2026 -- H 7989 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC005266/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Representatives Baginski, and Biah

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration

of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-3-18. Display of plates — Penalties.

     (a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer,

transporter vehicle, in-transit vehicle, or a bailee engaged in a business as defined in § 31-1-17(a),

or other than a motor vehicle owned by a duly authorized dealer in motor vehicles and which is

used in the dealer’s business shall be attached thereto one in the front and the other in the rear. The

registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, bailee, or a dealer’s motor vehicle as defined in

this subsection shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.

     (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any motor vehicle that, as

manufactured and delivered for sale, is not equipped with a manufacturer-provided front

registration plate bracket, mounting point, or other manufacturer-provided means or location

intended for the attachment and display of a front registration plate, shall not be required to display

a front registration plate, and shall be in compliance with this section if:

     (i) One registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is properly attached to the

rear of the vehicle; and

     (ii) The second registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is carried within the

vehicle and displayed by the driver upon demand of a duly sworn law enforcement officer.

     (b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position

to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging at a height of not less

than twelve inches (12") from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate; in a place and

position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition

to be clearly legible.

     (c) Penalties. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of

a violation and subject to a fine as enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

     (d) All vehicles registered as passenger, commercial, trailer, motorcycle, suburban, farm,

combination, taxi, radio operator, camper, public, racer tow, jitney, and antique must have

displayed on them the registration plate(s) as described in § 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply

to those registrants in possession of an alternative design plate as described in § 31-3-60 or any

other specially authorized plate described in this chapter.

     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 exempt certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front

plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing

registration plate.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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