2012 -- H 7512

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LC01406

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - COURTESY PLATES

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Brien, and Baldelli-Hunt

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2012

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-17.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled

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"Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates. -- The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall

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design and issue under regulations that he or she deems appropriate, special courtesy automobile,

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motorcycle, and commercial registration plates to be used on passenger motor vehicles,

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motorcycles, and all commercial vehicles whose gross weight is not more than nine thousand

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pounds (9,000 lbs.) in lieu of other number plates. Special plates shall be of such design and shall

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bear such letters or combinations of letters and numbers as the administrator of the division of

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motor vehicles shall prescribe, and shall be made of light-reflecting sheeting applied on a metal

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base, provided that no automobile set of plates shall contain more than six (6) letters and numbers

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in a combination of letters and numbers, or less than two (2) letters, and that no motorcycle plate

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shall contain more than five (5) letters or more than five (5) letters and numbers in a combination

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or less than two (2) letters, and that a commercial courtesy plate shall be marked "commercial,"

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and shall contain no more than five (5) six (6) letters or more than five (5) six (6) letters and

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numbers in a combination or less than two (2) letters, and provided further, that there shall be no

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duplication of identification and the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall in his or

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her discretion refuse to issue any letter or combination of letters and numbers which might carry

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connotations offensive to good taste and decency. A special automobile or commercial courtesy

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plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by the administrator of the division

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of motor vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle

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registration fee, a service charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) for each issue and for each registration

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renewal. For motorcycles, a special courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms

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furnished by the division of motor vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular

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prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a service charge of thirty-four dollars ($34.00) for each

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issue and for each registration renewal. The service charge shall be paid to the administrator of

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the division of motor vehicles prior to the administrator's acceptance of the application. The

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Rhode Island state lottery commission shall not be required to pay the service charge for any

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special courtesy plate issued pursuant to this section for motor vehicles owned or used by the

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lottery commission, and may utilize the special courtesy plates on all types of vehicles owned or

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operated by the lottery commission.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01406

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - COURTESY PLATES

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     This act would authorize the issuance of commercial vanity license plates with up to six

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(6) letters or numbers.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01406

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H7512