Introduced By: Senators Cote, Celona, Graziano, Damiani and DaPonte
Date Introduced : January 20, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 31-3-17.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates. -- The registrar shall
design and issue under such regulations as he or she shall deem
appropriate, special courtesy automobile, {DEL and DEL}
motorcycle {DEL plates DEL}, and {DEL may issue DEL}
commercial registration plates to be used on passenger motor vehicles,
motorcycles, and all commercial vehicles {ADD whose gross weight is not more than eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.) ADD}
in lieu of other number
plates. Special plates shall be of such design and shall bear
such letters or combinations of letters and numbers as the registrar
shall prescribe and shall be made of light-reflecting sheeting
applied on a metal base, provided that no automobile set of plates
shall contain more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination
of letters and numbers, or less than two (2) letters, and that
no motorcycle plate shall contain more than five (5) letters or
more than five (5) letters and numbers in a combination or less
than two (2) letters, and that a commercial courtesy plate shall
be marked "commercial," and shall contain no more than
five (5) letters or more than five (5) letters and numbers in
a combination or less than two (2) letters, and provided further,
that there shall be no duplication of identification and the registrar
shall in his or her discretion refuse to issue any letter or combination
of letters and numbers which might carry connotations offensive
to good taste and decency. A special automobile {ADD or commercial ADD}
courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished
by the registrar upon payment in addition to the regular prescribed
motor vehicle registration fee, a service charge of thirty dollars
($30.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. For
motorcycles, a special courtesy plate shall be issued upon application
using forms furnished by the registry upon payment, in addition
to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a service
charge of seventeen dollars ($17.00) for each issue and for each
registration renewal. The service charge shall be paid to the
registrar prior to the registrar's acceptance of the application.
The Rhode Island state lottery commission shall not be required
to pay the service charge for any special courtesy plate issued
pursuant to this section for motor vehicles owned, or used, by
the lottery commission, and may utilize the special courtesy plates
on all types of vehicles owned or operated by the lottery commission.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.
