2017 -- H 5892

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LC002036

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - COURTESY PLATES

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Corvese, Edwards, Kennedy, and Lima

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     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 one-time service

charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200) for each issue and a

service charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) 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. 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 AND OTHER VEHICLES - COURTESY PLATES

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     This act would establish a one-time fee of two hundred dollars ($200) for the issuance of

an automobile vanity plate, in addition to the existing service charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) for

each registration renewal.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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