2026 -- S 2999

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LC005845

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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 MOTOR VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senators Dimitri, Patalano, and Thompson

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-64 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration

of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-3-64. Combination plates.

     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue:

     (1) For any motor vehicle eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle having a gross

weight of eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) or less, plates designated as

“combination” upon application and proper form furnished by the administrator of the division of

motor vehicles to applicants; provided that, any vehicle eligible for registration as a commercial

vehicle having a gross weight of under eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) shall be

eligible for a passenger plate, upon the registrant executing an affidavit with the division of motor

vehicles, declaring under oath that the vehicle is not to be used for any commercial purpose. The

combination plates will allow those vehicles to drive for both commercial and pleasure purposes;

or

     (2) For any motor vehicle eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle having a gross

weight over eight thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) up to eleven thousand eight hundred

pounds (11,800 lbs.) plates designated as “combination” upon application, proof of ownership of a

camping trailer, fifth-wheel camper trailer, travel trailer, or truck camper as defined in § 31-1-3,

and proper form furnished by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles to applicants. The

combination plates will allow those vehicles to drive for pleasure purposes only.

     (b) The fees for commercial vehicles registering for a combination plate shall be identical

to those established for other commercial vehicles of the same weight. A combination registration

transaction shall be considered a change to a new registration classification and not a plate change

transaction. A combination registration shall be renewable during the month of March each year.

     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 MOTOR VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would allow any vehicle eligible for registration with a gross weight of under eight

thousand eight hundred pounds (8,800 lbs.) to be registered as a passenger vehicle as long it is

accompanied by a registrant's affidavit declaring it would not be used for commercial purposes.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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