AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES (Exempts certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing registration plate.)

H7989A

2026 -- H 7989 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC005266/SUB A
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Introduced By:
Representatives Baginski, and Biah

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 31-3-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration
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of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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31-3-18. Display of plates — Penalties.
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(a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer,
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transporter vehicle, in-transit vehicle, or a bailee engaged in a business as defined in § 31-1-17(a),
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or other than a motor vehicle owned by a duly authorized dealer in motor vehicles and which is
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used in the dealer’s business shall be attached thereto one in the front and the other in the rear. The
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registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, bailee, or a dealer’s motor vehicle as defined in
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this subsection shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.
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(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any motor vehicle that, as
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manufactured and delivered for sale, is not equipped with a manufacturer-provided front
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registration plate bracket, mounting point, or other manufacturer-provided means or location
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intended for the attachment and display of a front registration plate, shall not be required to display
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a front registration plate, and shall be in compliance with this section if:
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(i) One registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is properly attached to the
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rear of the vehicle; and
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(ii) The second registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is carried within the
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vehicle and displayed by the driver upon demand of a duly sworn law enforcement officer.
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(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position

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to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging at a height of not less
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than twelve inches (12") from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate; in a place and
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position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition
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to be clearly legible.
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(c) Penalties. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of
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a violation and subject to a fine as enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
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(d) All vehicles registered as passenger, commercial, trailer, motorcycle, suburban, farm,
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combination, taxi, radio operator, camper, public, racer tow, jitney, and antique must have
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displayed on them the registration plate(s) as described in § 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply
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to those registrants in possession of an alternative design plate as described in § 31-3-60 or any
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other specially authorized plate described in this chapter.
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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 exempt certain vehicles that are not manufactured with the proper front
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plate registration bracket from the requirement that motor vehicles display a front facing
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registration plate.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005266/SUB A
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LC005266/SUB A - Page 3 of 3