall inform the county prosecuting attorney that the parcel has not been redeemed and shall provide a copy of the foreclosure request. The county treasurer also shall send notice by ordinary mail to all certificate holders other than the certificate holder requesting foreclosure that foreclosure has been requested by a certificate holder and that tax certificates for the certificate parcel may be redeemed. Within ninety days of receiving the copy of the foreclosure request, the prosecuting attorney shall commence a foreclosure proceeding in the name of the county treasurer in the manner provided under section 323.25, 5721.14, or 5721.18 of the Revised Code, to foreclose the lien vested in the certificate holder by the certificate. The prosecuting attorney shall attach to the complaint the county treasurer's certification that the parcel has not been redeemed.

(2) With respect to a certificate purchased under section 5721.32, 5721.33, or 5721.42 of the Revised Code, if the certificate parcel has not been redeemed and a notice of intent to foreclose has been filed, the county treasurer shall provide certification to the private attorney that the parcel has not been redeemed. The county treasurer also shall send notice by ordinary mail to all certificate holders other than the certificate holder represented by the attorney that a notice of intent to foreclose has been filed and that tax certificates for the certificate parcel may be redeemed. After receipt of that certification, the private attorney may commence a foreclosure proceeding in the name of the certificate holder in the manner provided under division (F) of this section, to foreclose the lien vested in the certificate holder by the certificate. The private attorney shall attach to the complaint the county treasurer's certification that the parcel has not been redeemed.

(D) The county treasurer shall credit the amount received under division (B)(1) of this section to the tax certificate redemption fund. The tax certificates respecting the payment shall be redeemed as provided in division (E) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code. The amount received under division (B)(2) of this section shall be distributed to the taxing districts to which the delinquencies are owed. The county treasurer shall deposit the fee received under division (B)(3) of this section in the county treasury to the credit of the delinquent tax and assessment collection fund. The amount received under division (B)(4) of this section shall be distributed to the holder of the prior lien.

(E)(1) If, in the case of a certificate purchased under section 5721.32 or 5721.42 of the Revised Code, the certificate holder does not file with the county treasurer a request for foreclosure or a notice of intent to foreclose along with the required payment within three years after the date shown on the tax certificate as the date the certificate was sold, and during that period the parcel is not redeemed or foreclosed upon, the certificate holder's lien against the parcel for the amount of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges that make up the certificate purchase redemption price is canceled.

(2)(a) If, in the case of a certificate purchased under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, the certificate holder does not file with the county treasurer a notice of intent to foreclose with respect to a certificate parcel within six years after the date shown on the tax certificate as the date the certificate was sold or any extension of that date pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 5721.38 of the Revised Code, and during that period the parcel is not redeemed, the certificate holder's lien against the parcel for the amount of delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges that make up the certificate purchase price is canceled, subject to division (E)(2)(b) of this section.

(b) In the case of any tax certificate purchased under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code prior to the effective date of this amendment October 10, 2000, the county treasurer, upon application by the certificate holder, may sell to the certificate holder a new certificate extending the three-year period prescribed by division (E)(2) of this section, as that division existed prior to that effective date October 10, 2000, to six years after the date shown on the original certificate as the date it was sold or any extension of that date. The county treasurer and the certificate holder shall negotiate the premium, in cash, to be paid for the new certificate sold under this section. If the county treasurer and certificate holder do not negotiate a mutually acceptable premium, the county treasurer and certificate holder may agree to engage a person experienced in the valuation of financial assets to appraise a fair premium for the new certificate. The certificate holder has the option to purchase the new certificate for the fair premium so appraised. Not less than one-half of the fee of the person so engaged shall be paid by the certificate holder requesting the new certificate; the remainder of the fee shall be paid from the proceeds of the sale of the new certificate. If the certificate holder does not purchase the new certificate for the premium so appraised, the certificate holder shall pay the entire fee. The county treasurer shall credit the remaining proceeds from the sale to the items of taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges in the order in which they became due.

