Eliminates the registration and service charge fees for National Guard plates.
Summary
S0915 amends Rhode Island’s vehicle registration law governing National Guard license plates. Under current law, the Division of Motor Vehicles may issue special “National Guard” plates to active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard, with a $20 service charge and a $5 transfer charge. The bill removes those fees, so eligible applicants would receive the plates without paying the registration fee or service charge.
The bill also retains the existing structure of the special plate program, including eligibility for active and retired Guard members certified by the adjutant general, the plate design requirements, and the emergency driving privilege for active members in vehicles bearing the special plate during a state of emergency. The measure takes effect upon passage.
Impact
This bill would amend Section 31-3-62 of the Rhode Island General Laws, changing the fee provisions for National Guard plates by eliminating the registration and service charges. It would reduce or remove costs for eligible active and retired Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard members seeking these specialty plates, while leaving the underlying plate authorization and emergency travel exemption in place. The bill also directs that the applicant not be required to pay a registration fee or service charge for the plates, which would affect DMV administration and state revenue collections tied to these plates.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is generally favorable and noncontroversial. Its stated purpose is to provide a benefit to National Guard members by waiving fees for specialty plates, and there is no recorded committee debate or vote history indicating opposition. The bill’s caption and explanation both frame it as a straightforward fee elimination measure for a defined group of service members.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the provided materials, and there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes to show disagreement. If any concerns were raised, they would likely center on the loss of fee revenue to the state or on whether the benefit should be limited to active members, retired members, or surviving spouses, but none of those issues appear in the available record.