2016 -- S 2129

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LC004020

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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 - FIREFIGHTER REGISTRATION PLATES

     

     Introduced By: Senator Walter S. Felag

     Date Introduced: January 21, 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 31-3-17.4 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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     31-3-17.4. Firefighter plates. -- (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is

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empowered and authorized to make available to all active firefighters and retired firefighters a

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special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an

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automobile, or commercial vehicle having a gross weight of ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) or

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less, or vehicle eligible for a combination registration plate, pursuant to ยง31-3-64.

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      (b) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry on it the designation

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"Firefighter" and a Maltese cross with the design provided by the Rhode Island Association of

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Fire Chiefs.

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      (c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue the plate upon

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payment of a service charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and a transfer charge of five dollars

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($5.00) for the plate, of which fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be deposited to the division of motor

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vehicles manufacturing account.

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      (d) For the purpose of this section an active or retired member of any fire department

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shall be defined as any person certified by the chief of the fire department as currently a member

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of said department with at least one year active service or retired under honorable condition as a

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firefighter.

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      (e) In a state of emergency, any active member of a fire department driving a vehicle

 

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bearing the special motor vehicle registration plate shall be authorized and empowered to travel

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upon the highways of the state notwithstanding any driving ban imposed by the state or municipal

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authority in accordance with their official duties.

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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 - FIREFIGHTER REGISTRATION PLATES

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     This act would make firefighters plates available to active and retired firefighters who are

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otherwise eligible for combination registration plates.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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