2021 -- H 5412

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Noret, Vella-Wilkinson, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2021

     Referred To: House Special Legislation

     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 expand the classes of licensed vehicles eligible to obtain courtesy veterans'

plates.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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