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S 2986Alcohol

Alcoholic Beverages - Regulation of Sales

Prohibits holding out-of-state IDs while holding a RI ID and changes vehicle title designations from "re-constructed" to "rebuilt salvage."

Held for study
Population
Affected
25
Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation updates Rhode Island's motor vehicle laws regarding identification cards, driver's licenses, and salvage vehicles. It explicitly prohibits the issuance of a Rhode Island ID card to anyone who currently holds a driver's license or ID card from another state or territory. Applicants for a Rhode Island license must surrender any out-of-state licenses or IDs. Additionally, the bill changes the legal terminology for vehicles that have been restored after being declared salvage; instead of being titled as "re-constructed," they will now be designated as "rebuilt salvage" to provide clearer information about the vehicle's history.

For younger readers

This new law changes some rules for drivers and car owners. First, it says that a person cannot get a Rhode Island ID card or driver's license if they already have one from another state. They have to give up the card from the other state to get a new one here. Second, it changes the name given to a car that was badly broken in an accident but fixed up to drive again. Instead of calling it "re-constructed," the paperwork will now say "rebuilt salvage" so people know exactly what happened to the car.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
New Rhode Island residentsUsed car buyersSalvage vehicle restorersDual-state residentsDMV applicants
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Increases consumer protection by labeling restored vehicles as "rebuilt salvage" rather than "re-constructed," providing buyers with clearer, more honest information about a vehicle's history.
  • Formalizes the acceptance of driver privilege cards (often used by undocumented immigrants) as valid proof of age for purchasing alcohol, reinforcing their legitimacy as identification.
  • Enhances the integrity of the state identification system by ensuring individuals do not hold conflicting documents from multiple jurisdictions, potentially reducing administrative errors.
  • Creates bureaucratic hurdles for transient populations, such as students or temporary workers, who may face difficulties surrendering home-state identification to obtain local credentials.
  • May impose additional time and travel costs on lower-income individuals who move between states and must constantly re-apply for and surrender physical identification cards.
  • Strengthens the state's tracking of individuals by forcing a single-state registration status, which some civil libertarians may view as an unnecessary restriction on personal documentation.
For Conservatives
  • Reduces the risk of identity fraud and "double dipping" in state benefits or voting registries by mandating that individuals can only hold one valid state ID or license at a time.
  • Promotes transparency and market fairness in the used car industry by requiring "rebuilt salvage" branding, protecting consumers from misleading vehicle descriptions.
  • Streamlines government efficiency by aligning Rhode Island's licensing practices with other states that prohibit dual licensure.
  • Restricts personal liberty by dictating that a citizen cannot choose to maintain valid identification in two different states simultaneously, even if they own property in both.
  • Increases regulatory red tape for law-abiding citizens (such as "snowbirds") who split their time between Rhode Island and other states.
  • Expands the power of the DMV administrator to demand the surrender of personal property (out-of-state documents) before providing services.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 19 additions · 4 deletions

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 3-8-6 and 3-8-6.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-8 entitled "Regulation of Sales" are hereby amended to read as follows: 3-8-6. Unlawful drinking and misrepresentation by underage persons — Identification cards for persons twenty-one and older.

(a) It is unlawful for:

(1) A person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday to enter any premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for the purpose of purchasing or having served or delivered to him or her alcoholic beverages; or

(2) A person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday to consume any alcoholic beverage on premises licensed for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages or to purchase, attempt to purchase, or have another purchase for him or her any alcoholic beverage; or

(3) A person to misrepresent or misstate his or her age, or the age of any other persons, or to misrepresent his or her age through the presentation of any of the following documents:

(i) An armed service identification card, valid passport, the identification card license, or any other documentation used for identification purposes that may belong to any other person who is twenty-one (21) years or older;

(ii) A motor vehicle operator’s license or a driver privilege card issued pursuant to § 31- 10.4-2 that bears the date of birth of the licensee and that is issued by this state or any other state;

(iii) A Rhode Island identification card, as defined in subsection (b), for the purpose of inducing any licensee, or any employee of any licensee, to sell, serve, or deliver any alcoholic beverage to a minor. (b)(1) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue to any person who has reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday a Rhode Island identification card upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25), and, upon presentation of a certified birth or baptismal certificate, or U.S. or foreign passport, or U.S. naturalization certificate or a valid immigrant or refugee document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, including, but not limited to, any one of the following: Form I-551, Form I-94, Form I-688A, Form I-688, and a form evidencing that the applicant is a current or past recipient of a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, together with a document bearing the applicant’s signature.

