2025 -- S 0592

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LC001872

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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 Dimitri, Tikoian, Ciccone, McKenney, and Appollonio

     Date Introduced: February 26, 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 Real Access Motivates Progress.

     (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 Real Access Motivates

Progress. The plates shall be designed to reference the not-for-profit entity Real Access Motivates

Progress.

     (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 Real Access Motivates Progress motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as

regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by Real Access Motivates Progress in

conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state

police.

     (d) The Real Access Motivates Progress 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 Real Access Motivates Progress plates shall not

be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by Real

Access Motivates Progress 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, Real Access

Motivates Progress 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 Real Access Motivates Progress to conduct collaborative fisheries

research and education projects to advance the achievement of sustainable fisheries.

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

to Real Access Motivates Progress.

     (i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Real Access Motivates

Progress plates, Real Access Motivates Progress must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and

for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

     (j) Real Access Motivates Progress will be required to submit an annual accounting report

before such monies are distributed.

     (k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Real Access Motivates Progress

plates.

     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 create a special license plate for the charity Real Access Motivates Progress,

a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001872

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