2019 -- S 0715

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LC002136

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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 --

REGISTRATION FEES

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Ruggerio, Conley, McCaffrey, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-33 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration

of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-3-33. Renewal of registration.

     (a) Application for renewal of a vehicle registration shall be made by the owner on a

proper application form and by payment of the registration fee for the vehicle as provided by law.

     (b) The division of motor vehicles may receive applications for renewal of registration,

and may grant the renewal and issue new registration cards and plates at any time prior to

expiration of registration.

     (c) Upon renewal, owners will be issued a renewal sticker for each registration plate that

shall be placed at the bottom, right-hand corner of the plate. Owners shall be issued a new, fully

reflective plate beginning January 1, 2020 December 1, 2019, at the time of initial registration or

at the renewal of an existing registration and reissuance will be conducted no less than every ten

(10) years.

     SECTION 2. Section 31-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-6 entitled "Registration

Fees" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-6-1. Amount of registration and miscellaneous fees.

     (a) The following registration fees shall be paid to the division of motor vehicles for the

registration of motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, and school buses subject to registration for

each year of registration:

     (1) For the registration of every automobile, when equipped with pneumatic tires, the

gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.): thirty dollars ($30.00).

     (2) For the registration of every motor truck or tractor when equipped with pneumatic

tires, the gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.): thirty-four

dollars ($34.00).

     (3) For the registration of every automobile, motor truck or tractor, when equipped with

pneumatic tires, the gross weight of which is:

     (i) More than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), but not more than five thousand pounds

(5,000 lbs.): forty dollars ($40.00);

     (ii) More than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.), but not more than six thousand pounds

(6,000 lbs.): forty-eight dollars ($48.00);

     (iii) More than six thousand pounds (6,000 lbs.), but not more than seven thousand

pounds (7,000 lbs.): fifty-six dollars ($56.00);

     (iv) More than seven thousand pounds (7,000 lbs.), but not more than eight thousand

pounds (8,000 lbs.): sixty-four dollars ($64.00);

     (v) More than eight thousand pounds (8,000 lbs.), but not more than nine thousand

pounds (9,000 lbs.): seventy dollars ($70.00);

     (vi) More than nine thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.), but not more than ten thousand pounds

(10,000 lbs.): seventy-eight dollars ($78.00);

     (vii) More than ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.), but not more than twelve thousand

pounds (12,000 lbs.): one hundred six dollars ($106);

     (viii) More than twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.), but not more than fourteen

thousand pounds (14,000 lbs.): one hundred twenty-four dollars ($124);

     (ix) More than fourteen thousand pounds (14,000 lbs.), but not more than sixteen

thousand pounds (16,000 lbs.): one hundred forty dollars ($140);

     (x) More than sixteen thousand pounds (16,000 lbs.), but not more than eighteen

thousand pounds (18,000 lbs.): one hundred fifty-eight dollars ($158);

     (xi) More than eighteen thousand pounds (18,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty

thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.): one hundred seventy-six dollars ($176);

     (xii) More than twenty thousand pounds (20,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-two

thousand pounds (22,000 lbs.): one hundred ninety-four dollars ($194);

     (xiii) More than twenty-two thousand pounds (22,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-

four thousand pounds (24,000 lbs.): two hundred ten dollars ($210);

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     (xiv) More than twenty-four thousand pounds (24,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-six

thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.): two hundred thirty dollars ($230);

     (xv) More than twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.), but not more than twenty-eight

thousand pounds (28,000 lbs.): two hundred ninety-six dollars ($296);

     (xvi) More than twenty-eight thousand pounds (28,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty

thousand pounds (30,000 lbs.): three hundred sixteen dollars ($316);

     (xvii) More than thirty thousand pounds (30,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-two

thousand pounds (32,000 lbs.): four hundred and twenty-two dollars ($422);

