Bill Sponsors
Casey, Solomon, Chippendale, Corvese, Shallcross Smith, Phillips, Noret, Finkelman, Dawson, and Biah
Committee
House Special Legislation
Summary
Select
This bill authorizes the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles to issue special license plates featuring the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association. To receive these plates, drivers must pay a $40 surcharge on top of standard registration fees, plus a $10 fee when renewing. Half of the initial $40 fee goes to the state's general fund, and the other half, along with the $10 renewal fee, goes to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association. The association is required to use these funds for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations and must submit an annual accounting report before receiving the money.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Directs funds to Rhode Island-based charitable organizations, which can improve community welfare and support vulnerable populations.
- Generates additional revenue for the state's general fund without raising broad-based taxes, helping to support public services.
- Includes strict accountability measures by requiring the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association to submit an annual accounting report before receiving funds, ensuring transparency.
Cons for Progressives
- Creates a mechanism for a private industry association to promote itself on state-issued license plates, potentially blurring the line between public assets and corporate advertising.
- Relies on a regressive, flat-fee structure for the specialty plate, meaning the cost represents a larger proportional burden for lower-income drivers who might want to support the charities.
- Does not specify the types of charities that will receive the funds, leaving open the possibility that the money could go to organizations that do not align with progressive values or social justice initiatives.
Pros for Conservatives
- Promotes the state's manufacturing industry by providing visible recognition on government-issued license plates, supporting corporate and industrial pride.
- Utilizes a voluntary funding mechanism to support charities rather than relying on mandatory taxpayer-funded government assistance programs.
- Implements strict financial accountability by requiring the association to submit an annual accounting report, ensuring responsible use of the collected funds.
Cons for Conservatives
- Expands government bureaucracy by requiring the Division of Motor Vehicles to design, produce, and manage a new category of specialty license plates.
- Diverts half of the initial surcharge to the state's general fund, essentially creating a hidden tax on drivers who simply want to support the association and its charities.
- Restricts the association's freedom by mandating that the funds raised must be used exclusively for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations rather than allowing the association to spend the money as it sees fit.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. This bill simply authorizes a specialty license plate and outlines the fee structure and distribution of funds, which falls well within the state's administrative authority over motor vehicle registration.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Drivers
- Rhode Island Manufacturers Association
- Charitable organizations
- Division of Motor Vehicles
- Rhode Island State Police
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Drivers requesting the plate: $40 issuance surcharge, $10 renewal surcharge
Revenue Generated
State General Fund: $20 per plate issued; Rhode Island Manufacturers Association: $20 per plate issued, $10 per plate renewed
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/15/2026 Introduced, referred to House Special Legislation
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
31-3-132. Special Plate for the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association. The plates shall be designed to reference the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.
(b) 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 registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. 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.
(c) The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.
(d) The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall be subject to compliance with § 31-3-117 relating to the number of minimum prepaid orders of plates per plate type (i.e., passenger, commercial, etc.) and any required payment. The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the proper paper work submitted to the division.
(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.
(g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association to enhance the ability of Rhode Island Manufacturers.
(h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.
(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.
(j) Rhode Island Manufacturers Association will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.
(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.
31-3-132. Special Plate for the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association. The plates shall be designed to reference the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.
(b) 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 registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. 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.
(c) The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.
(d) The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall be subject to compliance with § 31-3-117 relating to the number of minimum prepaid orders of plates per plate type (i.e., passenger, commercial, etc.) and any required payment. The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the proper paper work submitted to the division.
(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.
(g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association to enhance the ability of Rhode Island Manufacturers.
(h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.
(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates, the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.
(j) Rhode Island Manufacturers Association will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.
(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Rhode Island Manufacturers Association plates.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.