(2) A person who has reached his or her fifty-ninth (59th) birthday is not required to pay the fee.

(3) Each registration card shall be subject to renewal every five (5) years upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25).

(4) No person who holds an operator’s license or, a driver privilege card, or an identification card issued by this state or any other state or territory of the United States shall be issued a Rhode Island identification card.

(5) The identification card shall be signed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and by the applicant and his or her picture shall appear on the card along with the required information and the card shall be encased in laminated plastic. The card shall be two inches (2″) in height and four inches (4″) in length and shall be printed in the following form: RHODE ISLAND IDENTIFICATION CARD Date Issued No. First Name Middle Name Last Name Address BIRTH RECORD Month Day Year Secure Photo by Pasting here Color of hair Color of eyes Sex Ht Wt. ………… ………… …… …… …… Issued by Administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator

(6) The identification cards shall be produced at the adult correctional institutions if they have facilities to do so; if the adult correctional institutions have no facilities to do so, then all cards shall be manufactured by the lowest responsible bidder following advertisement for the solicitation of bids.

(7) The identification cards shall be clearly distinguishable from those issued pursuant to § 3-8-6.1 and operators’ and chauffeurs’ licenses issued pursuant to title 31.

(8) Any person who has been designated as permanently and totally disabled by the social security administration or who upon certification by an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or physician that a holder of a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license is no longer able to operate a motor vehicle, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue to such person, upon request, a Rhode Island identification card for the unexpired term of the person’s motor vehicle operator’s license at no additional cost. Thereafter, a renewal of such card shall be subject to the standard renewal charge of twenty-five dollars ($25) until the person shall reach his or her fifty- ninth (59th) birthday.

(9) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, upon presentation of a United States Department of Defense (DD) FORM 214 or other acceptable documentation of military service and verification of an honorable discharge, issue an identification card to the presenter that is clearly marked “veteran,” at no additional cost. (c)(1) Every retail Class A, B, C, and D licensee shall cause to be kept a book or photographic reproduction equipment that provides the same information as required by the book. That licensee or the licensee’s employee shall require any person who has shown a document as set forth in this section substantiating his or her age to sign that book or to permit the taking of his or her photograph and indicate what document was presented. Use of the photographic reproduction equipment is voluntary for every Class A, B, C, and D licensee.

(2) The sign-in-as-minor book and photographic reproduction equipment shall be prescribed, published, and approved at the direction and control of the division. The book shall contain at least four hundred (400) pages; shall be uniform throughout the state; and shall be distributed at a cost not to exceed seven dollars ($7.00).

(3) If a person whose age is in question signs the sign-in-as-minor book or has a photograph taken before he or she is sold any alcoholic beverage and it is later determined that the person had not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday at the time of sale, it is considered prima facie evidence that the licensee and/or the licensee’s agent or servant acted in good faith in selling any alcoholic beverage to the person producing the document as set forth in this section misrepresenting his or her age.

(4) Proof of good-faith reliance on any misrepresentation is a defense to the prosecution of the licensee and/or the licensee’s agent or servant for an alleged violation of this section. (d)(1) Any person who violates this section shall be punished for the first offense by a mandatory fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) and shall be further punished by thirty (30) hours of community service and shall be further punished by a suspension of his or her motor vehicle operator’s license or driving privileges for a period of thirty (30) days; for the second offense by a mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) and shall be further punished by forty (40) hours of community service and will be further punished by a suspension of his or her motor vehicle operator’s license or driving privileges for a period of three (3) months; and for the third and subsequent offenses by a mandatory fine for each offense of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and shall be further punished by fifty (50) hours of community service and will be further punished by a suspension of his or her motor vehicle operator’s license or driving privileges for a period of one year.

(2) Any suspension of an operator’s license or driving privilege pursuant to this section shall not operate to affect the insurance rating of the offender and any operator’s license or driving privilege suspended pursuant to this section shall be reinstated without further expense upon application.

(e) Within thirty (30) days after this incident the police chief of the city or town where the incident took place is directed to inform, in writing, the department of business regulation whether or not charges in accordance with this section have been preferred against a person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday and has violated this section. If no charge is brought against any person who has not reached his or her twenty-first (21st) birthday and has violated the provisions of this section, then the police chief of the city or town where the incident took place will state the reason for his or her failure to charge the person who has not reached his or her twenty- first (21st) birthday.

(f) The Rhode Island identification card may be withdrawn at any time for just cause, at the discretion of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall keep a record of the cards issued and each card shall contain an identification number specifically assigned to the person to whom the card was issued.

