2019 -- H 5051

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LC000088

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Vella-Wilkinson, Morin, Solomon, and
Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-17.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled

"Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates.

     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall design and issue under

regulations that he or she deems appropriate, special courtesy automobile, veterans', motorcycle,

and commercial registration plates to be used on passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, and all

commercial vehicles whose gross weight is not more than nine thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.) in

lieu of other number plates, except for special courtesy veterans' plates to be used on passenger

motor vehicles, motorcycles, and all commercial vehicles whose gross weight is not more than

twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.), and shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of

§31-3-53. Special plates shall be of such design and shall bear such letters or combinations of

letters and numbers as the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall prescribe, and

shall be made of light-reflecting sheeting applied on a metal base, provided that no automobile set

of plates shall contain more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination of letters and

numbers, or less than two (2) letters, and that no motorcycle plate shall contain more than five (5)

letters or more than five (5) letters and numbers in a combination or less than two (2) letters, and

that a commercial courtesy plate shall be marked "commercial," and shall contain no more than

six (6) letters or more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination or less than two (2)

letters, and provided further, that there shall be no duplication of identification and the

administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, in his or her discretion, refuse to issue any

letter or combination of letters and numbers that might carry connotations offensive to good taste

and decency. A special automobile or commercial courtesy plate shall be issued upon application

using forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, and upon payment,

in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a service charge of sixty

dollars ($60.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. For motorcycles, a special

courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by the division of motor

vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a

service charge of thirty-four dollars ($34.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. The

service charge shall be paid to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles prior to the

administrator's acceptance of the application. The Rhode Island state lottery commission shall not

be required to pay the service charge for any special courtesy plate issued pursuant to this section

for motor vehicles owned or used by the lottery commission, and may utilize the special courtesy

plates on all types of vehicles owned or operated by the lottery commission.

     (b) For any vehicle that is registered in accordance with § 31-1-3(a), the division of motor

vehicles may also issue or approve, subject to rules and regulations that may be promulgated by

the administrator, a courtesy registration plate in accordance with the provisions of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would allow the division of motor vehicles to issue courtesy veterans' plates.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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