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:

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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 six (6) letters or more than six (6) letters and numbers in a

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combination or less than two (2) letters, and provided further, that there shall be no duplication of

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

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

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offensive to good taste and decency. A special automobile or commercial courtesy plate shall be

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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administrator of the division of motor vehicles prior to the administrator's acceptance of the

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application. The Rhode Island state lottery commission shall not be required to pay the service

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charge for any special courtesy plate issued pursuant to this section for motor vehicles owned or

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used by the lottery commission, and may utilize the special courtesy plates on all types of

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vehicles owned or operated by the lottery commission.

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     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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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