2017 -- S 0295

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LC000573

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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 VETERANS' PLATES

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

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2017

     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 AND OTHER 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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