Ind. Code ch. 9-18.5-12

Ind. Code ch. 9-18.5-12
in effect

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-1 "Committee"

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "committee" means the interim study committee on roads and transportation established by IC 2-5-1.3-4. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-0.5.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-2 Exemptions from chapter

Sec. 2. This chapter does not apply to the following: (1) Historic vehicle license plates (IC 9-18.5-34). (2) Personalized license plates (IC 9-18.5-2). (3) Disabled Hoosier veteran license plates (IC 9-18.5-5). (4) Purple Heart license plates (IC 9-18.5-6). (5) National Guard license plates (IC 9-18.5-7). (6) Person with a disability license plates (IC 9-18.5-8). (7) Amateur radio operator license plates (IC 9-18.5-9). (8) In God We Trust license plates (IC 9-18.5-11). (9) Pearl Harbor survivor license plates (IC 9-18.5-24). (10) Lewis and Clark expedition license plates (IC 9-18.5-26). (11) National Football League franchised football team license plates (IC 9-18.5-28). (12) Hoosier veteran license plates (IC 9-18.5-29). (13) Support our troops license plates (IC 9-18.5-30). (14) Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home license plates (IC 9-18.5-31). (15) Indiana Gold Star family member license plates (IC 9-18.5-33). (16) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates (IC 9-18.5-35). [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-1.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.256-2017, SEC.140; P.L.147-2018, SEC.9; P.L.29-2021, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-3 Application; review

Sec. 3. (a) A special group that seeks initial participation in the special group recognition license plate program must submit a completed application to the bureau not later than April 1 for potential issuance in the following year. The application must contain the following: (1) The name and address of the resident agent of the special group. (2) Evidence of governance by a board of directors consisting of at least five (5) members, a majority of whom are outside directors, who meet at least semiannually to establish policy for the special group and review the accomplishments of the special group. (3) A copy of the: (A) ethics statement; (B) constitution and bylaws; and (C) articles of incorporation as an entity that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; of the special group. (4) Copies of the last three (3) consecutive: (A) annual reports; and (B) annual generally accepted auditing standards or government auditing standards audits; of the special group. (5) Evidence of appropriate use of resources and compliance with federal and state laws, including evidence of appropriate management and internal controls in order to ensure: (A) compliance with law; (B) that finances are used in compliance with the purpose statement of the special group; and (C) maintenance as an entity that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. (6) Evidence of transparency of financial and operational activities to include availability of current financial statements at any time upon the request of the bureau or a donor to the special group. (7) Evidence of internal controls to prevent conflict of interest by board members and employees. (8) A petition with the dated signatures of at least one thousand (1,000) residents of Indiana, obtained during a single calendar year, who pledge to purchase the special group recognition license plate. (9) A statement of the designated use of any annual fee to be collected by the bureau. (10) A copy of a certified motion passed by the board of directors of the special group requesting that the special group recognition license plate be issued by the bureau and stating the designated use of any annual fee to be collected by the bureau. (11) Evidence of statewide public benefit from the special group. (12) Evidence of statewide public benefit from the use of the annual fee collected by the bureau. (13) Evidence that the special group's use of the annual fee to be collected by the bureau and the organizational purpose statement of the special group conform with at least one (1) of the following categories: (A) Direct health care or medical research. (B) Fraternal or service organizations. (C) Government and quasi-government. For purposes of this clause, a special group that designates the use of the fees collected for deposit in the capital projects fund established by IC 9-18.5-28-5(a) is considered to have a quasi-government purpose. (D) Military and veterans' affairs. (E) Public and transportation safety. (F) A state educational institution (as defined in IC 21-7-13-32) or an approved postsecondary educational institution (as defined in IC 21-7-13-6) for scholarships for Indiana residents. (G) Agriculture, animals, and environment. (14) Evidence that the organization has prohibitions and internal controls prohibiting advocacy of the following: (A) Violation of federal or state law. (B) Violation of generally accepted ethical standards or societal behavioral standards. (C) Individual political candidates. (b) The bureau shall review the application for a special group recognition license plate that has been submitted to the bureau under subsection (a). Upon satisfaction to the bureau of the completeness of the information in the application, the bureau shall forward the application to the executive director of the legislative services agency in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 for review by the committee. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-2.3.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.227-2025, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-4 New special group recognition plates; review by legislative committee; limitations

