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SB 2414

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION FEES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 8 co-sponsors

The bill exempts eligible disabled veterans from annual registration and license fees and allows transferability of “Disabled Veteran” plates to spouses under specified conditions.

06/19/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 2414

Summary of Rhode Island Bill SB 2414 (2026) — Registration Fees

Purpose and Intent

SB 2414 introduces changes to Rhode Island’s motor vehicle registration fee framework by addressing the treatment of disabled veterans. The bill aims to improve accessibility and flexibility for disabled veterans and their spouses with respect to vehicle registration plates, and clarifies the transferability of “Disabled Veteran” license plates in certain circumstances.

Key Provisions

  • Section 31-6-8 (Disabled veterans) is amended to specify exemptions and plate issuance:

    • (a) Exemption from registration and license fees:
    • Eligible veterans who are honorably discharged and who meet one of the following criteria receive an exemption from the annual motor vehicle registration fee and license:
      • Has lost one or both arms, hands, feet, or legs through service or due to service-connected injuries, or has permanently lost the use of one or more limbs due to service-related injuries.
      • Has a combined service-connected disability rating of 100%, or is considered "unemployable" due to service-connected disability (individual unemployability).
      • Eligibility must be evidenced by suitable documentation, including:
      • Documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) establishing the above conditions, or
      • Documentation related to a motor vehicle grant under Public Law 87-0 (specifically 870-2D) (as referenced in the bill text).
    • (b) Issuance and transferability of “Disabled Veteran” plates:
    • The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must issue designated “Disabled Veteran” plates for use on an automobile or a commercial vehicle with a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less.
    • Transferability conditions:
      • If the veteran is no longer able to operate a vehicle, the “Disabled Veteran” plates may be transferred to the veteran’s spouse during the spouse’s lifetime (subsection (b)(1)).
      • Upon the death of the initial registrant, the plates may be transferred to the surviving spouse for the spouse’s lifetime or until the spouse remarries (subsection (b)(2)).
      • Only one set of “Disabled Veteran” plates shall be issued to an eligible veteran and/or their spouse under these transfer provisions (subsection (b)(3)).
    • Eligibility verification:
      • A set of the plates may be issued only after certification of eligibility from the VA or other satisfactory documentation of eligibility.

  • Section 2 (Effective date):

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Eligible disabled veterans who qualify for a 100% service-connected disability or individual unemployability and who meet the loss criteria (amputation or permanent loss of use) would be exempt from annual registration fees and license fees for a qualifying vehicle.
  • Eligible veterans who qualify for the “Disabled Veteran” license plates, and their spouses, would have:
    • Access to “Disabled Veteran” plates for vehicles meeting the weight limit (12,000 lbs or less for the vehicle using the plate).
    • Transferability of the plates to a spouse under specified death or incapacity scenarios.
    • A single set of plates issued per eligible veteran or spouse, under the transfer rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced January 30, 2026.
  • Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.
  • Public hearings and committee actions occurred in March and April 2026, with the Senate Committee recommending passage and the bill moving to the Senate calendar by late April 2026.
  • Effective date is immediate upon passage (no delay or sunset).

Notable Details

  • The bill aligns with disability-related benefits programs by relying on VA documentation to establish eligibility.
  • It clarifies plate transferability to spouses, addressing potential future use and continuity of disabled-veteran plates beyond the original registrant.
  • The exemption applies to annual registration fees and the license to operate the vehicle, not to other potential fees or taxes.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language Q&A or a comparison with current Rhode Island law to illustrate the concrete changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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