Bill Sponsors
Newberry, and Noret
Committee
House Special Legislation
Summary
Select
This legislation amends the rules regarding the "Mr. Potato Head — 50th anniversary" special license plates. It stops the Division of Motor Vehicles from issuing any new plates of this design. Individuals who currently possess these plates may keep them, provided they continuously renew their registration. However, strict limitations are added: if the registration lapses, or if the plate is lost or destroyed, the right to use the plate is permanently lost. Additionally, these plates cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another person, even within the same family.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Streamlines state administration by phasing out an obsolete commemorative program, allowing the DMV to focus resources on current operational needs.
- Prevents the indefinite extension of a temporary anniversary-specific initiative, promoting better legislative housekeeping and modernization of codes.
- Ensures that state manufacturing resources are not tied up in maintaining inventory for a "50th anniversary" milestone that has long since passed.
Cons for Progressives
- Eliminates a passive revenue stream for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which previously received $20 from every new plate issued to help the poor.
- Reduces the variety of ways citizens can voluntarily contribute to social safety net programs through government interactions.
- Limits personal expression and cultural celebration on state-issued property, restricting how individuals choose to display local pride.
Pros for Conservatives
- Reduces the size and complexity of the administrative state by eliminating an outdated government program.
- Enforces strict adherence to registration deadlines by permanently revoking privileges for those who allow their registration to lapse.
- Cleans up the legal code by removing provisions for a specific anniversary event that is no longer relevant, promoting legislative efficiency.
Cons for Conservatives
- Restricts property rights by preventing vehicle owners from transferring their license plates to new vehicles or family members.
- Removes a voluntary, non-tax method for citizens to support a charitable cause, potentially leading to calls for public funding elsewhere.
- Represents government overreach by dictating exactly which vehicles can display specific plates, limiting consumer choice.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Current owners of Mr. Potato Head plates
- Rhode Island Community Food Bank
- Division of Motor Vehicles
- Vehicle collectors
- Families wishing to transfer plates
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/14/2026 Introduced, referred to House Special Legislation
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 31-3-72 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-3-72. Special plate for Mr. Potato Head.
(a)The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available a special motor vehicle registration plate commemorating the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of Mr. Potato Head. The plate shall bear the designation “Mr. Potato Head — 50th anniversary” and shall bear the seal of the state imprinted on it. The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the original registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and the registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.
(b)A special automobile or commercial commemorative Mr. Potato Head — 50th anniversary plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by the administrator upon payment in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, and a service charge of forty dollars ($40.00) for each issue. The service charge shall be paid to the administrator prior to the administrator’s acceptance of the application. Twenty dollars ($20.00) of the service charge shall be paid to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the division of motor vehicles for its costs in manufacturing and distributing the special plates.
(c) Any current registration for “Mr. Potato Head- 50th anniversary" plates may remain as an authorized and permitted registration provided the registration remains continuously renewed. Any lapse, nonrenewal, revocation or loss or destruction of the plate or the registration for the plates shall result in the permanent nonregistration and nonrenewal of registration for the plates. The “Mr. Potato Head- 50th anniversary” plates shall not be transferred or registered to any other or subsequent vehicle of the registered owner or the registered owner’s family or relatives.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
31-3-72. Special plate for Mr. Potato Head.
(a)
(b)
(c) Any current registration for “Mr. Potato Head- 50th anniversary" plates may remain as an authorized and permitted registration provided the registration remains continuously renewed. Any lapse, nonrenewal, revocation or loss or destruction of the plate or the registration for the plates shall result in the permanent nonregistration and nonrenewal of registration for the plates. The “Mr. Potato Head- 50th anniversary” plates shall not be transferred or registered to any other or subsequent vehicle of the registered owner or the registered owner’s family or relatives.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.