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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Walter Felag

Creates a Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub specialty license plate with a $40 issuance surcharge ($20 to state fund, $20 to the Hub) and $10 renewal surcharge, funding vet

06/06/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/09/2026)

Summary of SB 3561 (Rhode Island) – 2026

Purpose and intent

Creates a new special motor vehicle registration plate to benefit the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub.

The goal is to support the Hub’s mission of honoring veterans by offering WWII and Korean War veterans a no-cost trip to Washington, DC.

Key provisions and changes

Establishment of a Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub special plate under the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

The plate:

Replaces the vehicle’s standard registration plates and displays the same registration number.
Requires the original plates to be removed and returned to the DMV; the registration certificate for the special plate is carried in the vehicle.
Must be the same size as standard plates and designed by the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub in collaboration with the DMV, with design approval by the Rhode Island State Police.

Preconditions and production:

Plates are subject to existing minimum pre-paid order requirements for plate types and must meet these requirements before issuance.
The initial order is organized by the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub and submitted to the DMV only after minimum orders are met and proper paperwork is provided.
DMV must establish prepayment and related procedures to implement the program.

Fees and fund allocation:

An issuance surcharge of $40 is added to the regular registration fee.
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 (subsequent registration) surcharge of $10 is allocated to the Hub.

Use of funds and reporting:

Funds received from plate registrations must be used for Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.
The Hub must submit an annual accounting report before distributing funds.

Administrative and compliance details:

The plates must comply with all existing registration and plate-related rules.
No refunds are provided for early cancellation of the special plate registration.

Effective date:

The act takes effect six months after passage.

Who/what would be affected

Vehicle owners who opt for the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub special plate.

The Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub, which would receive a portion of the surcharge revenue and be responsible for design, initial plate ordering, and annual reporting.

The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which would implement the new plate, manage prepayment procedures, and ensure compliance with plate standards and statutory requirements.

Rhode Island-based charitable organizations, which would benefit indirectly from the allocated funds.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction: June 6, 2026.

Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.

Initial hearing/consideration scheduled for June 9, 2026 (as per action history).

Implementation timeline: six months after passage for the act to take effect.

Administrative steps include establishing prepayment procedures, meeting minimum plate orders, and annual financial reporting by the Hub.

Notes

The bill does not alter existing registration fees except for the new $40 issuance surcharge and the $10 renewal surcharge for subsequent years.

The design and approval process involves collaboration between the Hub, the DMV, and the State Police for compliance.

The funding mechanism emphasizes support for veterans and Rhode Island-based charitable activities.