A certificate issued under this division vests in the certificate holder and its secured party, if any, the same rights, interests, privileges, and immunities as are vested by the original certificate under sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code, except that interest payable under division (B) of section 5721.38 or division (B) of section 5721.39 of the Revised Code shall be subject to the amendments to those divisions by Sub. H.B. 533 of the 123rd general assembly. The certificate shall be issued in the same form as the form prescribed for the original certificate issued except for any modifications necessary, in the county treasurer's discretion, to reflect the extension under this division of the certificate holder's lien to six years after the date shown on the original certificate as the date it was sold or any extension of that date. The certificate holder may record a certificate issued under division (E)(2)(b) of this section or memorandum thereof as provided in division (B) of section 5721.35 of the Revised Code, and the county recorder shall index the certificate and record any subsequent cancellation of the lien as provided in that section. The sale of a certificate extending the lien under division (E)(2)(b) of this section does not impair the right of redemption of the owner of record of the certificate parcel or of any other person entitled to redeem the property.

(F) With respect to tax certificates purchased under section 5721.32, 5721.33, or 5721.42 of the Revised Code, upon the delivery to the certificate holder by the county treasurer of the certification provided for under division (C)(2) of this section, a private attorney may institute a foreclosure proceeding under this division in the name of the certificate holder to foreclose such holder's lien, in any court with jurisdiction, unless the certificate redemption price is paid prior to the time a complaint is filed. The attorney shall prosecute the proceeding to final judgment and satisfaction, whether through sale of the property or the vesting of title and possession in the certificate holder.

The foreclosure proceedings under this division, except as otherwise provided in this division, shall be instituted and prosecuted in the same manner as is provided by law for the foreclosure of mortgages on land, except that, if service by publication is necessary, such publication shall be made once a week for three consecutive weeks and the service shall be complete at the expiration of three weeks after the date of the first publication.

Any notice given under this division shall include the name of the owner of the parcel as last set forth in the records of the county recorder, the owner's last known mailing address, the address of the subject parcel if different from that of the owner, and a complete legal description of the subject parcel. In any county that has adopted a permanent parcel number system, such notice may include the permanent parcel number in addition to a complete legal description.

It is sufficient, having been made a proper party to the foreclosure proceeding, for the certificate holder to allege in such holder's complaint that the tax certificate has been duly purchased by the certificate holder, that the certificate redemption price appearing to be due and unpaid is due and unpaid, and that there is a lien against the property described in the tax certificate, without setting forth in such holder's complaint any other special matter relating to the foreclosure proceeding. The prayer of the complaint shall be that the court issue an order that the property be sold by the sheriff or, if the action is in the municipal court, by the bailiff, in the manner provided in section 5721.19 of the Revised Code, unless the complaint includes an appraisal by an independent appraiser acceptable to the court that the value of the certificate parcel is less than the certificate purchase price. In that case, the prayer of the complaint shall be that fee simple title to the property be transferred to and vested in the certificate holder free and clear of all subordinate liens.

In the foreclosure proceeding, the certificate holder may join in one action any number of tax certificates relating to the same owner, provided that all parties on each of the tax certificates are identical as to name and priority of interest. However, the decree for each tax certificate shall be rendered separately and any proceeding may be severed, in the discretion of the court, for the purpose of trial or appeal. The court shall make such order for the payment of all costs related directly or indirectly to the redemption of the tax certificate, including, without limitation, attorney's fees of the holder's attorney, as is considered proper. The tax certificate purchased by the certificate holder is presumptive evidence in all courts and in all proceedings, including, without limitation, at the trial of the foreclosure action, of the amount and validity of the taxes, assessments, charges, penalties by the court and added to such principal amount, and interest appearing due and unpaid and of their nonpayment.

(G) For the purposes of this section, "prior liens" means liens that are prior in right to the lien with respect to the tax certificate that is the subject of the foreclosure proceedings.

