OAR 735-040-0045: Group Registration Plates; Nonprofit Groups and Institutions of Higher Education; Approved Before August 12, 2015

(1) Effective August 12, 2015, chapter 806, Oregon Laws 2015, eliminated the creation of new group registration plates under ORS 805.205. This rule sets forth the eligibility requirements for current, active and inactive nonprofit groups and institutions of higher education (collectively referred to in this rule as “group”) approved for the issuance of group registration plates before the effective date of the legislative act. (2) To remain eligible for the issuance of group registration plates, a group described under section (1) of this rule must: (a) Maintain documentation sufficient to demonstrate to DMV that: (A) For a nonprofit group, the group meets the qualifications for tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (B) For a group that is an institution of higher education, the group meets the definition in OAR 735-040-0040(5); (C) For a group representing an institution of higher education, the group has written authorization from the institution to obtain higher education group plates on behalf of that institution; (D) The group has established membership, officers and bylaws, and the group, or a chapter of the group is physically located in Oregon; (E) The group is authorized to use any artwork, image, name, logo, mark, slogan, letter or word that appears on the group’s plate; and (F) The information submitted to DMV regarding the financial institution selected by the group for the deposit of plate surcharge amounts collected by DMV from the sale of the group’s plate is up-to-date. (b) Maintain and provide to DMV the current name, address and phone number of: (A) Each group official, officer or director; and (B) The person authorized by the group to act as the group’s representative for purposes of the group’s plate. (c) Submit an Annual Statement of Continuing Eligibility (DMV Form 735-6942) to DMV certifying the group continues to meet the requirements for group plates under ORS 805.205 and DMV rules. The statement is due no later than 30 days after the date of receiving an annual renewal of eligibility letter from DMV. (3) DMV may request a group to provide any information it considers necessary to verify the group is eligible for the issuance of group plates. (4) DMV will withdraw the group’s eligibility and cease to issue a group’s plate if: (a) The group fails to meet any requirement under section (2) of this rule; (b) The group fails to provide any information requested by DMV; (c) The group is not authorized to use an image, name, logo or design that appears on the group’s plate; (d) The group fails to submit an Annual Statement of Continuing Eligibility form as required under subsection (2)(c) of this rule; or (e) The group fails to meet or comply with any other requirements for group plates under ORS 805.205 or DMV rule. (5) DMV shall cease production of a group’s plate if: (a) DMV does not sell or issue renewal for 500 sets of the group’s plate in any one year. For purposes of this subsection, the year begins on the first day of the month the group’s plate was initially available for sale; (b) The group ceases to exist or becomes ineligible for the issuance of special registration plates under ORS 805.205, or DMV rule; or (c) DMV determines any artwork, image, name, logo, mark, slogan, letter or word that appears on the group’s plate contains an expression of political opinion, religious belief, or violates any provision of the Oregon Vehicle Code, or DMV rule relating to registration plate content. (6) Except for the reason described in subsection (5)(a) of this rule, when DMV ceases production of a group’s plate it will destroy all remaining plate inventory. (7) DMV will notify the group in writing if DMV withdraws the group’s eligibility or ceases production or issuance of the group’s plate. (8) The group must notify DMV immediately if: (a) There is a change in any information listed on the group’s most recent application or annual eligibility statement; or (b) The group ceases to exist or no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a nonprofit group under ORS 805.205 or DMV rule.