2018 -- S 2484

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LC004771

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senator James C. Sheehan

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     (by request)

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.

     (a) 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. 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.

     (b) For any vehicle that is more than twenty-five (25) years old, the division of motor

vehicles may also issue or approve, subject to rules and regulations that may be promulgated by

the administrator, a courtesy registration plate in accordance with the provisions of this section.

     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 -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would allow the division of motor vehicles to issue a courtesy registration plate

for a vehicle more than twenty-five (25) years old.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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