H 7097Veterans & Military

Motor and Other Vehicles - Registration of Vehicles

This bill eliminates registration fees and service charges for license plates issued to Distinguished Service Cross recipients.

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Introduced Jan 14, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends current state law regarding vehicle registration for recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest military decoration for the United States Army. Currently, recipients are eligible for a special license plate but are required to pay standard registration fees and transfer charges. This bill removes those financial requirements, stipulating that eligible applicants will not be required to pay any registration fee or service charge for these specific plates. The waiver applies to automobiles or commercial vehicles weighing 12,000 pounds or less.

For younger readers

This law is about special license plates for soldiers who won a very important medal called the Distinguished Service Cross. Right now, if these soldiers want a license plate that shows they won this medal, they have to pay money to the state like everyone else. This new rule says that because they were brave and served the country, they will get these license plates for free. They won't have to pay the usual money to the government to put the plate on their car.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Distinguished Service Cross RecipientsVeteransSurviving Spouses of RecipientsRI Division of Motor VehiclesTaxpayers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Eliminates financial barriers for veterans who have provided distinguished service, ensuring that recognition is not dependent on one's ability to pay fees.
Demonstrates community support and gratitude for individuals who have made significant personal sacrifices for the collective good.
Provides a modest form of economic relief to a specific group of veterans who may be aging or living on fixed incomes.
Reduces state revenue available for public infrastructure and social programs by exempting a specific group from standard user fees.
Prioritizes military service over other forms of vital public service (such as teachers or social workers) regarding state benefits and fee waivers.
Creates a piecemeal approach to veteran support rather than addressing systemic issues like healthcare or housing needs for all veterans.

For Conservatives

Upholds traditional values of patriotism by honoring those who have demonstrated extraordinary heroism in service to the nation.
Reduces the financial burden of government fees on citizens, aligning with the principle of lower taxes and fewer administrative costs for individuals.
Strengthens the cultural recognition of military merit and sacrifice within the community.
Violates the user-fee principle where those who use the roads should contribute to their maintenance, shifting the cost burden to other taxpayers.
Creates a specific carve-out or "special treatment" class within the law, rather than applying laws equally to all citizens.
Establishes a precedent for waiving fees for various other groups, potentially leading to a slippery slope of revenue loss.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 3 additions · 2 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 31-3-48.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows: 31-3-48.1. Plates for recipients of Distinguished Service Cross.

(a) The administrator of motor vehicles is empowered to make available to recipients of the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross medal a special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or commercial vehicle having a gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less, indicating the owner as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross. ~~The applicant shall be required to pay a registration fee and a~~ ~~transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate.~~

(b) The plate shall contain the words “Distinguished Service Cross” across the top of the plate, shall bear an insignia for the distinguished service cross, and then a numeral or numerals.

(c) Upon the death of the holder of any “Distinguished Service Cross” plate, the plate shall be transferred to the surviving spouse for the spouse’s lifetime or until remarriage.

(d) The applicant shall not be required to pay a registration fee or service charge for the plates.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.