     (xviii) More than thirty-two thousand pounds (32,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-four

thousand pounds (34,000 lbs.): four hundred and forty-eight dollars ($448);

     (xix) More than thirty-four thousand pounds (34,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-six

thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.): four hundred and seventy-six dollars ($476);

     (xx) More than thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.), but not more than thirty-eight

thousand pounds (38,000 lbs.): five hundred and two dollars ($502);

     (xxi) More than thirty-eight thousand pounds (38,000 lbs.), but not more than forty

thousand pounds (40,000 lbs.): five hundred and twenty-eight dollars ($528);

     (xxii) More than forty thousand pounds (40,000 lbs.), but not more than forty-two

thousand pounds (42,000 lbs.): five hundred and fifty-four dollars ($554);

     (xxiii) More than forty-two thousand pounds (42,000 lbs.), but not more than forty-six

thousand pounds (46,000 lbs.): six hundred and eight dollars ($608);

     (xxiv) More than forty-six thousand pounds (46,000 lbs.), but not more than fifty

thousand pounds (50,000 lbs.): six hundred and sixty dollars ($660);

     (xxv) More than fifty thousand pounds (50,000 lbs.), but not more than fifty-four

thousand pounds (54,000 lbs.): seven hundred and twelve dollars ($712);

     (xxvi) More than fifty-four thousand pounds (54,000 lbs.), but not more than fifty-eight

thousand pounds (58,000 lbs.): seven hundred and sixty-eight dollars ($768);

     (xxvii) More than fifty-eight thousand pounds (58,000 lbs.), but not more than sixty-two

thousand pounds (62,000 lbs.): eight hundred and sixteen dollars ($816);

     (xxviii) More than sixty-two thousand pounds (62,000 lbs.), but not more than sixty-six

thousand pounds (66,000 lbs.): eight hundred and seventy-six dollars ($876);

     (xxix) More than sixty-six thousand pounds (66,000 lbs.), but not more than seventy

thousand pounds (70,000 lbs.): nine hundred and twenty-four dollars ($924);

     (xxx) More than seventy thousand pounds (70,000 lbs.), but not more than seventy-four

thousand pounds (74,000 lbs.): nine hundred and seventy-two dollars ($972);

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     (xxxi) Over seventy-four thousand pounds (74,000 lbs.): nine hundred and seventy-two

dollars ($972), plus twenty-four dollars ($24.00) per two thousand pounds (2,000 lbs.) gross

weight.

     (4) For the registration of every semi-trailer to be used with a truck-tractor, as defined in

§ 31-1-4(f), shall be as follows: an annual fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for a one-year

registration; for multi-year registrations the fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a five-year (5)

registration; and eighty dollars ($80.00) for an eight-year (8) registration. However, when in use,

the weight of the resulting semi-trailer unit and its maximum carrying capacity shall not exceed

the gross weight of the original semi-trailer unit from which the gross weight of the tractor was

determined. A registration certificate and registration plate shall be issued for each semi-trailer so

registered. There shall be no refund of payment of such fee, except that when a plate is returned

prior to ninety (90) days before the effective date of that year's registration, the pro rate amount,

based on the unused portion of the multi-year registration plate period at time of surrender, shall

be refunded. A multi-year semi-trailer registration may be transferred to another semi-trailer

subject to the provisions and fee set forth in § 31-6-11. Thirty percent (30%) of the semi-trailer

registration fee shall be retained by the division of motor vehicles to defray the costs of

implementation of the international registration plan (IRP) and fleet registration section.

     (5) For the registration of every automobile, motor truck, or tractor, when equipped with

other than pneumatic tires, there shall be added to the above gross weight fees a charge of ten

cents (10¢) for each one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) of gross weight.

     (6) For the registration of every public bus, the rates provided for motor vehicles for hire

plus two dollars ($2.00) for each passenger that bus is rated to carry, the rating to be determined

by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.

