COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Two Ohio senators have proposed a law that would require Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices to offer visitors assistance with obtaining unclaimed funds.
Senate Bill 243, sponsored by Sens. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson), would mandate registrars and deputy registrars of motor vehicles ask each person conducting an in-person transaction if they would like to check if they have unclaimed funds.
If so, the BMV worker would have to complete the check and help the visitor submit a claim if they choose to. Introduced in July, the legislation also would direct BMVs to adopt policies, procedures and forms necessary to make this change.
“Lots of people have no clue that they have money,” DeMora said. “I think it’s common sense and we should be helping people get back money that they’re owed.”
Unclaimed funds are money held by the state that many residents may be unaware they possess, from sources such as inactive bank accounts and uncashed checks. Anyone can check if they have unclaimed funds and file a claim to obtain their money through the Ohio Department of Commerce’s website. Currently, the state holds about $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds, according to the agency.
DeMora said he was inspired to introduce the bill after legislators passed a controversial provision in the state budget in late June that allocated $600 million of unclaimed funds to help the Cleveland Browns pay for a new stadium. See NBC4’s previous coverage in the video player above.
“The fact that we’re giving $600 million of people’s money, taxpayers’ money to the Browns to build a stadium, it is ridiculous,” DeMora said.
Under the budget, unclaimed money that is not collected within 10 years of entering the pool will revert to the state to use for a “Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility” fund. The budget immediately designated $1.7 billion for the fund, including the first grant of $600 million for the Cleveland Browns stadium. The predominantly Republican lawmakers who support the project believe it puts idle money to good use.
DeMora’s recent effort is not the only piece of legislation that has been introduced this year as a result of the Browns stadium funding plan. DeMora introduced another bill in April that would ban public money from going to a professional sports franchise unless the team has a winning record in three of the last five seasons. He did, however, previously say he was not confident that the bill will pass but he hopes it sends a message.
“If a team wants to get taxpayer money, then the least they can do is have a winning season…” he said in an April news release.
Two other Democratic lawmakers also introduced a bill earlier this month that would bar lawmakers from accepting free or discounted professional sports tickets, arguing receiving such gifts could pose a conflict of interest after lawmakers passed the Browns funding plan.
SB 243 awaits a committee assignment and its first hearing. Four Democrats currently cosponsor the bill.
