2013 -- H 5741

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LC01057

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representative Teresa A. Tanzi

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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     31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates. -- The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall

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design and issue under regulations that he or she deems appropriate, special courtesy automobile,

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

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

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pounds (9,000 lbs.) in lieu of other number plates. Special plates shall be of such design and shall

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bear such letters or combinations of letters and numbers as the administrator of the division of

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motor vehicles shall prescribe, and shall be made of light-reflecting sheeting applied on a metal

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base, provided that no automobile set of plates shall contain more than six (6) letters and numbers

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in a combination of letters and numbers, or less than two (2) letters, and that no motorcycle plate

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shall contain more than five (5) letters or more than five (5) letters and numbers in a combination

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or less than two (2) letters, and that a commercial courtesy plate shall be marked "commercial,"

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and shall contain no more than six (6) letters or more than six (6) letters and numbers in a

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combination or less than two (2) letters, and provided further, that there shall be no duplication of

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identification and the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall in his or her discretion

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refuse to issue any letter or combination of letters and numbers which might carry connotations

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offensive to good taste and decency. A special automobile or commercial courtesy plate shall be

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issued upon application using forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor

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

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service charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. For

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motorcycles, a special courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by

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the division of motor vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor

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vehicle registration fee, a service charge of thirty-four dollars ($34.00) for each issue and for each

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registration renewal. The service charge shall be paid to the administrator of the division of motor

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vehicles prior to the administrator's acceptance of the application. The Rhode Island state lottery

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commission shall not be required to pay the service charge for any special courtesy plate issued

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pursuant to this section for motor vehicles owned or used by the lottery commission, and may

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utilize the special courtesy plates on all types of vehicles owned or operated by the lottery

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commission.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01057

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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 permit courtesy plates on all vehicles.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01057

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