Sec. 4. (a) The committee shall review applications for special group recognition license plates that have been forwarded to the committee by the bureau under section 3 of this chapter. (b) After reviewing the applications, the committee shall: (1) compile a list recommending new special group recognition license plates; and (2) forward to the bureau by written means the list of recommended special groups that meet the suitability for issuance of a special group recognition license plate. The committee may not recommend more than five (5) new special group recognition license plates to the bureau under this subsection in a calendar year. (c) After receiving the list forwarded under subsection (b)(2), the bureau shall conduct an independent review of the applications, taking into consideration the recommendations of the committee. The bureau may issue a special group recognition license plate in the absence of a positive recommendation from the committee. However, the bureau may not issue a special group recognition license plate unless the license plate has first been reviewed by the committee and has been given a positive or negative recommendation to the bureau regarding that special group. (d) The bureau may not issue more than five (5) special group recognition license plates for the first time in a year. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-2.5.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-5 Periodic review of previously issued special group recognition license plates

Sec. 5. (a) Beginning July 1, 2023, and each year thereafter, the bureau shall forward to the executive director of the legislative services agency in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 for review by the committee the name of a special group for whom: (1) ten (10) years have elapsed since the special group was admitted into the special group recognition license plate program; or (2) ten (10) years have elapsed since the previous review of the special group by the special group recognition license plate committee established by IC 2-5-36.2-4 (repealed) or the committee as required under this section. Upon receipt of the name of a special group, except for a petition under section 3(a)(8) of this chapter, the committee shall require the special group to submit to the committee evidence of the criteria set forth in section 3 of this chapter. Upon submission of the criteria, the committee shall review the suitability of the special group to continue participating in the special group recognition license plate program. In the review, the committee shall consider the criteria set forth in section 3 of this chapter and may seek additional evidence of the criteria from a special group. The committee shall recommend to the bureau that participation in the special group recognition license plate program be terminated if the committee finds that termination is appropriate because the special group is not suitable for inclusion in the special group license plate program. (b) If a special group was subject to a decennial review under this section before July 1, 2023, then the next review occurs in the year which is a multiple of ten (10) years after the year of the special group's admittance to the special group recognition license plate program under this section. (c) Upon receiving a recommendation of termination for a special group under subsection (a), the bureau may: (1) terminate the special group from participation in the special group recognition license plate program; or (2) allow the special group to continue participating in the special group recognition license plate program for a period of not more than eighteen (18) months. (d) If the bureau terminates the participation of a special group under subsection (c)(1): (1) the bureau may not issue additional special group recognition license plates of the special group to plateholders; and (2) a plateholder may not renew a special group recognition license plate of the special group. If the special group desires to continue participating in the special group recognition license plate program, the special group must submit an application to the bureau containing the criteria set forth in section 3 of this chapter. The bureau shall then follow the procedure set forth in section 3 of this chapter. (e) If the bureau allows a special group to continue participating in the special group recognition license plate program for a period under subsection (c)(2), the bureau shall: (1) establish the duration of the set period under subsection (c)(2); and (2) require the special group to submit to the bureau: (A) evidence of the criteria set forth in section 3 of this chapter; and (B) any additional information the bureau determines is necessary. (f) The bureau shall: (1) review the evidence and additional information submitted by a special group under subsection (e)(2); and (2) determine whether to terminate or continue the participation of the special group in the special group recognition license plate program. (g) After the review under subsection (f), if the bureau terminates the participation of the special group and the special group desires to continue participating, the special group must submit an application to the bureau containing the criteria set forth in section 3 of this chapter. The bureau shall then follow the procedure set forth in section 3 of this chapter. (h) After the review under subsection (f), if the bureau continues the participation of the special group in the special group recognition license plate program, the bureau may do one (1) or more of the following: (1) Allow the special group to remedy the defect or the violation that caused the special group to not be suitable for inclusion in the special group recognition license plate program. (2) Place restrictions on or temporarily suspend the sales of special group recognition license plates for the special group. (3) Require the special group to appear before the commission for review or reinstatement, or both. (i) The bureau may suspend the issuance of a special group recognition license plate for a special group if the bureau, upon investigation, has determined that the special group has advocated or committed a violation of federal or state law. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-2.7.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.111-2021, SEC.24; P.L.211-2023, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-6 Total number of special group recognition license plates in circulation

Sec. 6. The total number of special group recognition license plate designs in circulation each year may not exceed one hundred fifty (150). [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-2.8.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-7 Design and emblem

Sec. 7. The design of a special group recognition license plate issued under this chapter must be a distinct design and include an emblem that identifies the vehicle as being registered to a person who is a member of a special group. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-3.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-8 Special group representatives; design conference; group membership list

Sec. 8. The bureau: (1) shall require representatives of a special group to confer with the bureau concerning the design of the emblem that identifies the vehicle as being registered to a person that is a member of a special group; and (2) may request a list of the names and addresses of the persons that are: (A) members of the special group; and (B) eligible for a special group recognition license plate. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-5.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-9 Issuance only to qualified persons

