2019 -- H 5051

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Vella-Wilkinson, Morin, Solomon, and
Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-17.1 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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     31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates.

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     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall design and issue under

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regulations that he or she deems appropriate, special courtesy automobile, veterans', motorcycle,

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and commercial registration plates to be used on passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, and all

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commercial vehicles whose gross weight is not more than nine thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.) in

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lieu of other number plates, except for special courtesy veterans' plates to be used on passenger

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motor vehicles, motorcycles, and all commercial vehicles whose gross weight is not more than

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twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.), and shall be issued in compliance with the provisions of

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§31-3-53. Special plates shall be of such design and shall bear such letters or combinations of

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letters and numbers as the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall prescribe, and

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shall be made of light-reflecting sheeting applied on a metal base, provided that no automobile set

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of plates shall contain more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination of letters and

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numbers, or less than two (2) letters, and that no motorcycle plate shall contain more than five (5)

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letters or more than five (5) letters and numbers in a combination or less than two (2) letters, and

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that a commercial courtesy plate shall be marked "commercial," and shall contain no more than

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six (6) letters or more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination or less than two (2)

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letters, and provided further, that there shall be no duplication of identification and the

 

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administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, in his or her discretion, refuse to issue any

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letter or combination of letters and numbers that might carry connotations offensive to good taste

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and decency. A special automobile or commercial courtesy plate shall be issued upon application

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using forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, and upon payment,

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in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a service charge of sixty

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dollars ($60.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. For motorcycles, a special

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courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by the division of motor

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vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a

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service charge of thirty-four dollars ($34.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. The

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service charge shall be paid to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles prior to the

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administrator's acceptance of the application. The Rhode Island state lottery commission shall not

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be required to pay the service charge for any special courtesy plate issued pursuant to this section

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for motor vehicles owned or used by the lottery commission, and may utilize the special courtesy

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plates on all types of vehicles owned or operated by the lottery commission.

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     (b) For any vehicle that is registered in accordance with § 31-1-3(a), the division of motor

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

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

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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 AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

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     This act would allow the division of motor vehicles to issue courtesy veterans' plates.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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