The bill amends Section 31-6-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-6 entitled "Registration Fees" to provide additional benefits to disabled veterans regarding the registration of their motor vehicles. It stipulates that any honorably discharged veteran who has a 100% service-connected disability rating or is considered "individually unemployable" due to their service-connected disability is exempt from paying any fees for the annual registration and license to operate their motor vehicle. The bill also allows for the issuance of "Disabled Veteran" registration plates for eligible veterans' automobiles or commercial vehicles with a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or less.

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

Statutes affected:
7538: 31-6-8