2026 -- S 2746

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LC005459

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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: Senators Raptakis, Tikoian, E Morgan, Ciccone, Thompson, Burke,
Felag, Famiglietti, Patalano, and Appollonio

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     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:

     31-3-132. Rhode Island manufacturing industry plates.

     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue for any motor vehicle

eligible for registration as an automobile, or for a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of

twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less, plates designated as "manufacturing industry" plates

upon application on proper forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles

to persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, to be defined as an entity within the state that

takes raw materials or components and adds value thereto in order to create a final, recognizable

product that has been created through the use of hands, machinery, tools, appliances, and other

similar equipment, and which shall include any person who owns a manufacturing business or who

works in the manufacturing industry, and excludes manufacturers of motor vehicles as defined by

§ 31-5.1-1.

     (b) The designated "manufacturing industry" plates shall be designed as follows:

     (1) Letters and numbers shall be blue in a white background with the words "Rhode Island"

clearly visible at the top center of the plate and the letters "MID" displayed down the left side of

the plate in all capital letters.

     (2) Background shall contain the current plate design and contents pursuant to § 31-3-11.

     (c) The applicant shall be required to provide information verifying their occupation in the

manufacturing industry that is satisfactory to the division and pay a service charge of twenty dollars

($20.00) for the plate.

     (d) The owner of a motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile that is issued

manufacturing industry plates shall continue to pay the appropriate automobile registration fee for

the plates. The owner of a motor vehicle eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle that is

issued manufacturing industry plates shall continue to pay the appropriate commercial registration

fee for the plates pursuant to § 31-3-11.

     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 direct the division of motor vehicles to create a special plate for individuals

in the manufacturing industry.

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

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LC005459

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