S 2412Personal

Motor and Other Vehicles - Registration of Vehicles

This bill creates a commemorative Roger Williams license plate available to vehicle owners for an additional fee.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 30, 2026Committee Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

Plain-English Summary

This legislation authorizes the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles to create and issue a special license plate commemorating Roger Williams, the state's first governor. The plate will feature the state seal and a specific design. Vehicle owners can choose to purchase this plate for their automobiles or commercial vehicles by paying their regular registration fees plus an additional $30 in charges. Of the extra collected funds, $15 covers the DMV's production costs, and the remaining $15 is deposited into the state's general fund.

For younger readers

This law allows people to buy a special license plate for their car that honors Roger Williams, who was the very first leader of Rhode Island a long time ago. If a driver wants this special picture on their car instead of the normal license plate, they have to pay some extra money to the state. Some of that money pays for making the metal plates, and the rest goes to the state's bank account to help pay for other things the state needs.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Vehicle OwnersDivision of Motor VehiclesCommercial Vehicle OperatorsState Budget AdministratorsHistorians

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Vehicle Owners: $30 one-time fee plus standard registration costs

Estimated revenue

$15 per plate to General Fund

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Generates revenue for the state's general fund through a voluntary purchase rather than a mandatory tax, providing funds that can be used for public services.
Honors Roger Williams, a historical figure who championed the separation of church and state and fair dealings with Indigenous peoples, aligning with historical awareness.
Provides a mechanism for civic engagement and state pride without imposing financial burdens on low-income residents who do not wish to participate.
Diverts administrative time and resources at the Division of Motor Vehicles away from essential services to manage a cosmetic program.
Represents a performative legislative act that does not address urgent systemic issues facing the state, such as housing or healthcare.
Relies on a flat-fee structure for revenue generation, which is regressive in nature, even if the fee is voluntary.

For Conservatives

Promotes traditional history and state pride by commemorating the founding governor of Rhode Island.
Utilizes a user-fee model where costs are covered by the consumer, ensuring the program pays for itself without burdening the general taxpayer.
Contributes to the general fund through voluntary participation rather than through broad-based tax increases.
Expands government bureaucracy by requiring the Division of Motor Vehicles to manage, manufacture, and distribute an additional product line.
Represents a distraction for legislators who should be focused on cutting spending and reducing the size of government rather than creating vanity items.
Increases the complexity of the state code and administrative procedures for a non-essential purpose.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 18 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 31-3 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 31-3-131. Registration plate to honor Governor Roger Williams.

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available a motor vehicle registration plate commemorating Governor Roger Williams as the first governor of what became the State of Rhode Island. The plate shall bear the designation “Governor Roger Williams” and a design provided by the division, and shall bear the seal of the state imprinted on it. The 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 original registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and 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 plate.

(b) An automobile or commercial commemorative Governor Roger Williams plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by the administrator upon payment in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee.

(c) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Governor Roger Williams plates shall be subject to payment of a service charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate, of which fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be deposited to the division of motor vehicles for its costs in manufacturing and distributing the plates, and the remainder shall be deposited into the general fund.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect six (6) months after passage.