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HB 6148

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joseph McNamara

RI adds a mandatory AHEPA specialty plate with design, surcharges ($40 initial, $10 renewals), and funds split between the state and AHEPA for charitable activities.

06/25/2025 Effective without Governor's signature
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Bill Summary · HB 6148

Summary — HB 6148 (RI) — Special Motor Vehicle Plate for American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA)

Status: Enacted; effective June 25, 2025 (effective six months after passage).
Introduced by: Rep. Joseph M. McNamara. Bill adds R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-130.

Purpose

Authorize the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to offer a special motor vehicle registration plate for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), establish design, ordering, fee, and distribution rules, and direct proceeds to the state general fund and AHEPA-supported charitable activities in Rhode Island.

Key provisions

  • Creates R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-130 authorizing AHEPA special plates.
  • Plate design: to be designed by AHEPA in conjunction with the DMV and approved by the Rhode Island State Police; plate will be standard size and replace the vehicle’s original registration plates.
  • Ordering requirements: plates are subject to the minimum prepaid order requirements under § 31-3-117 (by plate type). Initial orders are handled by AHEPA and will not be produced until minimum orders and required paperwork are submitted. DMV must develop prepayment and other necessary procedures.
  • Fees/surcharges:
    • In addition to regular registration fees, a $40 issuance surcharge applies to AHEPA plates.
    • Allocation of issuance surcharge: $20 to the state general fund; $20 distributed annually to AHEPA to support promotion of Hellenic ideals (education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, community service).
    • A $10 surcharge on subsequent registration renewals is allocated to AHEPA.
  • Use and accountability:
    • AHEPA must use Rhode Island–sourced funds for the benefit of Rhode Island–based charitable organizations.
    • AHEPA must submit an annual accounting report prior to distribution of monies.
  • Miscellaneous: no refunds for early cancellation of AHEPA plates.

Who is affected

  • Rhode Island vehicle owners who opt for the AHEPA specialty plate (will pay the additional surcharges).
  • The DMV (administration, production, and prepayment procedures).
  • State general fund (receives $20 from each initial plate issuance).
  • AHEPA and Rhode Island charitable organizations (receive designated surcharge revenues).
  • Rhode Island State Police (design approval role).

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Generates incremental revenue: $20 per initial plate to the general fund; $20 per initial plate plus $10 per renewal to AHEPA (distributed subject to reporting and use restrictions).
  • Administrative workload for DMV to implement ordering, prepayment, production thresholds, and to coordinate design approval and revenue distribution.
  • Potential program costs (production/administration) are not specified in the bill.

Timeline / Effective date

  • The statute takes effect six months after passage; legislative records indicate the measure became effective June 25, 2025.

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

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