     (7) For the registration of every motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle, thirteen dollars

($13.00). Three dollars ($3.00) from that sum shall be turned over to the department of education

to assist in the payment of the cost of the motorcycle driver's education program as enumerated in

§ 31-10.1-1.1.

     (8) For the registration of every trailer, not including semi-trailers used with a truck-

tractor as defined in § 31-1-4(d), with a gross weight of three thousand pounds (3,000 lbs.) or

less, five dollars ($5.00). Trailers with a gross weight of more than three thousand pounds (3,000

lbs.) shall be assessed a registration fee of one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per thousand pounds

(1,000 lbs.).

     (9) The annual registration fee for a motor vehicle, commonly described as a boxcar

and/or locomotive, and used only by La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux for civic

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demonstration, parades, convention purposes, or social welfare work, shall be two dollars ($2.00).

     (10) For the registration of every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer owned by any

department or agency of any city or town or district, provided the name of the city or town or

district or state department or agency owning the same shall be plainly printed on two (2) sides of

the vehicle, two dollars ($2.00).

     (11) For the registration of motor vehicles used for racing, fifteen dollars ($15.00).

     (12) For every duplicate registration certificate, seventeen dollars ($17.00).

     (13) For every certified copy of a registration certificate or application, ten dollars

($10.00).

     (14) For every certificate assigning a special identification number or mark as provided in

§ 31-3-37, one dollar ($1.00).

     (15) For every replacement of number plates or additional pair of number plates, without

changing the number, thirty dollars ($30.00).

     (16) For the registration of every farm vehicle, used in farming as provided in § 31-3-31:

ten dollars ($10.00).

     (17) For the registration of antique motor vehicles, five dollars ($5.00).

     (18) For the registration of a suburban vehicle, when used as a pleasure vehicle and the

gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), the same rates as

charged in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be applicable and when used as a commercial

vehicle and the gross weight of which is not more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), the

same rates as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be applicable. The rates in

subdivision (3) of this subsection shall be applicable when the suburban vehicle has a gross

weight of more than four thousand pounds (4,000 lbs.), regardless of the use of the vehicle.

     (19) For the registration of every motor bus that is used exclusively under contract with a

political subdivision or school district of the state for the transportation of school children,

twenty-five dollars ($25); provided that the motor bus may also be used for the transportation of

persons to and from church and Sunday school services, and for the transportation of children to

and from educational or recreational projects sponsored by a city or town or by any association or

organization supported wholly or in part by public or private donations for charitable purposes,

without the payment of additional registration fee.

     (20) For the registration of every motorized bicycle, ten dollars ($10.00).

     (21) For the registration of every motorized tricycle, ten dollars ($10.00).

     (22) For the replacement of number plates with a number change, twenty dollars

($20.00).

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     (23) For the initial issuance and each reissuance of fully reflective plates, as required by

§§ 31-3-10 and 31-3-32, an additional six dollars ($6.00) fifteen dollars ($15.00).

     (24) For the issuance of a trip permit under the International Registration Plan, twenty-

five dollars ($25.00) per vehicle. The division of motor vehicles is authorized to issue seventy-

two-hour (72) trip permits for vehicles required to be registered in the International Registration

Plan that have not been apportioned with the state of Rhode Island.

     (25) For the issuance of a hunter's permit under the International Registration Plan,

twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per vehicle. The division of motor vehicles is authorized to issue

hunter's permits for motor vehicles based in the state of Rhode Island and otherwise required to

be registered in the International Registration Plan. These permits are valid for thirty (30) days.

     (26) For the registration of a specially adapted motor vehicle necessary to transport a

family member with a disability for personal, noncommercial use, a fee of thirty dollars ($30.00)

assessed.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002136

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES --

REGISTRATION FEES

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     This act would amend the date that a new, fully reflective registration plate would be

issued from January 1, 2020 to December 1, 2019. The act would also increase the registration

fee for fully reflective plates from six dollars ($6.00) to fifteen dollars ($15.00).

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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