Bill Sponsors
Dimitri, Thompson, Patalano, Famiglietti, Urso, and Appollonio
Committee
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Summary
Select
This legislation authorizes the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a special registration plate for the non-profit organization "Real Access Motivates Progress" (RAMP). To obtain these plates, vehicle owners must pay a $40 issuance surcharge in addition to standard registration fees. Of this surcharge, $20 goes to the state's general fund and $20 goes to RAMP to support accessibility programs. A $10 surcharge on renewals is also allocated to RAMP. The organization must meet minimum prepaid order requirements before production begins and must submit annual accounting reports on the use of funds.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Provides a dedicated revenue stream for a non-profit organization focused on accessibility and disability rights, potentially improving quality of life for the community.
- Includes transparency and accountability measures by requiring the non-profit to submit annual accounting reports to ensure funds are used for charitable purposes.
- Mandates that funds raised must be used for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations, ensuring resources stay within the local community.
Cons for Progressives
- Relies on voluntary consumer contributions to fund accessibility services rather than guaranteeing state funding through the budget, which can be seen as privatizing social responsibility.
- Imposes a financial barrier to participation, as the additional surcharges may prevent low-income individuals from supporting the cause or displaying the plate.
- Directs 50% of the initial issuance surcharge ($20) to the state General Fund rather than allocating the full amount to the charitable cause.
Pros for Conservatives
- Utilizes a voluntary user-fee model rather than increasing broad-based taxes to support specific social programs or organizations.
- Generates revenue for the state General Fund ($20 per plate) without imposing a mandatory cost on the general taxpayer.
- Empowers a private, non-profit entity to address community needs rather than creating a new government agency or program.
Cons for Conservatives
- Expands government bureaucracy within the Division of Motor Vehicles by requiring the administration and management of another niche specialty plate.
- Involves the state government in the collection and redistribution of funds for private organizations, which some may view as outside the proper scope of government.
- Creates administrative overhead for the state to monitor the minimum order requirements and review the annual accounting reports of a private entity.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Vehicle Owners
- Real Access Motivates Progress (RAMP)
- Division of Motor Vehicles
- People with disabilities
- Rhode Island-based charitable organizations
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Vehicle Owners: $40 issuance surcharge plus $10 renewal surcharge (voluntary)
Revenue Generated
General Fund: $20 per plate issued
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Regulatory
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
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 Real Access Motivates Progress.
(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 Real Access Motivates Progress. The plates shall be designed to reference the not-for-profit entity Real Access Motivates Progress.
(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 Real Access Motivates Progress motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by Real Access Motivates Progress in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.
(d) The Real Access Motivates Progress 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 Real Access Motivates Progress plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by Real Access Motivates Progress 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, Real Access Motivates Progress 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 Real Access Motivates Progress to support accessibility programs and initiatives.
(h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to Real Access Motivates Progress.
(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Real Access Motivates Progress plates, Real Access Motivates Progress must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.
(j) Real Access Motivates Progress will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.
(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Real Access Motivates Progress plates.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.
31-3-132. Special plate for the Real Access Motivates Progress.
(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 Real Access Motivates Progress. The plates shall be designed to reference the not-for-profit entity Real Access Motivates Progress.
(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 Real Access Motivates Progress motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by Real Access Motivates Progress in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.
(d) The Real Access Motivates Progress 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 Real Access Motivates Progress plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by Real Access Motivates Progress 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, Real Access Motivates Progress 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 Real Access Motivates Progress to support accessibility programs and initiatives.
(h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to Real Access Motivates Progress.
(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Real Access Motivates Progress plates, Real Access Motivates Progress must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.
(j) Real Access Motivates Progress will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.
(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Real Access Motivates Progress plates.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.