Skip to main content
H 7229Personal

Motor and Other Vehicles - Registration of Vehicles

This bill creates a special fundraising license plate for the non-profit organization Real Access Motivates Progress.

Signed into law67 Yea1 Nay7 Not voting
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 21, 2026Committee House Special Legislation

Plain-English Summary

This legislation authorizes the creation of a special license plate for the non-profit organization "Real Access Motivates Progress" (RAMP). Rhode Island vehicle owners can choose to purchase this plate for a $40 issuance surcharge, of which $20 goes to the state General Fund and $20 goes to RAMP. There is also a $10 surcharge on registration renewals, which goes entirely to RAMP. The bill requires a minimum number of prepaid orders before production begins and mandates that RAMP use the funds for Rhode Island-based charitable programs and submit annual financial reports.

For younger readers

This law lets people buy a special license plate for their car that supports a group called Real Access Motivates Progress (RAMP). If a driver wants this plate, they have to pay extra money. Some of that money goes to the state government, and the rest goes to RAMP to help them do good things for people in Rhode Island. The government will only make these special plates if enough people order them ahead of time.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Vehicle OwnersReal Access Motivates Progress (RAMP)Division of Motor VehiclesRhode Island State PoliceCharitable Organizations
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The Supreme Court has ruled that license plate designs constitute government speech (Walker v. Texas Div., Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc.). Therefore, the state has the authority to choose which messages or organizations it wishes to display on its license plates without violating the First Amendment, provided it does not discriminate based on viewpoint in a public forum context, which does not apply here.

Estimated cost
Vehicle Owners: $40 issuance surcharge, Vehicle Owners: $10 renewal surcharge
Estimated revenue
$20 per plate issuance to General Fund

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Generates specific funding for accessibility programs and initiatives, directly supporting the inclusion and welfare of individuals with disabilities within the community.
  • Ensures that funds raised through this program are restricted to Rhode Island-based charitable organizations, strengthening the local social safety net.
  • Provides a voluntary mechanism for citizens to financially support social justice causes without imposing mandatory regressive taxes on the general population.
  • Relies on voluntary consumerism to fund essential accessibility services, which ideally should be fully funded by the state as a guaranteed public right rather than charity.
  • Utilizes state resources and administrative time to act as a fundraising vehicle for a private entity, potentially diverting focus from broader systemic reforms.
  • Continues the trend of commercializing public property (license plates) for specific private groups rather than maintaining a uniform, public-focused standard.
For Conservatives
  • Utilizes a voluntary payment system rather than a tax increase to fund specific programs, allowing citizens to choose whether or not to participate.
  • Generates revenue for the state's General Fund through the twenty-dollar portion of the issuance surcharge, contributing to the state budget without raising taxes.
  • Mandates strict accountability and annual accounting reports from the non-profit, ensuring that the funds are used appropriately and not wasted.
  • Expands the role of the Division of Motor Vehicles beyond its core function of registration and safety, turning a government agency into a payment processor for private groups.
  • Adds administrative burdens to the state bureaucracy by requiring the development of new designs, prepayment procedures, and accounting oversight.
  • Sets a precedent for the government to pick winners and losers among non-profits by granting state-sanctioned advertising space on official government documents.

Votes

Loading votes...

Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 39 additions

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.