(H) If a parcel is sold under this section, the officer who conducted the sale shall collect the recording fee from the purchaser at the time of the sale and, following confirmation of the sale, shall prepare and record the deed conveying the title to the parcel to the purchaser.

Sec. 5721.38.  (A) At any time prior to payment to the county treasurer by the certificate holder to initiate foreclosure proceedings under division (B) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the owner of record of the certificate parcel, or any other person entitled to redeem that parcel, may redeem the parcel by paying to the county treasurer an amount equal to the total of the certificate redemption prices of all tax certificates respecting that parcel plus the sum of taxes, assessments, penalties, charges, and interest charged against the parcel that have become due and payable since the date the last certificate was sold.

(B) At any time after payment to the county treasurer by the certificate holder to initiate foreclosure proceedings under section 5721.37 of the Revised Code and prior to the filing of the entry of confirmation of sale of a certificate parcel under foreclosure proceedings filed by the county prosecuting attorney or prior to the decree conveying title to the certificate holder as provided for in division (F) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the owner of record of the certificate parcel or any other person entitled to redeem that parcel may redeem the parcel by paying to the county treasurer the sum of the following amounts:

(1) The amount described in division (A) of this section;

(2) Interest on the certificate purchase price for each tax certificate sold respecting the parcel at the rate of eighteen per cent per year for the period beginning on the day on which the payment was submitted by the certificate holder and ending on the day the parcel is redeemed under this division, except that such interest shall not accrue for more than three years after the day the certificate was purchased if the certificate holder did not submit payment under division (B) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code before the end of that three-year period;

(3) An amount equal to the sum of the prosecuting attorney's fee under division (C)(1)(B)(3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code if the tax certificate was purchased under section 5721.32 or 5721.42 of the Revised Code;. If the parcel is redeemed before the complaint has been filed, the prosecuting attorney shall adjust the fee to reflect services performed to the date of redemption and the county treasurer shall refund any excess to the certificate holder.

(4) Any other costs and fees of the proceeding allocable to the certificate parcel as determined by the court. Upon receipt of such payments, the county treasurer shall refund the payment made by the certificate holder to initiate foreclosure proceedings.

(C)(1) During the period beginning on the date a tax certificate is sold under section 5721.32 of the Revised Code and ending one year from that date, the county treasurer may enter into a redemption payment plan with the owner of record of the certificate parcel or any other person entitled to redeem that parcel. The plan shall require the owner or other person to pay the certificate redemption price for the tax certificate in installments, with the final installment due no later than one year after the date the tax certificate is sold. The certificate holder may at any time, by written notice to the county treasurer, agree to accept installments collected to the date of notice as payment in full. Receipt of such notice by the treasurer shall constitute satisfaction of the payment plan and redemption of the tax certificate.

(2) During the period beginning on the date a tax certificate is sold under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code and ending on the date the decree is rendered on the foreclosure proceeding under division (F) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the owner of record of the certificate parcel, or any other person entitled to redeem that parcel, may enter into a redemption payment plan with the certificate holder and all secured parties of the certificate holder. The plan shall require the owner or other person to pay the certificate redemption price for the tax certificate, an administrative fee not to exceed one hundred dollars per year, and the actual fees and costs incurred, in installments, with the final installment due no later than three years after the date the tax certificate is sold. The certificate holder shall give written notice of the plan to the applicable county treasurer within sixty days after entering into the plan and written notice of default under the plan within ninety days after the default. If such a plan is entered into, the time period for filing a notice of intent to foreclose under section 5721.37 of the Revised Code is extended by the length of time the plan is in effect and not in default.

(D)(1) Immediately upon receipt of full payment under division (A) or (B) of this section, the county treasurer shall make an entry to that effect in the tax certificate register and notify each certificate holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the parcel has been redeemed and the lien canceled and that the tax certificates may be redeemed. The county treasurer shall deposit into the tax certificate redemption fund created in the county treasury an amount equal to the total of the certificate redemption prices, together with interest on the certificate purchase price for each tax certificate sold respecting the parcel at the rate of eighteen per cent per year paid under division (B) of this section for the period beginning when the payment was submitted by the certificate holder under division (B) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code and ending when the parcel was redeemed. The county treasurer shall administer the fund for the purpose of redeeming tax certificates. Interest earned on the fund shall be credited to the county general fund.

