1. (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. (1) ten (10) years have elapsed since the special group was admitted into the special group recognition license plate program; or

   2. (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review of the special group by the special group recognition license plate committee established by IC 2-5-36.2-4 (repealed) or the committee as required under this section.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.

2. (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.

3. (c) Upon receiving a recommendation of termination for a special group under subsection (a), the bureau may:

   1. (1) terminate the special group from participation in the special group recognition license plate program; or
   2. (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.

4. (d) If the bureau terminates the participation of a special group under subsection (c)(1):

   1. (1) the bureau may not issue additional special group recognition license plates of the special group to plateholders; and

   2. (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.

5. (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. (1) establish the duration of the set period under subsection (c)(2); and

   2. (2) require the special group to submit to the bureau:

      1. (A) evidence of the criteria set forth in section 3 of this chapter; and
      2. (B) any additional information the bureau determines is necessary.

6. (f) The bureau shall:

   1. (1) review the evidence and additional information submitted by a special group under subsection (e)(2); and
   2. (2) determine whether to terminate or continue the participation of the special group in the special group recognition license plate program.
7. (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.

8. (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. (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. (2) Place restrictions on or temporarily suspend the sales of special group recognition license plates for the special group.
   3. (3) Require the special group to appear before the commission for review or reinstatement, or both.

9. (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.