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HB 5376

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Boylan and 4 co-sponsors

Creates a Rhode Island colon cancer awareness specialty license plate whose surcharges fund the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island.

05/23/2025 Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
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Bill Summary · HB 5376

Summary — HB 5376: Special Motor Vehicle Plate for Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island

Status: Passed House 05/20/2025; referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs 05/23/2025
Filed/Introduced: March 14, 2025 (sponsors listed in bill: Reps. Donovan, Speakman, Carson, Boylan, Spears)

Purpose / Intent

Creates a special motor vehicle license plate program to raise awareness of colon cancer and to generate funds for the not‑for‑profit Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island (a qualified 501(c)(3)). The bill adds a new statutory section (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 31-3, §31-3-130) authorizing and governing issuance of the plate.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes a “Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island” specialty plate designed to increase colon cancer awareness. The nonprofit will design the plate in coordination with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV); design must be approved by the Rhode Island State Police.
  • Specialty plates replace the vehicle’s original registration plates, use the same registration number, and the registration certificate for the plates must be carried in the vehicle (§31-3-9).
  • Plates must meet minimum prepaid-order requirements under §31-3-117 and will not be produced until those minimums and required paperwork are satisfied; the nonprofit will handle the initial order and prepayment process.
  • DMV must develop prepayment and other necessary administrative procedures.
  • Fiscal terms:
    • One‑time issuance surcharge: $40 (in addition to regular registration fees).
    • $20 of the $40 is deposited to the state general fund.
    • $20 is distributed annually to the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island.
    • Renewal surcharge: $10 per subsequent registration renewal, allocated to the Partnership.
  • The nonprofit must use Rhode Island‑sourced funds for the benefit of Rhode Island‑based charitable organizations to raise colon cancer awareness.
  • The nonprofit must submit an annual accounting report before distributions are made.
  • No refunds will be issued for early cancellation of the specialty plate.

Who/what is affected

  • Vehicle owners who choose to purchase the specialty plate (will pay the additional surcharges).
  • The Division of Motor Vehicles and Rhode Island State Police (design approval, administration).
  • State general fund (receives $20 of issuance surcharge).
  • The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island and Rhode Island‑based charitable organizations focused on colon cancer awareness (receive funds and must account for their use).

Administrative / Procedural notes

  • Plates subject to existing statutory minimum order rules and associated timelines; DMV to set prepayment procedures.
  • The act takes effect upon passage.
  • Legislative movement: public hearings and subcommittee consideration occurred in April 2025; committee ultimately recommended passage in mid‑May 2025 before House passage.

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

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