(2) If a redemption payment plan is entered into pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, the county treasurer immediately shall notify each certificate holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the terms of the plan. Installment payments made pursuant to the plan shall be deposited in the tax certificate redemption fund. Any overpayment of the installments shall be refunded to the person responsible for causing the overpayment if the person applies for a refund under this section. If the person responsible for causing the overpayment fails to apply for a refund under this section within five years from the date the plan is satisfied, an amount equal to the overpayment shall be deposited into the general fund of the county.

Upon satisfaction of the plan, the county treasurer shall indicate in the tax certificate register that the plan has been satisfied, and shall notify each certificate holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the plan has been satisfied and that tax certificates may be redeemed.

If a plan becomes void, the county treasurer immediately shall notify each certificate holder by certified mail, return receipt requested. If a certificate holder files a request for foreclosure under section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, upon the filing of the request for foreclosure, any money paid under the plan shall be refunded to the person that paid the money under the plan.

(E) To redeem a tax certificate with respect to which payment has been made in full under division (A), (B), or (C)(1) of this section or division (B)(1) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the certificate holder shall present the tax certificate to the county treasurer, who shall prepare the redemption information. Upon presentation, the county auditor shall draw a warrant on the tax certificate redemption fund in the amount of the certificate redemption price and any applicable interest payable at the rate of eighteen per cent annually on the certificate under division (B) of this section. For a parcel that was redeemed under division (B) of this section, the certificate holder who paid the amounts under division (B) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code shall be reimbursed for those amounts, together with interest at the rate of eighteen per cent per year on the amount paid under division (B)(1) of that section for the period beginning when the payment was submitted by the certificate holder under division (B) of that section and ending when the parcel was redeemed. The treasurer shall mark all copies of the tax certificate "redeemed" and return the certificate to the certificate holder. The canceled certificate shall serve as a receipt evidencing redemption of the tax certificate. If a certificate holder fails to redeem a tax certificate within five years after notice is served under division (D) of this section that tax certificates may be redeemed, an amount equal to the certificate redemption price and any applicable interest payable at the rate of eighteen per cent annually on the certificate under division (B) of this section shall be deposited into the general fund of the county.

Sec. 5721.39.  In its judgment of foreclosure rendered with respect to actions filed pursuant to section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, the court shall enter a finding with respect to the certificate parcel of the amount of the sum of the certificate redemption prices respecting all the tax certificates sold against the parcel; interest on the certificate purchase prices of those certificates at the rate of eighteen per cent per year for the period beginning on the day on which the payment was submitted by the certificate holder under division (B) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code; any delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges on the parcel that are not covered by a tax certificate; and fees and costs incurred in the foreclosure proceeding instituted against the parcel, including, without limitation, the fees and costs of the prosecuting attorney represented by the fee paid under division (B)(3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code or the fees and costs of the private attorney representing the certificate holder, and charges paid or incurred in procuring title searches and abstracting services relative to the subject premises. The court may order the certificate parcel to be sold, without appraisal, in the manner provided for in division (F) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code and as set forth in the prayer of the complaint, for not less than the amount of its finding, or, in the event that the court finds that the value of the certificate parcel is less than the certificate purchase price, the court may, as prayed for in the complaint, issue a decree transferring fee simple title free and clear of all subordinate liens to the certificate holder. A decree of the court transferring such fee simple title to the certificate holder is forever a bar to all rights of redemption with respect to the certificate parcel.

Each certificate parcel shall be advertised and sold by the officer to whom the order of sale is directed in the manner provided by law for the sale of real property on execution. The advertisement for sale of certificate parcels shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks and shall include the date on which a second sale will be conducted if no bid is accepted at the first sale. Any number of parcels may be included in one advertisement.

