AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES (Establishes a motor vehicle license plate to honor Governor Roger Williams.)

H7087

2026 -- H 7087
========
LC003177
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Introduced By:
Representatives Bennett, Shallcross Smith, Fogarty, Potter, Cortvriend,
Fellela, Read, McNamara, Azzinaro, and Boylan

Date Introduced:
January 14, 2026

Referred To:
House Special Legislation
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is
2
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3

31-3-131. Registration plate to honor Governor Roger Williams.

4

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available a
5
motor vehicle registration plate commemorating Governor Roger Williams as the first governor of
6
what became the State of Rhode Island. The plate shall bear the designation “Governor Roger
7
Williams” and a design provided by the division, and shall bear the seal of the state imprinted on
8
it. The plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which
9
it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the original registration plates
10
issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the
11
vehicle and the registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance
12
with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the plate.
13

(b) An automobile or commercial commemorative Governor Roger Williams plate shall be
14
issued upon application using forms furnished by the administrator upon payment in addition to the
15
regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee.
16

(c) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Governor Roger
17
Williams plates shall be subject to payment of a service charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and
18
a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate, of which fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be
19
deposited to the division of motor vehicles for its costs in manufacturing and distributing the plates,

1
and the remainder shall be deposited into the general fund.
2
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.
========
LC003177
========

LC003177 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
***
1
This act would establish a motor vehicle license plate to honor Governor Roger Williams.
2
This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.
========
LC003177
========

LC003177 - Page 3 of 3