2016 -- S 2078

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LC003583

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES - COURTESY VETERANS' PLATES

     Introduced By: Senators Kettle, Cote, Gee, Morgan, and Algiere

     Date Introduced: January 13, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     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 administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall

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

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

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

pounds (9,000 lbs.) 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 administrator of the division of

motor vehicles 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 six (6) letters or more than six (6) 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 administrator of the division of motor vehicles 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 or commercial courtesy plate shall be

issued upon application using forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor

vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a

service charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. For

motorcycles, a special courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by

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

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

registration renewal. Courtesy plates shall be provided to every veteran eligible for a veterans'

plate, in the veterans' plate format, at no additional charge. The service charge shall be paid to the

administrator of the division of motor vehicles prior to the administrator'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 upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES - COURTESY VETERANS' PLATES

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     This act would permit a veteran to request a "Courtesy Plate" with their choice of letters

and numbers consistent with present availability with the veteran plate format.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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