(g) Issuance of a Rhode Island identification card under this section to a current or past recipient of a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program shall not confer the right to vote in the state of Rhode Island. 3-8-6.1. Identification cards for persons under the age of 21. (a)(1) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue to any person upon request, who is under twenty-one (21) years of age, an identification card upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), and, upon presentation of a certified birth or baptismal certificate, or U.S. or foreign passport, or U.S. naturalization certificate, or a valid immigrant or refugee document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services including, but not limited to, any one of the following: Form I-551, Form I-94, Form I-688A, Form I-688, and a form evidencing that the applicant is a current or past recipient of a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, together with a document bearing the applicant’s signature. No person who holds an operator’s license or, a driver privilege card, or an identification card issued by this state or any other state or territory of the United States, shall be issued an identification card.

(2) The identification card shall be subject to renewal every five (5) years upon the payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

(3) The identification card shall be signed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and also by the applicant, and his or her picture shall appear on the card along with the required information and the card shall be encased in laminated plastic. The card shall be two inches (2″) in height and four inches (4″) in length and shall be printed in the following form: IDENTIFICATION CARD Date Issued No. First Name Middle Name Last Name Address BIRTH RECORD Month Day Year Secure Photo by Pasting here Color of hair Color of eyes Sex Ht Wt. ………… ………… …… …… …… Issued by Administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator

(4) The identification cards shall be produced at the adult correctional institution if they have facilities to do so; if the adult correctional institutions have no facilities to do so, then all cards shall be manufactured by the lowest responsible bidder following advertisement for the solicitation of bids.

(5) The identification cards shall be clearly distinguishable from those issued pursuant to § 3-8-6 and operators’ and chauffeurs’ licenses issued pursuant to title 31.

(b) The identification card may be withdrawn at any time for just cause, at the discretion of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall keep a record of the cards issued and each card shall contain an identification number specifically assigned to the person to whom the card was issued.

(c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, upon presentation of a United States Department of Defense (DD) FORM 214 or other acceptable documentation of military service and verification of an honorable discharge, issue an identification card to the presenter that is clearly marked “veteran,” at no additional cost.

(d) Issuance of a Rhode Island identification card under this section to a current or past recipient of a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program shall not confer the right to vote in the state of Rhode Island.

SECTION 2. Section 31-10-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators’ and Chauffeurs’ Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: 31-10-1. License required to drive.

(a) No person, except those expressly exempted in this chapter, shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless that person has a valid license as an operator or chauffeur under the provisions of this chapter. No person shall receive an operator’s license unless and until he or she surrenders to the division of motor vehicles all valid operators’ licenses and identification cards in his or her possession issued to that person by this state or any other jurisdiction state or territory of the United States. All surrendered licenses shall be returned by the division of motor vehicles to the issuer together with the information that the licensee is now licensed in this state. No person shall be permitted to have more than one valid operator’s license at any time. Any resident as defined under § 31-1-18 shall be required to obtain a Rhode Island operator’s or chauffeur’s license within thirty (30) days of establishing residency.

(b) No person shall drive a motor vehicle as a chauffeur unless he or she holds a valid chauffeur’s license. No person shall receive a chauffeur’s license unless and until he or she surrenders to the division of motor vehicles any operator’s license issued to him or her, or an affidavit that he or she does not possess an operator’s license.

(c) Any person holding a valid chauffeur’s license under this chapter need not procure an operator’s license.

(d) Any person licensed as an operator or chauffeur under this chapter may exercise the privilege granted by that license upon all streets and highways in this state, and shall not be required to obtain any other license to exercise that privilege by any county, municipal, or local board, or by any body having authority to adopt local police regulations.

SECTION 3. Section 31-46-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-46 entitled "Rhode Island Salvage Law" is hereby amended to read as follows: 31-46-4. Restoration. If a motor vehicle is restored for operation on the highways, application shall be made to the division of motor vehicles for a certificate of title. Upon inspection by the division of motor vehicles, which shall include establishing proof of ownership, and upon the surrender of the salvage certificate of title, the division of motor vehicles shall issue a certificate of title for a fee prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. The certificate of title shall be in the same form and color as the original certificate and bear the same number as the salvage certificate and the original certificate and shall bear the word “re-constructed rebuilt salvage” on the title. A fee of fifty-five dollars ($55.00) shall be assessed for each inspection made pursuant to this section.

SECTION 4. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect upon passage and section 3 shall take effect six (6) months after passage.