AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES (Directs the division of motor vehicles to create a special plate for individuals in the manufacturing industry.)

S2746

2026 -- S 2746
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LC005459
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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 Raptakis, Tikoian, E Morgan, Ciccone, Thompson, Burke,
Felag, Famiglietti, Patalano, and Appollonio

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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31-3-132. Rhode Island manufacturing industry plates.

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(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue for any motor vehicle
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eligible for registration as an automobile, or for a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of
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twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less, plates designated as "manufacturing industry" plates
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upon application on proper forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles
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to persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, to be defined as an entity within the state that
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takes raw materials or components and adds value thereto in order to create a final, recognizable
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product that has been created through the use of hands, machinery, tools, appliances, and other
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similar equipment, and which shall include any person who owns a manufacturing business or who
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works in the manufacturing industry, and excludes manufacturers of motor vehicles as defined by
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§ 31-5.1-1.
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(b) The designated "manufacturing industry" plates shall be designed as follows:
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(1) Letters and numbers shall be blue in a white background with the words "Rhode Island"
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clearly visible at the top center of the plate and the letters "MID" displayed down the left side of
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the plate in all capital letters.
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(2) Background shall contain the current plate design and contents pursuant to § 31-3-11.
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(c) The applicant shall be required to provide information verifying their occupation in the

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manufacturing industry that is satisfactory to the division and pay a service charge of twenty dollars
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($20.00) for the plate.
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(d) The owner of a motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile that is issued
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manufacturing industry plates shall continue to pay the appropriate automobile registration fee for
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the plates. The owner of a motor vehicle eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle that is
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issued manufacturing industry plates shall continue to pay the appropriate commercial registration
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fee for the plates pursuant to § 31-3-11.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after 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 direct the division of motor vehicles to create a special plate for individuals
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in the manufacturing industry.
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This act would take effect six (6) months after passage.
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LC005459
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LC005459 - Page 3 of 3