Whenever the officer charged to conduct the sale offers a certificate parcel for sale and no bids are made equal to at least the amount of the court's finding, the officer shall adjourn the sale of the parcel to the second date that was specified in the advertisement of sale. The second sale shall be held at the same place and commence at the same time as set forth in the advertisement of sale. The officer shall offer any parcel not sold at the first sale. Upon the conclusion of any sale, or if any parcel remains unsold after being offered at two sales, the officer conducting the sale shall report the results to the court.

Upon the confirmation of a sale, the proceeds of the sale shall be applied as follows:

(A) The fees and costs incurred in the proceeding filed against the parcel pursuant to section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, not including the county prosecutor's costs covered by the fee paid by the certificate holder under division (B)(3) of that section, shall be paid first.

(B) Following the payment required by division (A) of this section, the certificate holder that requested the foreclosure shall be paid the sum of the following amounts:

(1) The sum of the amount found due for the certificate redemption prices of all the tax certificates, other than those certificates described in division (B)(1) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, that are sold against the parcel to the certificate holder requesting a notice of foreclosure;

(2) Any premium paid by the certificate holder at the time of purchase;

(3) Interest on the certificate purchase prices of those certificates amounts paid by the certificate holder under division (B)(1) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code at the rate of eighteen per cent per year beginning on the day on which the payment was submitted by the certificate holder to the county treasurer and ending on the day immediately preceding the day on which the proceeds of the foreclosure sale are paid to the certificate holder;

(4) Interest on the amounts paid by the certificate holder under divisions (B)(2) and (3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code at the rate of eighteen per cent per year beginning on the day on which the payment was submitted by the certificate holder under division (B) divisions (B)(2) and (3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code and ending on the day immediately preceding the day on which the proceeds of the foreclosure sale are paid to the certificate holder pursuant to this section, except that such interest shall not accrue for more than three six years after the day the certificate was purchased amounts were paid by the certificate holder under divisions (B)(2) and (3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code if the certificate holder did not submit that payment before the end of that three-year six-year period;

(4)(5) The amounts paid by the certificate holder under divisions (B)(1), (2), and (3) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code.

(C) Following the payment required by division (B) of this section, any amount due for taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest not covered by the tax certificate holder's payment under division (B)(2) of section 5721.37 of the Revised Code shall be paid, including all taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest payable subsequent to the entry of the finding and prior to the transfer of the deed of the parcel to the purchaser following confirmation of sale. If the proceeds available for distribution pursuant to this division are insufficient to pay the entire amount of those taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest, the proceeds shall be paid to each claimant in proportion to the amount of those taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest that each is due, and those taxes, assessments, charges, penalties, and interest are deemed satisfied and shall be removed from the tax list and duplicate.

Any residue of money from proceeds of the sale shall be disposed of as prescribed by section 5721.20 of the Revised Code.

Unless the parcel previously was redeemed pursuant to section 5721.25 or 5721.38 of the Revised Code, upon the filing of the entry of confirmation of sale, the title to the parcel is incontestable in the purchaser and is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, except a federal tax lien, notice of which lien is properly filed in accordance with section 317.09 of the Revised Code prior to the date that a foreclosure proceeding is instituted pursuant to section 5721.37 of the Revised Code, and which lien was foreclosed in accordance with 28 U.S.C.A. 2410(c), and except for the easements and covenants of record running with the land or lots that were created prior to the time the taxes or assessments, for the nonpayment of which a tax certificate was issued and the parcel sold at foreclosure, became due and payable.

The title shall not be invalid because of any irregularity, informality, or omission of any proceedings under this chapter, or in any processes of taxation, if such irregularity, informality, or omission does not abrogate the provision for notice to holders of title, lien, or mortgage to, or other interests in, such foreclosed parcels, as prescribed in this chapter.