Sec. 9. The bureau may issue a license plate under this chapter only to a person that qualifies for a special group recognition license plate. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-8.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-10 Transfer of plates

Sec. 10. A person that owns a vehicle on which is displayed a special group recognition license plate may transfer the special group recognition license plate from the vehicle to another vehicle that is registered to the person under this title. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-9.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-11 Repealed

[Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-12.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Repealed by P.L.256-2017, SEC.141.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-12 Violation

Sec. 12. A person that violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-13.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-13 Sales requirement for continued participation and issuance of plates; termination

Sec. 13. (a) In order to continue participation in the special group recognition license plate program, a special group must: (1) sell at least: (A) for a special group recognition license plate issued before January 1, 2026, five hundred (500) special group recognition license plates of the special group; and (B) for a special group recognition license plate issued after December 31, 2025, one thousand (1,000) special group recognition license plates of the special group; in the first two (2) years in which the license plate is offered for sale; and (2) maintain the sale or renewal of at least: (A) for a special group recognition license plate issued before January 1, 2026, five hundred (500) special group recognition license plates; and (B) for a special group recognition license plate issued after December 31, 2025, one thousand (1,000) special group recognition license plates; during each subsequent year after the initial two (2) year period of sale. (b) If the special group fails to sell or renew special group recognition license plates in the manner provided in subsection (a), the bureau shall place the issuance of the special group recognition license plates for the special group on probation for the subsequent year. If, in that subsequent year on probation, the special group fails to sell or renew the number of special group recognition license plates required under subsection (a), the bureau shall terminate the participation of the special group in the special group recognition license plate program. If the special group sells or renews at least the number of special group recognition license plates required under subsection (a) in the year on probation, the participation of the special group in the special group recognition license plate program is continued. A special group shall be afforded only one (1) probationary period under this subsection. (c) The bureau may terminate the participation of a special group in the special group recognition license plate program if the special group: (1) ceases operations; or (2) fails to use the annual fee collected by the bureau in a manner consistent with the statement submitted by the special group under section 3(a)(9) of this chapter. (d) A special group that desires to participate in the special group recognition license plate program after termination by the bureau under this section: (1) must follow the procedure set forth in section 3 of this chapter; and (2) may not reapply to participate in the special group recognition license plate program for at least two (2) years after termination. (e) Upon termination under this section of a special group's participation in the special group recognition license plate program, the bureau shall distribute any money remaining in the trust fund established under section 14 of this chapter for the special group to the state general fund. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-15.5.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.178-2019, SEC.43; P.L.118-2022, SEC.8; P.L.227-2025, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-14 Sales of special group plates in excess of 5,000; fees and trust funds

Sec. 14. (a) This section applies to a special group if at least five thousand (5,000) of the special group's license plates are issued under this chapter during one (1) calendar year beginning after December 31, 2004. (b) The representatives of the special group may petition the bureau to design a distinctive license plate that identifies a vehicle as being registered to a person who is a member of the special group. (c) The design of the special group license plate must include a basic design for the special group recognition license plate, with consecutive numerals or letters, or both, to properly identify the vehicle. (d) Beginning with the calendar year following the year in which the representatives petition the bureau under subsection (b), the bureau shall issue the special group's license plate to a person that is eligible to register a vehicle under this title and does the following: (1) Completes an application for the license plate. (2) Pays an annual special group recognition license plate fee of twenty-five dollars ($25). (e) The annual fee referred to in subsection (d)(2) and any other amounts remitted to the bureau as required under law shall be collected by the bureau and deposited in a trust fund for the special group established under subsection (f). However, the bureau shall retain two dollars ($2) for each license plate issued until the cost of designing and issuing the special group license plate is recovered by the bureau. (f) The treasurer of state shall establish a trust fund for each special group for which the bureau collects fees under this section. (g) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds are invested. Interest that accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the fund. Money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the purposes of this section. Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. (h) The bureau shall administer the fund. Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. (i) On June 30 of each year, the bureau shall distribute the money from the fund to the special group for which the bureau has: (1) collected fees under this section; or (2) received and deposited amounts as required by law. (j) The bureau may not disclose information that identifies the persons to whom special group license plates have been issued under this section. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-17.5.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-15 Special group plates; collection of annual fee by bureau

