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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Walter Felag

The bill creates Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub special plates to fund veteran memorial trips, with $40 per new plate ($20 to the state general fund, $20 to the Hub) and

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of Bill: SB 3366 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

Establishes a new special motor vehicle registration plate to benefit the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, a not-for-profit organization.

Revenues from the plate support the Hub’s mission to honor veterans by providing no-cost trips to Washington, DC to visit memorials for WWII and Korean War veterans.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of special plates: The Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub plates would be available through the state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and would replace the vehicle’s standard plates while in use.

Design and approval: Plates must be the same size as standard plates, designed by the Hub in consultation with the DMV, and approved by the Rhode Island State Police.

Minimum orders: Issuance is contingent on meeting minimum pre-paid orders for the plate type, with production and distribution conditional on meeting these minimums.

Prepayment procedures: The DMV administrator must develop prepayment and other necessary procedures to implement the program.

Fees and surcharges:

An issuance surcharge of $40 per new plate.
Allocation of the $40: $20 to the state general fund, $20 to the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub to support its mission.
A renewal surcharge of $10 for each subsequent registration renewal, directed to the Hub.

Use of funds: Funds received from plate registrations must be used for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations, with annual accounting reports required before funds are distributed.

Administrative and compliance requirements: The Hub must submit an annual accounting report; the act specifies procedures to ensure funds are used for Rhode Island charities and outlines related administrative steps.

No refunds for early cancellation: If a member cancels the plate program early, no refunds are provided.

Effective date: The act takes effect six months after passage.

Who would be affected

Vehicle owners who choose to obtain the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub special plates (in addition to regular registration).

The Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, which would receive a portion of the surcharge funds and bear reporting responsibilities.

The Rhode Island Department of Administration / Division of Motor Vehicles, which would implement the plate program, manage prepayment procedures, and enforce compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: June 6, 2026.

Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.

Effective date: Six months after passage.

Administrative steps include establishing minimum order requirements, creating prepayment procedures, and requiring annual financial accounting from the Hub prior to fund distribution.

Potential impact and considerations

Public funding of veterans-related memorial trips through voluntary plate participation.

Administrative burden on the DMV to manage a special plate linked to a non-profit, including oversight of prepayment and reporting.

Revenue impact: A dedicated stream of $40 per new plate and $10 per renewal, split between the state general fund and the Hub, with ongoing annual allocations to the Hub.

Accountability: Annual financial reports required to ensure funds benefit Rhode Island charities, with no refunds if participants cancel.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page plain-language briefing for policymakers or a side-by-side comparison with other Rhode Island special plates.