Sec. 5721.40.  If any certificate parcel is twice offered for sale pursuant to section 5721.39 of the Revised Code and remains unsold for want of bidders, the officer who conducted the sales shall certify to the court that the parcel remains unsold after two sales. The court, by entry, shall order the parcel forfeited to the certificate holder who filed the request for foreclosure or notice of intent to foreclose under section 5721.37 of the Revised Code. The clerk of the court shall certify copies of the court's order to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall notify the certificate holder by ordinary and certified mail, return receipt requested, that the parcel remains unsold, and shall instruct the certificate holder of the manner in which the holder shall obtain the deed to the parcel. The officer who conducted the sales shall prepare and record the deed conveying title to the parcel to the certificate holder.

Upon transfer of the deed to the certificate holder under this section, all right, title, claim, and interest in the certificate parcel are transferred to and vested in the certificate holder.

Sec. 5721.41.  Interest required under sections 5721.30 to 5721.41 5721.43 of the Revised Code is simple interest. Interest charges under those sections shall accrue on a monthly basis, on the first day of the month following the beginning of the period during which interest accrues and on the first day of each subsequent month. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the six per cent charge described in division (E)(1)(b) of section 5721.30 of the Revised Code shall apply even if the tax certificate is redeemed before the first day of the month following the date that the certificate is purchased.

Sec. 5721.43. (A) No person shall directly, through an agent, or otherwise initiate contact with the owner of a parcel with respect to which the person holds a tax certificate to encourage or demand payment before one year has elapsed following the purchase of the certificate.

(B) A county treasurer may bar any person who violates division (A) of this section from bidding at a tax certificate sale conducted by the treasurer.

(C)(1) The attorney general or county prosecuting attorney, upon written request of a county treasurer, shall bring an action for an injunction against any person who has violated, is violating, or is threatening to violate division (A) of this section.

(2) Any person who violates division (A) of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each offense to be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. Upon written request of a county treasurer, the attorney general or county prosecuting attorney shall commence an action against any such violator. Any action under this division is a civil action, governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure and other rules of practice and procedure applicable to civil actions.

SECTION 2. That existing sections 135.143, 135.22, 135.341, 135.35, 152.17, 154.01, 154.08, 175.09, 319.302, 321.24, 321.46, 323.121, 323.31, 4503.06, 5713.20, 5719.051, 5721.10, 5721.30, 5721.31, 5721.32, 5721.33, 5721.34, 5721.37, 5721.38, 5721.39, 5721.40, and 5721.41 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3. If a county treasurer is able to document that the amount certified under former section 319.311 of the Revised Code and paid under division (G)(1) of section 321.24 of the Revised Code in the state's fiscal year 2003 was incorrect, the county treasurer may file an amended certification with the Tax Commissioner not later than June 30, 2004, and the Tax Commissioner may, for purposes of division (G) of section 321.24 of the Revised Code, amend the certified amount accordingly.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding Section 3 of Am. Sub. S.B. 143 of the 124th General Assembly, as subsequently amended by Section 8 of Sub. S.B. 47 of the 125th General Assembly and Section 134.14 of Am. Sub. H.B. 95 of the 125th General Assembly, the enactment of section 5741.05 of the Revised Code by Am. Sub. S.B. 143 of the 124th General Assembly shall take effect January 1, 2005. The General Assembly intends by enacting this section to clarify that the operation of section 5741.05 of the Revised Code was to be coordinated with the revised effective dates to amended section 5739.033 of the Revised Code that were made by Sub. S.B. 47 of the 125th General Assembly and Sub. H.B. 127 of the 125th General Assembly.

SECTION 5.  Sections 5721.37, 5721.38, and 5721.39 of the Revised Code are presented in this act as composites of the sections as amended by both Sub. H.B. 493 and Sub. H.B. 533 of the 123rd General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composites are the resulting versions of the sections in effect prior to the effective date of the sections as presented in this act.

Please send questions and comments to the Webmaster.
© 2024 Legislative Information Systems | Disclaimer