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 vehicle registration. It specifies that any honorably discharged veteran who has a 100% service-connected disability rating or is considered "individually unemployable" due to service-connected disability, or who has lost the use of limbs due to service, 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. If a veteran is certified as no longer able to operate a vehicle, the plates may be transferred to their spouse during the veteran's lifetime. 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 is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2694: 31-6-8