The bill amends Section 31-6-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-6 entitled "Registration Fees" to update provisions related to disabled veterans. It specifies that veterans who have been honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability rating of 100% or are considered "individually unemployable" due to their service-connected disability are exempt from paying any fee for the annual registration of and a license to operate their motor vehicle. Additionally, the bill increases the gross weight limit for commercial vehicles eligible for "Disabled Veteran" registration plates from 6,300 pounds to 12,000 pounds.

The bill also introduces new provisions for the transfer of "Disabled Veteran" registration plates. It allows these plates to be transferred to the veteran's spouse upon certification that the veteran is no longer able to operate a vehicle. Furthermore, upon the death of the initial registrant, the plates may be transferred to the surviving spouse for their lifetime or until they remarry. The bill clarifies that only one set of "Disabled Veteran" plates shall be issued to an eligible veteran or their spouse, and eligibility must be certified by the Veterans’ Administration or through other satisfactory documentation. The act will take effect upon passage and also permits disabled veterans to be issued more than one set of disabled veteran license plates under certain conditions.

Statutes affected:
946  SUB A: 31-6-8
946: 31-6-8