2026 -- H 8559

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LC006477

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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 Casey, Solomon, Chippendale, Corvese, Shallcross
Smith, Phillips, Noret, Finkelman, Dawson, and Biah

     Date Introduced: May 15, 2026

     Referred To: House Special Legislation

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-3-132. Special Plate for the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.

     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available

special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity the Rhode Island

Manufacturers Association. The plates shall be designed to reference the Rhode Island

Manufacturers Association.

     (b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the

vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the

registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be

removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate

for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate

shall be in effect for the special plate.

     (c) The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association motor vehicle plates shall be the same

size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Rhode Island Manufacturers

Association in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the

Rhode Island state police.

     (d) The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall be subject to compliance with

§ 31-3-117 relating to the number of minimum prepaid orders of plates per plate type (i.e.,

passenger, commercial, etc.) and any required payment. The Rhode Island Manufacturers

Association plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial

order will be handled by the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and shall not be submitted to

the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the

proper paper work submitted to the division.

     (e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any other

procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

     (f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Rhode Island

Manufacturers Association plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

     (g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: twenty

dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00)

shall be distributed annually to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association to enhance the ability

of Rhode Island Manufacturers.

     (h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated

to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.

     (i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Rhode Island

Manufacturers Association plates, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association must use any

Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

     (j) Rhode Island Manufacturers Association will be required to submit an annual

accounting report before such monies are distributed.

     (k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Rhode Island Manufacturers

Association plates.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after 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 authorize the administrator of the division of motor vehicles to make

available special license plates for the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.

     This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.

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