Bill Sponsors
Azzinaro, Shallcross Smith, Corvese, McNamara, Fellela, Solomon, and Kennedy
Committee
House Finance
Summary
Select
This legislation amends the state laws regarding vehicle registration for members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard. Specifically, it eliminates the requirement for active and retired Guard members to pay a twenty-dollar service charge and a five-dollar transfer charge for special "National Guard" license plates. The bill explicitly states that these applicants are not required to pay any registration fee or service charge for these plates. It maintains existing rules regarding the transfer of plates to surviving spouses and the design of the plates.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Reduces the financial burden on National Guard members, many of whom are working-class individuals serving their community, by eliminating registration fees.
- Acknowledges and supports those who provide essential public services during state emergencies, such as natural disasters, by removing barriers to obtaining identifying plates.
- Strengthens the social safety net for military families by allowing the surviving spouse to retain the benefits of the special registration plate without added costs.
Cons for Progressives
- Reduces general revenue funds that could otherwise be used for broader social programs or public services benefiting the entire community.
- Prioritizes financial breaks for a specific group based on military status rather than financial need, potentially overlooking lower-income residents who are not in the Guard.
- Continues to privilege car ownership and driving over public transit solutions by subsidizing vehicle registration costs.
Pros for Conservatives
- Eliminates government fees and reduces the financial burden on patriots serving in the state military forces, promoting financial freedom.
- Demonstrates respect and support for traditional values of service and duty by honoring National Guard members with fee-free recognition.
- Encourages participation in the state militia, which is vital for state security and emergency response, without increasing government bureaucracy.
Cons for Conservatives
- Reduces revenue flowing into the state's general fund, which could theoretically lead to tax increases elsewhere to make up the difference.
- Creates a specific carve-out or form of government assistance for one group, rather than applying broad fee reductions for all taxpayers.
- Expands the number of fee-exempt categories in the DMV, potentially complicating administrative efficiency and rule of law regarding uniform taxation.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- National Guard members
- Retired National Guard members
- Spouses of National Guard members
- DMV staff
- Taxpayers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
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Regulatory
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Environmental Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/14/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 31-3-62 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-3-62. National Guard plates.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered and authorized to make available to all active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard a special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less. Upon the death of the holder of “National Guard” plates, the plates may be transferred to the surviving spouse of the member of the National Guard for the spouse’s lifetime or until the spouse remarries.
(b) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry on it the designation “National Guard” and shall also carry on it an emblem on the left-hand side of the plate to be designed and provided by the office of the adjutant general, with the numerals to the right of it.
(c)The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue the plate upon the payment of a service charge of twenty dollars ($20.00) and a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate. All revenues shall be deposited as general revenues.
(d) For the purposes of this section an active or retired member of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard shall be defined as any person certified by the adjutant general as currently serving or having retired under honorable conditions in either the Rhode Island Army or Air National Guard.
(e)(d) In a state of emergency, any active member of the Army or Air National Guard driving a vehicle bearing the special motor vehicle registration plate shall be authorized and empowered to travel upon the highways of the state notwithstanding any driving ban imposed by any state or municipal authority.
(e) The applicant shall not be required to pay a registration fee or service charge for the plates.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
31-3-62. National Guard plates.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered and authorized to make available to all active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard a special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less. Upon the death of the holder of “National Guard” plates, the plates may be transferred to the surviving spouse of the member of the National Guard for the spouse’s lifetime or until the spouse remarries.
(b) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry on it the designation “National Guard” and shall also carry on it an emblem on the left-hand side of the plate to be designed and provided by the office of the adjutant general, with the numerals to the right of it.
(c)
(e) The applicant shall not be required to pay a registration fee or service charge for the plates.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.