Sec. 15. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, representatives of a special group that participates in the special group recognition plate program may request that the bureau collect an annual fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) or less on behalf of the special group. (b) If a request is made under subsection (a), the bureau shall collect an annual fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) or less, as requested by the special group. (c) The annual fee referred to in subsection (b) shall be collected by the bureau and deposited in a trust fund for the special group established under subsection (d). (d) The treasurer of state shall establish a trust fund for each special group for which the bureau collects fees under this section. (e) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same manner as other public funds are invested. Interest that accrues from these investments shall be deposited in the fund. Money in the fund is continuously appropriated for the purposes of this section. Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. (f) The bureau shall administer the fund. Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money in the fund. (g) Before June 30 of each year, the bureau shall distribute the money from the fund to the special group for which the bureau has collected fees under this section. (h) Subject to section 16 of this chapter, the bureau may not disclose information that identifies the persons to whom special group license plates have been issued under this section. (i) If: (1) representatives of a special group have collected an annual fee as set forth in subsection (a) from purchasers of the special group recognition license plates that was paid directly to the special group; and (2) the representatives of the special group request the bureau to collect the annual fee on behalf of the special group as set forth in subsection (a); representatives of the special group may request the bureau to change the method of collection of the annual fee for the following calendar year. The representatives of the special group must make a request under this subsection by July 1 of the year preceding the year for which the change has been requested. The group may request only one (1) change in the method of collection in a calendar year. (j) If: (1) the bureau collects an annual fee as set forth in subsection (a) on behalf of a special group; and (2) representatives of the special group request the bureau to cease collection of the annual fee as set forth in subsection (a) on behalf of the special group, as the annual fee will be paid directly to the special group by purchasers of the special group recognition license plates; representatives of the special group may request the bureau to change the method of collection of the annual fee for the following calendar year. The representatives of the special group must make a request under this subsection by July 1 of the year preceding the year for which the change has been requested. The group may request only one (1) change in the method of collection in a calendar year. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-17.7.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.256-2017, SEC.142.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-16 Collection of annual supplemental fee by bureau

Sec. 16. (a) Except as provided in IC 9-18.5-28, the bureau shall collect an annual supplemental fee of fifteen dollars ($15) with respect to each special group recognition license plate issued under this article. The annual supplemental fee is in addition to a fee imposed under section 14(d)(2) or 15(b) of this chapter. (b) An annual supplemental fee collected under subsection (a) shall be distributed as follows: (1) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund. (2) One dollar ($1) to the crossroads 2000 fund. (3) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund. (4) Five dollars ($5) to the commission fund. (5) Any remaining amount to the motor vehicle highway account. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-29-5-38(a).] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.256-2017, SEC.143; P.L.152-2026, SEC.118.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-17 Disclosure to special group of personal information on application

Sec. 17. (a) This section applies to an application form for a special group recognition license plate that: (1) is subject to an annual special group fee; and (2) does not require an applicant to obtain authorization from the special group that sponsors the license plate. (b) The application form must allow the applicant to choose to allow the disclosure of personal information to the special group that sponsors the license plate for which the applicant is applying. (c) The bureau must inform the applicant that: (1) the special group may contact the applicant with information about its activities but may not use the applicant's personal information primarily for fundraising or solicitation purposes; (2) the bureau will not disclose the applicant's personal information to any other person or group; and (3) the special group will not disclose the applicant's personal information to any other person or group without the applicant's written consent. (d) If an applicant chooses to allow disclosure under subsection (b), the bureau may disclose personal information about the applicant included on the application form only to the special group that sponsors the license plate. (e) If a special group receives personal information disclosed under subsection (d), the special group: (1) may contact the applicant with information about the special group's activities; (2) may not contact the applicant primarily for fundraising or solicitation purposes; and (3) may not disclose the applicant's personal information to any other person or group without the applicant's written consent. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-18.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327. Amended by P.L.256-2017, SEC.144.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-18 Agreements between bureau and special groups

Sec. 18. The bureau and a special group may enter into agreements to do the following: (1) Restrict the issuance of the special group's license plates to individuals authorized by the special group. (2) Restrict the issuance of the special group's license plates with numbers one (1) through one hundred (100) to individuals authorized by the special group. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-19.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.

Ind. Code § 9-18.5-12-19 Disclosure of personal information; permissible uses

Sec. 19. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of this chapter, the bureau shall disclose personal information included on the application form for a special group recognition license plate from a special group described in section 3(a)(13)(F) of this chapter unless the applicant makes an affirmative statement against the disclosure. (b) If the applicant does not make an affirmative statement against disclosure as described in subsection (a), the bureau shall disclose personal information about the applicant included on the application form only to the special group that sponsors the license plate. (c) If a special group receives personal information disclosed under subsection (a), the special group may: (1) contact the applicant with information about activities of the special group; (2) not contact the applicant primarily for fundraising or solicitation purposes; and (3) not disclose the personal information of the applicant to any other person or group without the written consent of the applicant. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-25-20.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.327.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026