2017 -- S 0902

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LC002606

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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 -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-3-112. Special plate for the Rhode Island Agricultural Council.

     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available

special motor vehicle registration plates for the Rhode Island Agricultural Council. The plates

shall be designed to reference Rhode Island agriculture and shall feature a barn and silo.

     (b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the

vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of, and in the same manner as, the

registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be

removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration

certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle in accordance with §31-3-9. The

registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

     (c) The Rhode Island Agricultural Council motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as

regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Rhode Island Agricultural Council, in

conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island state

police.

     (d) The Rhode Island Agricultural Council plates shall be subject to a minimum prepaid

order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates per plate type (i.e. passenger, commercial, etc.).

The Rhode Island Agricultural Council plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s)

requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Rhode Island Agricultural Council

and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum

order(s) have been met and the proper paperwork submitted to the division.

     (e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any

other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

     (f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Rhode Island

Agricultural Council plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

     (g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: Twenty

dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00)

shall be distributed annually to the Rhode Island Agricultural Council in furtherance of its

mission to stimulate development of an interest in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and allied

interests; create an interest in rural life and the improvement of the rural community in Rhode

Island; effect a close relationship between representatives of agriculture with its allied interests

and with commerce and industry; develop and carry out a complete program for efficient

production and economical distribution of farm products in Rhode Island; and coordinate all

agencies interested in the welfare of agriculture in Rhode Island into one association from which

unified efforts toward education, legislation and representation of agricultural interests of the

state may emanate.

     (h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated

to the Rhode Island Agricultural Council.

     (i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of the Rhode Island

Agricultural Council license plate, the foundation must use any Rhode Island sources funds in,

and for the benefit of, Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

     (j) The Rhode Island Agricultural Council shall be required to submit an annual

accounting report before such monies are distributed.

     (k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of the Rhode Island Agricultural

Council plates.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002606

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the Rhode

Island Agricultural Council.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002606

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