2025 -- S 0155

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LC000077

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, Gallo, Tikoian, Urso, Euer, Bissaillon, Appollonio,
Dimitri, Thompson, and Zurier

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     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:

     31-3-130. Special plate for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive

Association.

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

special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive

Association. The plates shall be designed to reference the American Hellenic Educational

Progressive 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 American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association motor vehicle plates shall

be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the American Hellenic

Educational Progressive Association in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the

design approved by the Rhode Island state police.

     (d) The American Hellenic Educational Progressive 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 American Hellenic

Educational Progressive Association plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order

requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the American Hellenic Educational

Progressive 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, American Hellenic

Educational Progressive 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 American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association to

promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and

individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

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

to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

     (i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of American Hellenic

Educational Progressive Association plates, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive

Association must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based

charitable organizations.

     (j) American Hellenic Educational Progressive 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 American Hellenic Educational

Progressive 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 empower the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor

vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

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

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