AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES (Eliminates the registration and service charge fees for National Guard plates.)

S2183

2026 -- S 2183
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LC004238
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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:
Senators Felag, Appollonio, Lauria, Gallo, Burke, LaMountain, and
Britto

Date Introduced:
January 16, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 31-3-62 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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31-3-62. National Guard plates.
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(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered and authorized to
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make available to all active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard
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a special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an
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automobile or a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.)
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or less. Upon the death of the holder of “National Guard” plates, the plates may be transferred to
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the surviving spouse of the member of the National Guard for the spouse’s lifetime or until the
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spouse remarries.
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(b) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry on it the designation “National
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Guard” and shall also carry on it an emblem on the left-hand side of the plate to be designed and
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provided by the office of the adjutant general, with the numerals to the right of it.
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(c)
The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue the plate upon the
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payment of a service charge of twenty dollars ($20.00) and a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00)
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for the plate. All revenues shall be deposited as general revenues.
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(d)
For the purposes of this section an active or retired member of the Rhode Island Army
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and Air National Guard shall be defined as any person certified by the adjutant general as currently
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serving or having retired under honorable conditions in either the Rhode Island Army or Air

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National Guard.
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(e)
(d)
In a state of emergency, any active member of the Army or Air National Guard
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driving a vehicle bearing the special motor vehicle registration plate shall be authorized and
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empowered to travel upon the highways of the state notwithstanding any driving ban imposed by
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any state or municipal authority.
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(e) The applicant shall not be required to pay a registration fee or service charge for the
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plates.
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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 eliminate the registration and service charge fees for National Guard plates.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004238
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