2025 -- S 0932

========

LC002613

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Ciccone, Euer, Thompson, Lauria, Appollonio,
LaMountain, and Murray

     Date Introduced: March 28, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-117 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration

of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-3-117. Minimum prepaid special motor vehicle registration plate orders.

     (a) As to any special motor vehicle registration plates that have been authorized pursuant

to this chapter but that have not been issued or printed as of July 2, 2018, because the minimum

number of prepaid orders for the plates has not been reached, the minimum number of plates that

must be prepaid and ordered prior to the plates being made and issued shall be deemed to be six

hundred (600) sets of plates per plate type. If the minimum number of prepaid plates provided

pursuant to any other section of this chapter is a higher number, that number shall be deemed

reduced to six hundred (600) sets of plates per plate type.

     (b) As to any special plates that are authorized pursuant to this chapter after July 2, 2018,

the minimum number of plates that must be prepaid and ordered prior to the plates being made and

issued shall be six hundred (600) sets of plates per plate type.

     (c)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the minimum number of

prepaid orders for special motor vehicle registration plates that either have been authorized pursuant

to this chapter, but have not been issued or printed as of July 2, 2022, because the minimum number

of prepaid orders for the plates has not been reached or are authorized pursuant to this chapter after

July 2, 2022, may be reduced to one hundred fifty (150) sets of plates per plate type if the applicable

sponsoring nonprofit entity delivers to the division of motor vehicles:

     (i) Orders for a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) sets of plates per plate type; and

     (ii) A nonrefundable payment to compensate for the amount of special plate orders fewer

than six hundred (600). The payment shall be calculated as follows: six hundred (600) orders, less

the number of orders placed, multiplied by thirty dollars ($30.00).

     (2) The portion of the applicable sponsoring nonprofit entity’s issuance surcharge that is to

be allocated to the general fund shall be deemed paid for the first six hundred (600) sets of plates

per plate type issued by the payment in an amount as determined by subsection (c)(1)(ii) of this

section.

     (3) The division of motor vehicles shall make available plates eligible for issuance pursuant

to subsection (c)(1) of this section, no later than six (6) months after receipt of the orders and the

nonrefundable payment in the amount determined by subsection (c)(1)(ii) of this section; provided,

however, that if multiple orders and payments in amounts pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(ii) of this

section are received from different sponsoring nonprofit entities, the division of motor vehicles

shall be afforded no more than six (6) months for each separate plate that becomes eligible for

issuance and may complete the work necessary for the issuance of one order at a time in the order

of receipt.

     (4) The ability of applicable sponsoring nonprofit entities to reduce the minimum number

of prepaid orders to one hundred fifty (150) sets of plates per plate type pursuant to subsection

(c)(1) of this section shall expire on December 31, 2025. The division of motor vehicles shall

complete the work necessary for issuance of all plates for which it receives the required orders and

nonrefundable payments in the amount determined by subsection (c)(1)(ii) of this section on or

before December 31, 2025, in accordance with subsection (c)(3) of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002613

========

LC002613 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

***

     This act would repeal a provision of the minimum prepaid special motor vehicle

registration plate orders law that was set to expire on December 31, 2025. The result would be to

continue the ability of applicable sponsoring nonprofit entities to reduce the minimum number of

initially authorized prepaid special plates beyond December 31, 2025.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002613

========

LC002613 - Page 3 of 3